Taiwan This Week

On this week's show we have a local election special roundtable organized by ICRT and the European Chamber Of Commerce Taiwan. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk election candidates being banned from running, allegations Beijing is influencing voters, Sports Minister Lee Yang refusing to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games in Japan and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk what's happening the Taipei mayoral election, China for sanctioning ministers from Belize and Paraguay over Taiwan ties and labor groups urging the government to raise the mandatory employer contribution rate under the new labor pension system. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the a new legislative session and debate on Taiwan-US-China ties continuing following a meeting between Donald Trump and China's Xi jinping. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visiting Italy, Taiwan likely on the agenda when China's Xi Jinping travels to Washington D.C. and what an AI development slowdown would mean for Taiwan. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest news about the upcoming local elections, new China travel registration rules and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a budget bill that prioritizes indigenous UAVs, moves to amend the Referendum Act put in hold, the Pacific Islands Forum and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the central government's 2027's spending plan, little reaction to the US scaling back joint military exercises with an Asian ally, the Premier once again refusing to countersign legislation and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the Han Kuang exercises wrapping-up, the Ministry of Digital Affairs confirming that overseas hackers target government agencies in July and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a NT$3.6 trillion central government budget; Chinese companies operating illegally in Taiwan; the annual Ketagalan Forum and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk upcoming military exercises, cross-strait communications and a diplomatic spat with Papua New Guinea. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest news about contaminated cooking oil, reactions to mobile Internet disruptions during the upcoming urban resilience exercises and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk cooking oil found to contain excessive levels of a carcinogen, reactions to the assault of a political commentator and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the government reacting to a new Chinese law, competing drone procurement bills and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk an interview sparking explanations of cross-strait normalcy, calls for mandated prison sentences for draft dodgers and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk moves by Beijing to claim ownership of waters east of Taiwan, possible stricter export controls on AI chip sales to China and guidelines on AI-generated content in the media. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan being included in an initial US listing of forced labor tariffs, Computex Taipei taking place with AI in focus and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk proposals to boost child benefit, Cheng Li-wun's trip to the US, the High Speed Rail suffering a major glitch and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a mid-term address, continuing fallout from US President Donald Trump's China trip, an award winning Taiwanese literary work and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the Trump-Xi meeting and Taiwan, fallout from passage of a watered down special defense budget bill and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te traveling to Eswatini on a rather special airplane, Taiwan likely to be a topic of conversation between US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping next week, a rat problem and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te's nixed state visit to Eswatini, the central government's general budget plan moving forward after more than six months in limbo and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun returning from her China trip, President Lai Ching-te being slated to visit Eswatini later this month and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's visit to China, the DPP's shortlist for its Taipei mayoral candidates, fears of a plastic bag shortage and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan People's Party founder and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je being sentenced to 17 years in prison, heated debate about the possible restarting of nuclear power plants, Employment Gold Cards and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the KMT and the Taiwan People's Party approving a pact for November's ballots, the continuing dispute over the status of a lawmaker-at-large, the latest on a designation spat with South Korea and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the premier making a brief trip to Japan on his day off that raised some ire feelings, a sharp decline in Chinese military flights near Taiwan, revisions to the Meteorological Act and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the government's reaction to the US-Israel war on Iran, dueling defense budgets; scores of people being indicted in the Prince Holding Group case and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the signing of a Taiwan-US trade deal, experts touting Sanae Takaichi's election victory as being good news for Taiwan, a movie adaptation of unsolved murders causing controversy and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a briefing to lawmakers on weapons procurement plans, Taiwan's trade negotiating team meeting the press and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan and the US finalizing a trade deal, questions over the special defense budget, and plans to create a 'smoke-free city' in Taipei. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk about worries concerning a possible decapitation strike, the ongoing central government budget stand-off, a pulled talk show slated to be hosted by former President Chen Shui-bian and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk China's latest military exercises around Taiwan. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk some of the top stories from here in Taiwan in 2025. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a large US arms sale to Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai's refusal to enact legislation giving local government's more money, a presidential pre-recorded address; cross-strait tourism issues and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the government's strong reaction to South Korea's newly launched e-Arrival card system; Tsai Ing-wen talking the need for a solar power policy 2.0, government agencies justifying a decision to block Chinese social media app, Xiaohongshu for a year and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest news concerning next year's city and county elections from the north and the south. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te's proposal for a NT$1.25trillion special defense budget, the ongoing China-Japan spat over Taiwan from a Taiwan perspective and criticism of ruling handed down by the High Court in child sex images case. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the vice president addressing the European Parliament, the legislative speaker calling out the president over China's threats against a DPP lawmaker, the KMT's leader courting controversy by attending a memorial event and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the KMT getting a new leader, a legislative showdown over proposals to amend civil service pension reforms, the latest news about the African swine fever outbreak and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan not being on the agenda of a big meeting in South Korea, an African swine fever outbreak and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the KMT electing a new chairperson amid claims of outside meddling, Nvidia's plans for a new headquarters in Taipei facing problems, a YouTuber being under investigation for talking about a beheading and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk 50/50 semiconductor production, the Hualien clean-up operation and the foreign minister's busy few days. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Typhoon Ragasa, United Nations recognition, the line-up for the KMT's leadership election and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the alarming Meinong Grand Canyon, an updated version of a civil defense handbook, a proposal for the creation of a two-round absolute majority system for choosing the next president and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Ko Wen-je being released on bail after just over a year in detention, President Lai Ching-te's lengthy interview with the Liberty Times, the Cabinet inaugurating the Ministry of Sports and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the final batch of recall votes failing to unseat any KMT lawmakers, Premier Cho Jung-tai announcing a new Cabinet and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the final batch of recalls targeting KMT lawmakers, a referendum on whether to extend the service of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, approval of an environmental impact assessment report to extend bullet train services to Yilan and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Premier Cho Jung-tai vowing to improve communications, a reversal of opposition against a cash handout, the return of the Taipei rainbow crosswalk and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a visit by a former UK prime minister, chip tariffs, a record liquefied natural gas deal and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan's exports to the US being subject to a 20% tariff; the failure of the biggest batch of Great Recall votes, claims and denials about a planned overseas trip by President Lai Ching-te and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk this weekend's recall votes targeting 24 KMT lawmakers and one city mayor. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk tariffs returning to the headlines and the latest news about the upcoming recalls. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a new expanded type of air raid warning exercise, the vice president's reaction to news she was targeted by Beijing during an overseas trip, mental health leave for civil servants and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te beginning a 10 speech tour, the latest news about the pending recalls and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the Narwhal submarine leaving port for sea trials, opposition party leaders refusing to attend a national security briefing, a couple of trips to China raising some ire feelings and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Chinese espionage investigations focusing on political party members, the Cabinet taking steps to make it easier for foreigners to work in Taiwan, the NT$1 coin being safe from extinction for now and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk an investigation into a media group's participation at a cross-strait summit, the latest news about the recall campaigns and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te's marking his first year office, Nvidia's Jensen Huang attending Computex in Taipei and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the end of nuclear power generation, contrasting overseas trips and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the NT's sudden rise against the US dollar, the government marking Victory in Europe Day for first time and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk public attitudes toward America and Donald Trump, plans to recall President Lai China-te, a pending dedicated air quality center and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Pope Francis' death and Taiwan, a meeting between the heads of the KMT and the Taiwan People's Party, overseas electronic voting and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest on investigations into allegations of recall petition signature forgery, denials that convenience stores will be used as wartime hubs and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan's wobbly US tariff week, allegations of a violation of procurement rules by the Taipei Metro and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk calls for "advocating war" to be made a crime, a civil defense drill, KMT referendum bills making progress in the Legislature and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the Yushan Forum, the DPP and the KMT going on islandwide tours to blast their opposing policies, controversy over a Chinese national who had been advocating for China's annexation of Taiwan using military force and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk TSMC's additional investment in the US, questions about Taiwan's defense spending, an emergency room nursing shortage and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the US State Department's removal of a line concerning Taiwan independence; a KMT delegation visiting the US for talks with Trump officials; more problems with undersea cables and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a meeting of the five government branches, calls for NT$10,000 cash handouts, undocumented migrant workers and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We cover possible US levies on Taiwan chip makers; recall vote proposals, a DeepSeek ban and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Donald Trump's return to the White House and Taiwan; lawmakers passing a slashed central government budget; Constitutional Court rulings taking effect after being signed into by President Lai Ching-te and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk how Taiwan remembers Jimmy Carter, the latest on Ko Wen-je's legal woes; Lai Ching-te's New Year's Day address and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the past year's top stories from and about Taiwan. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk protests over proposed amendments, the Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum, the delivery of Abrams Main Battle Tanks from the US and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk China's military goings-on this week in the skies and waters around Taiwan, warnings to influencers about accepting funding or instruction from China; the United Daily News' Taiwan's Character of the Year for 2024 and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the brief declaration of martial law in South Korea making news in Taiwan, visiting Chinese students facing claims of making comments resulting in "uneasiness in society, a protest against the take over of Foodpanda and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te visiting Pacific Island allies, a visit by Chinese students, a rejected citizenship petition and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk apologies from senior government officials regarding workplace bullying, lawyers taking to the streets, questions over cryptocurrency taxation and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Donald Trump's return to the White House and what it could mean for Taiwan, draft amendments to the an allocations act and the demolition of a forty-year old overpass. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We speak with regular show commentator Brian Hioe, former American Institute in Taiwan Director William Stanton and Professor Huang Min-Hua, the chair of the National Taiwan University's Department of Political Science about the US election and how it's outcome could affect Taiwan at a special show recorded live at a roundtable event jointly organized by ICRT and the National Taiwan University's Political Science Student Association at the NTU in Taipei. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk an on going dispute over the general budget, Tsai Ing-wen returning from a trip to Europe, a battle to deport a Spanish national who was the focus of an Interpol wanted notice and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk China's latest military drills, comments about plans to build green power plants in neighboring countries and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk National Day events, a survey concerning threats to Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen's first overseas trip since leaving office and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk typhoon day closures controversy, Chinese tourists and a petition on citizenship warranting a government response. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the UN General Assembly and Resolution 2758, allegations Taiwan is spreading disinformation in China, two hefty electricity bills and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the death penalty, another Chinese rubber dinghy incident and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk basic carbon fee rates leading to some ire feelings, pending hikes to rail fares, a holiday getaway locale facing problems and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest on the scandals dogging the Taiwan People's Party, United Nations Resolution 2758, Judicial Yuan nominees facing a backlash and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A special show featuring a panel discussion organized by the Asia Pacific Youth Association and recorded live at the Legislative Yuan titled An Election That Influences the World: Taiwan and the 2024 US Election. It brought together Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Janice Chen (陳昭姿), the Deputy Director of the DPP's International Department Michael Chen (陳文昊), the Assistant Director of the KMT's Department of International Affairs Chance Hsu ( 須予謙), and Associate Professor of the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University's Center for Human Science Eric Chiou (邱奕宏), as well US nationals and Taiwan based lawyers, John Eastwood and Ross Feingold, who discussed how the upcoming US election will affect US-China relations, US-Taiwan relations and cross-strait ties. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the Taiwan People's Party facing a financial scandal, a mayor facing a recall vote, controversy over a proposed street name change and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk oral arguments regarding the legality of government oversight bills, an announcement concerning the government's 2025 budget, Taiwan's top envoy to Japan leaving his post after eight years and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk cross-strait talks in Kinmen, a summit by an anti-China group in Taipei, WTO dispute settlement consultations and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a typhoon, a cut short military exercise, a national party congress, macaque muggers and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk comments by Donald Trump about Taiwan, the first legislative session of the Lai administration wrapping-up, equal pay and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a former vice premier facing a corruption investigation, a president in military fatigues and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the seizer of a Taiwan fishing boat sparking concerns of increased cross-strait tensions, a recall vote aimed at removing the mayor of Keelung from office and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk hush hush discussions how to boost Taiwan's international participation, China's new deadly judicial guidelines and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk three special presidential committees, warnings against Chinese influence in political parties, altercations over priority seating rules on the MRT and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn