Taiwanology

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

COP30 wrapped in Belém after two weeks, and the final deal landed with a weak punch. No fossil-fuel phaseout, no major breakthrough. So what does this outcome mean? And with Taiwan hosting an unprecedented pavilion in the Green Zone, what role is Taiwan carving out in global climate politics? In this episode, I speak with climate scientist Rachel Cleetus and NGO worker Jack Huang to break it down.3:08 — Is clean energy development on track for 1.5°C?8:10 — Why doesn’t Taiwan have a country pavilion?11:38 — How did Taiwan secure a presence in the Green Zone?15:10 — Why should Taiwan care about COP at all?22:15 — Why the climate crisis isn’t a zero-sum gameHost: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: Rachel Cleetus, Union of Concerned Scientists and Jack Huang, Project Coordinator of United Nations OICTProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read our COP30 coverage： https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4446＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

In September, U.S. Customs hit Taiwan's Giant with a Withhold Release Order—the first ever against a Taiwanese company—blocking its bikes from entering the U.S. over alleged forced labor. The move puts over US$1 billion in exports at risk and exposes gaps between Taiwan’s labor laws and global standards. What must Taiwan do to rebuild trust in its supply chains?3:30 – Why is the broker system a high-risk factor for forced labor?6:28 – What steps can Giant take to resume U.S. exports?10:55 – Why is there a gap between Taiwan’s labor laws and global standards?12:50 – What actions should Taiwanese companies take to improve?20:50 – Story of an employer who covers recruitment fees for her worker.Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: CC Wu, trade compliance consultant of PwC TaiwanProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read about Taiwan's migrant workers：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3597＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting

As the world marks two years since the October 7 conflict, peace feels more distant than ever. Israeli peace educator Roi Silberberg and Palestinian scholar Hazem Almassry share deeply personal stories—from childhood in Gaza to life in a shared Jewish-Arab village. They reflect on Gaza’s devastation, Israel’s militarized “normal,” and Taiwan’s own security, arguing that peace begins not with agreements, but with dialogue.03:00 — Hazem’s childhood in Gaza and path to Taiwan09:50 — Roi’s journey into peace education20:15 — Family under siege: Hazem's life and loss in Gaza30:56 — The fellows' Kinmen visit and Taiwan’s “front line” identity35:00 — The power in the choice of word "genocide"Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuests: Hazem Almassry, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Academia SinicaRoi Silberberg, Director of School for PeaceProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang＊Read about Taiwan： https://english.cw.com.tw＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.twPowered by Firstory Hosting