Taiwanology

For decades, Taiwan has been known as the “Bicycle Kingdom.” But it is now under mounting pressure. From the rapid rise of China’s e-bike giants to a growing push in Europe to reshore manufacturing, Taiwan’s bike industry is entering a period of change. How can it navigate this new landscape?Episode highlights:04:20 How Taiwan became the “Bicycle Kingdom”07:20 Why China is not the only challenge facing Taiwan’s bike industry12:30 Bridging traditional manufacturing with ICT capabilities21:35 How Taiwan should respond to Europe’s reshoring push25:10 Why more Taiwanese companies are becoming open to change27:05 Adapting to the emerging e-bike ecosystem33:20 Why Anchor Global is launching an Industry Lab with Walmart as the pilot caseHost: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: Elisa Chiu, founder of Anchor GlobalProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4684＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

Is artificial intelligence a threat to human agency, or an opportunity for civic innovation? 2025 Right Livelihood Laureate and Taiwan Cyber Ambassador Audrey Tang discusses the shift from algorithms to symbiotic "local Kami" AI. Find out why she has no fear for AI agents and OpenClaw. It’s a masterclass in staying human in a world of synthetic intimacy, with one life hack that will help you sleep better.[05:46] How Audrey "translated" the Taiwan model to be adopted in California[09:40] How her book inspired Anno to run for Tokyo Governor[12:05] What do "Civic AI" and "6 Pack of Care" have to do with AI anxiety?[14:20] How Civic AI principles played out in Taiwan's combat on fraud[20:50] Why conflict is not a bug but a power source[24:15] When AI agents do all the jobs, what's left for humans?Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: Audrey Tang, Taiwan Cyber AmbassadorProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read more on Audrey’s take on AI: https://civic.ai/＊Read more on Audrey’s take on AI: https://civic.ai/openclaw/＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

As China becomes increasingly opaque, how can Taiwan maintain a clear-eyed perspective? We are joined by Professor Tao to dissect the China Monitoring Report by Thinking Taiwan Foundation. They move past the headlines to analyze 50 indicators across economy, finance, and society, revealing a dual-speed reality and rising systemic social unrest.[03:00] Thinking Taiwan 2.0: Former President Tsai Ing-wen’s platform for policy analysis[05:53] The 50-Indicator Framework[16:16] Dual-Speed Economy: Record exports vs. trapped savings[20:30] How China’s low consumption triggers global de-industrialization[22:05] Record-low birth rates and the rise of "systemic unfairness" grievances[30:50] Why Xi prioritizes military/tech over social welfare stimulusHost: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: Yifen Tao, Associate Professor of National Taiwan UniversityProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

Is Taiwan’s biggest ally still reliable? For years, the U.S. and Taiwan were "best friends" because of democracy. But now, the conversation has changed to "protection fees" and business deals. This shift is creating a wave of U.S. skepticism across the island. We look at why people in Taiwan feel anxious and what happens to Taiwan’s security when friendship becomes a transaction.[00:34] Why Taiwan’s mood is a global warning sign.[01:43] The "might makes right" dynamic at Davos.[07:33] The shift from "shared values" to "protection fees."[11:43] Understanding the gap between anxiety and trust.[18:24] Is moving chip capacity to the U.S. a dangerous move?[34:47] The U.S. warning: Pay more to be "worth defending."Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: William Yang, Senior Analyst of the International Crisis GroupProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

There is historic shift in Europe-Taiwan ties. From Ukraine war to the "Trump factor," we examine why Brussels is looking past old constraints of its One China policy. A new paper asks if Taiwan can turn symbolic support into economic substance Europe now needs for resilience.01:50 - The explosion in Taiwan-EU interactions04:00 - How global instability sobered up EU policy toward Taiwan17:20 - Mapping 30 nations' attitudes23:30 - Why EU leaders are vocal about Taiwan28:10 - The shift from symbolism to economic security34:10 - Why Taiwan must move from a subject of debate to an active partnerHost: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuests: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Visiting Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European StudiesMatej Šimalčík, Executive Director of Central European Institute of Asian StudiesProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4394＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting