Taiwanology

Why has China Coast Guard made it a routine to patrol the east of Taiwan? Why has retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell called this a quarantine? CommonWealth's cover story details the reporting behind "Broken Chain," built on 1.8 billion vessel data points. Our reporters recount our exclusive interview with National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu. This episode traces a shared playbook across the first island chain, and why normalization may be the greatest danger.

Episode highlights:

00:00 The quarantine warning behind Broken Chain

03:26 Su'ao fishermen grown numb to Chinese patrols

10:09 Mapping 1.8 billion vessel data points

14:38 Coast Guard SOPs and a Philippine warning

17:33 Exclusive interview with NSC SecGen

21:34 Indo-Pacific stakes, CSIS partnership, what's next

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Steven Yeo, Data & Graphics engineer; Hazel Hsu, Reporter

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4930

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments

Taiwan's biggest semiconductor trade show just got more international. This year, Semicon Taiwan marks its 30th anniversary with a record 18 national pavilions, from the US to Mexico and Finland. Veteran tech journalist Judy Lin explains why so many countries now want proximity to Taiwan's chip ecosystem. Plus: whether AI chip demand is real or a bubble.

Episode highlights:

00:30 Why watch Taipei for the AI race

01:50 Judy's path from Reuters markets desk, and what Semicon is

06:33 A record 18 pavilions: Catalonia, Chihuahua, Finland, and Dresden's ripple effect

11:55 Why countries want in: complementary tech, reversal of roles, and China's absence

17:11 The legacy-chip risk, TSMC's dominance, and path dependency

24:55 Chip bubble fear and why everyone should care about Semicon

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Judy Lin, founder of TechSoda

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

TSMC in Dresden. Foxconn in Bordeaux. A German chemicals giant in Kaohsiung. EU-Taiwan industrial ties are deepening fast, and it's mutual: EU states have invested more in Taiwan than the US and Japan combined. EETO head Lutz Güllner explains what Chips Act 2.0 changes, where Taiwan fits into Europe's industrial strategy beyond chips, and how Taiwan's civil society is countering foreign information manipulation.

Episode highlights:

07:23 How EU-Taiwan relations reached their most active point yet

09:09 The EU Council's landmark Taiwan statement

17:01 The Industrial Accelerator Act and the EU Chips Act 2.0

24:15 FIMI: naming foreign information manipulation and interference

32:44 Why understanding Taiwanese politics matters for a diplomat

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Lutz Güllner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

Canada's top trade envoy in Taipei, Marie-Louise Hannan, reflects on four decades of Canada-Taiwan ties, growing LNG and offshore wind cooperation, and why Prime Minister Mark Carney's case for middle-power democracies resonates with Taiwan's own search for agency in a fractured world.

Episode highlights:

00:00 Launching a new diplomat interview series

02:44 Arriving in China in 1989, before the Tiananmen incident

09:31 Dr. Mackay and the roots of Canada-Taiwan ties

12:26 Taiwan as a top Indo-Pacific trade partner

15:05 Energy dependence and the case for Canadian LNG

20:37 Inside Canada's first ever Indo-Pacific Strategy

26:59 Carney's Davos speech and middle-power democracies

31:00 Life in Taipei: food, family, and safety

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Marie-Louise Hannan, Executive Director of Canadian Trade Office in Taipei

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

Is the AI boom a bubble? AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su joins Commonwealth Magazine to share why the AI revolution is just getting started, and why Taiwan remains the center of this universe. Find out why she believes open ecosystems and "AI everywhere" are reshaping our future.

Episode highlights:

01:45 What's behind AMD's $10B investment in Taiwan and 2nm partnership with TSMC?

06:12 Why is Taiwan the only place that can pull off this level of tech manufacturing?

11:00 "Coopetition": How can supply chain rivals stay friendly with each other?

13:00 Who actually makes money in AI?

22:00 What is "Physical AI" and why is it the next technological wave?

27:00 Open vs. Closed: Which tech ecosystem will grow the fastest?

32:00 – Are we in an AI bubble?

Host: Yishan Chen, Editor-in-Chief of CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Lisa Su, CEO of AMD

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4791

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 industry

12:30 Bridging traditional manufacturing with ICT capabilities

21:35 How Taiwan should respond to Europe’s reshoring push

25:10 Why more Taiwanese companies are becoming open to change

27:05 Adapting to the emerging e-bike ecosystem

33:20 Why Anchor Global is launching an Industry Lab with Walmart as the pilot case

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine

Guest: Elisa Chiu, founder of Anchor Global

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4684

＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 Magazine
Guest: Audrey Tang, Taiwan Cyber Ambassador
Producers: 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.tw

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 stimulus
Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Yifen Tao, Associate Professor of National Taiwan University
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang
＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 Magazine
Guest: William Yang, Senior Analyst of the International Crisis Group
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang
＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 interactions
04:00 - How global instability sobered up EU policy toward Taiwan
17:20 - Mapping 30 nations' attitudes
23:30 - Why EU leaders are vocal about Taiwan
28:10 - The shift from symbolism to economic security
34:10 - Why Taiwan must move from a subject of debate to an active partner

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Visiting Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of Central European Institute of Asian Studies

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4394
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 game

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Rachel Cleetus, Union of Concerned Scientists and Jack Huang, Project Coordinator of United Nations OICT

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read our COP30 coverage： https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4446
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

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 Magazine
Guest: CC Wu, trade compliance consultant of PwC Taiwan

Producers: 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.tw

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 Taiwan
09:50 — Roi’s journey into peace education
20:15 — Family under siege: Hazem's life and loss in Gaza
30:56 — The fellows' Kinmen visit and Taiwan’s “front line” identity
35:00 — The power in the choice of word "genocide"

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Hazem Almassry, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Academia Sinica
Roi Silberberg, Director of School for Peace 
  
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang
＊Read about Taiwan： https://english.cw.com.tw 
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

Taiwan is at an energy crossroads. After decades of debate, a recent referendum revealed that over 70% favor restarting its last nuclear power plant. What does this shift mean for Taiwan’s energy security? We sit down with Danny Chang, former chairman of Star Buck Power Corp, to unpack Taiwan’s nuclear dilemma and why the island is rethinking its position on nuclear power.

0:00 – How Taiwan’s latest referendum sparks debate on nuclear power
6:00 – Why Taiwan’s anti-nuclear stance is rooted in history
10:30 – Shifting opinions: costs, climate change, and rising power demand
17:04 – Japan and the U.S. show how nuclear comebacks happen
24:27 – Can renewables meet Taiwan’s ambitious energy goals?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Kuor hsin Chang, former Chairman of Star Buck Power 
  
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang
＊Tracking Taiwan's nuclear debates：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4287 
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

Taiwan’s largest military exercise, the Han Kuang drills, now includes a supermarket chain helping with evacuation plans. With China’s military pressure near-constant, Taiwan is expanding its defense strategy to include asymmetric warfare, civil defense, and psychological readiness. Silva Shih, CommonWealth Magazine's defense reporter, joins us to explain how Taiwan is preparing—and what could still be missing.

- 3:10 Why does Taiwan’s defense conversation feel more urgent this year?
- 8:08 The major trends observed through a PLA activities dashboard
- 14:20 What's new with this year's Han Kuang military drills?
- 19:45 Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain joined the drills. What does that tell us?
- 22:16 How worried should Taiwan be about a blockade or gray-zone harassments?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Silva Shih, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine  
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Check out CommonWealth's PLA activities dashboard: https://www.cw.com.tw/graphics/pla-activities-around-taiwan-en/ 
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

In 2025, Taiwan is witnessing an unprecedented wave of citizen-led recall campaigns targeting lawmakers—mostly from the opposition Kuomintang. Branded the “mass recall” movement, it raises a question: is this a genuine expression of civic outrage, or a politically driven power play? To unpack the roots and implications of this political upheaval, we speak with Nathan Batto, political scientist and author of the Frozen Garlic blog.

- 8:10 How does the Sunflower Movement connect to today’s recall wave?
- 12:02 What sparked this massive recall push? Perspectives from both sides
- 18:45 Is the movement truly grassroots—or party-driven?
- 21:50 Why hasn’t the KMT been able to mobilize as effectively?
- 30:55 Is mass recall Taiwan’s only option for breaking political deadlock?
- 34:01 How might the results affect Taiwan’s geopolitical position?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Nathan Batto, Associate Research Fellow at Academia Sinica,  
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read CommonWealth's explainer on the mass recall and its implications：https://english.cw.com.tw 
＊Share your thoughts：bill@cw.com.tw

留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments

As global powers pour billions into the hydrogen economy, Taiwan is just getting started. In this episode, we ask: Is Taiwan ready for the hydrogen economy? Could hydrogen be Taiwan’s next move for energy security and net-zero goals? We explore what it will take for Taiwan to catch up, from industrial policy to infrastructure.

- 03:30 From flour to fuel: How Linde LienHwa evolved into a hydrogen leader
- 07:40 Why hydrogen? What makes it a game-changer in energy
- 10:02 Hydrogen on the move: Its role in decarbonizing transportation
- 16:00 Taiwan’s challenge: Building up hydrogen infrastructure
- 22:00 Rethinking energy: What must change in Taiwan’s infrastructure to go net-zero

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Christine Miao, Vice President of Corp. Communications & Head of Hydrogen Mobility, Linde LienHwa & Toby Collins, Managing Director of Lien Hwa New Energy 

Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Learn what’s holding back Taiwan’s renewable energy ambitions — and what it will take to overcome. https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3689 
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

With Trump's return, the push for tariffs, reshoring, and a "great manufacturing renaissance" is gaining momentum. But what does reindustrialization actually look like—and where does Taiwan fit into this vision? Our guest, Jack Hou, COO of Universal Cement, shares insights from both sides of the Pacific, including how he helped turn around his family business and what it would take to rebuild manufacturing in the U.S.

- The mood in Boston and New York about a second Trump term [05:40]
- Can high tariffs bring manufacturing back to the U.S.? [13:14]
- A case study from Taiwan: How Universal Cement engineered a turnaround [18:17]
- What it takes to spark a manufacturing renaissance in America [23:17]
- The opportunities for Taiwan to play a role in America's reindustrialization [28:00]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Jack Hou, COO, Universal Cement Corporation
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about Taiwan's manufacturers are rethinking their strategies going forward: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4068
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

What does it mean when the world’s most advanced chipmaker—Taiwan’s TSMC—pledges $100 billion to make advanced chips in the US? It’s more than just a business move. In this episode, we explore the geopolitical stakes, national security concerns, and the race for tech dominance between the U.S. and its rivals. Our guest, Jeremy Chang, CEO of Taiwan’s think tank DSET, joins us to unpack how this historic investment might reshape the global semiconductor landscape—and whether TSMC can remain at the top.

- [2:45] How Taiwan’s first tech geopolitics think tank got its start
- [9:10] The tight rope: Taiwan’s delicate balancing act
- [15:12] Why the U.S. is hungry for advanced chips—and what AI has to do with It
- [19:10] Will betting big on the U.S. hurt TSMC’s edge? 
- [22:10] If America makes its own chips, is Taiwan still worth defending?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Jeremy Chih Cheng Chang, CEO of DSET
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about the insider information surrounding TSMC's investment in Intel: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4006
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is shaking up the global semiconductor industry. Rumors are swirling that he wants TSMC to bail out Intel, raising big questions about Taiwan’s role in the U.S.-China tech war. Could TSMC realistically “save” its American rival? And what does this mean for Taiwan’s long-term competitiveness and the so-called Silicon Shield? We break it all down with Rocky Uriankhai, a leading expert on geopolitics and tech.

- How Taiwan became a semiconductor powerhouse [3:40]
- Why are there rumors that Trump wants TSMC to help Intel? [6:45]
- Why isn’t TSMC’s U.S. fab expansion enough? [12:10]
- What are the real scenarios for TSMC “saving” Intel? [14:30]
- Could this jeopardize TSMC’s long-term competitiveness? [19:35]
- Why the "Silicon Shield" might not protect Taiwan [25:35]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Rocky Uriankhai, CEO of SciTech Power Research

＊Read more about the insider information surrounding TSMC's investment in Intel: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3971
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

In late February, RightsCon, often nicknamed the Burning Man of human rights activism, takes place in Taiwan for the first time. This four-day event is expected to bring together thousands of activists, policymakers, and tech leaders to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of human rights and the digital age. What can we expect and why Taipei was picked to be the host city?

- How Access Now and RightsCon began [6:40]
- Why Raman left Google to join Access Now [9:25]
- The origins of RightsCon [16:17]
- What to expect at this year's RightsCon in Taipei [19:40]
- Why Access Now chose Taipei this year [23:00]
- What Taiwan's unique geopolitical position mean for digital rights [29:25]
 
Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Raman Jit Singh Chima, Senior International Counsel and Asia Pacific Policy Director of Access Now; Jason Liu, Senior Policy Analyst of Access Now

＊Listen to the interview with Taiwan's Digital Minister: https://open.firstory.me/story/clyxmnib90fbm01xr7dhu5vgp
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

Taiwan is renowned for its world-class semiconductor manufacturing, but it’s not often recognized as a hub for software startups. So why did Appier, an AI-driven marketing tech company, choose Taiwan as its base—and how did it become the island’s first AI software unicorn? In this episode, co-founder Chih-han Yu shares the lessons learned from eight (!) failures.

- What is Appier, and who are its customers? [4:30]
- Eight failures and their lessons [10:54]
- The ‘aha’ moment: Combining AI and marketing [14:32]
- Why Taiwan? Returning from the U.S. to build a software startup [19:40]
- Why Tokyo was the go-to market [26:14]
- Looking ahead: How Taiwan can foster more software unicorns [34:00]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Chih-han Yu, CEO and Co-founder of Appier

＊Read more about Appier's journey: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2950
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

As President-elect Trump returns to the White House, the stakes for U.S.-Taiwan relations are at an all-time high. Wenchi Yu, a renowned global affairs advisor and expert in cross-border strategy, offers her perspective on navigating the intricate dynamics among the U.S., Taiwan, and China during these volatile times. What can we expect from Donald Trump’s second term?

- The mood in Washington, D.C., as Trump returns to power [09:17]
- How Trump’s second term may differ from his first [11:39]
- Will Trump’s approach to China shift this time around? [13:28]
- What Taiwan can anticipate under Trump 2.0 [19:05]
- Is Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield” losing its strength? [23:40]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Wenchi Yu, Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about how Taiwan can navigate Trump's second term: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang finished just behind his close friend Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journalist Mike Chinoy and producer James Liu of Joint Pictures.

- Mike Chinoy shares how he became involved in the project. [01:09]
- The filmmakers discuss their decision to use animation to recreate key scenes. [07:25]
- Exploring Johnson's reputation in the United States. [16:43]
- Insights into the unique friendship between Rafer Johnson and CK Yang. [22:35]
- Examining why CK Yang's legacy has faded in Taiwan over time. [28:00]
- Reflecting on the significance of this decathlon story in today’s world. [36:38]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing bureau chief & James Liu, founder of Joint Pictures 
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about Taiwan's participation in the Olympic Games: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments

In this Episode:
We sit down with Gunter Pauli, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the "Zero Emissions" and "Blue Economy" movements. Known as "the Steve Jobs of Sustainability" and "the Che Guevara of Sustainability," Gunter discusses groundbreaking ideas and the future of sustainable innovation. From pioneering the first zero-emissions factory to shaping global supply chains, Gunter's insights are a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a sustainable future.

What You’ll Learn:

[12:30] How Gunter’s First Zero-Emissions Factory Became a Marketing Phenomenon
[17:00] The True Meaning Behind the Blue Economy
[26:10] Meeting Stan Shih, Founder of Acer
[29:10] Taiwan’s Role in Sustainable Innovation
[32:00] Why "Who Will Pay for That?" is the Wrong Question
[41:25] What’s Wrong with COPs?
[48:10] How Gunter believes we can inspire the next generation of innovators.

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur, economist, and author of "The Blue Economy"
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read about the crucial role Taiwan plays in building the world's supply chain: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments

In this episode, we dive into female entrepreneurship and why it deserves greater attention. How can communities create an environment that enables and empowers women to thrive as business leaders?

Our guest, Wingee Sin, Global Program Director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, shares her inspiring journey. From starting her career in investment banking to transitioning into a global role supporting women's entrepreneurship, Wingee’s path includes a fascinating stint as a chef in renowned restaurants across Paris, Mexico City, and Bangkok.

- How Wingee started in the capital markets. [03:43]
- Wingee's one year away as a chef. [08:08]
- How Wingee discovered Cartier's women initiative. [12:20]
- On women entrepreneurship ecosystems in Taiwan and elsewhere. [15:45]
- Why and how Cartier supports communities for female entrepreneus. [20:47]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Wingee Sin, Global Program Director, Cartier Women’s Initiative
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read about how migrant women are enriching Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3450
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments

President Donald Trump is making a political comeback. What has driven him to victory? And what could this mean for US-Taiwan and US-China relations?

To break it all down, we’re joined by Silva Shih, CommonWealth’s sharp-eyed China and defense correspondent. Reporting directly from two key battlegrounds—Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Miami, Florida—Silva brings us the pulse of the American voter.

She shares firsthand stories from people grappling with pressing issues like inflation and takes us inside the rallies of both candidates.

03:10 - The difference between a Trump rally and a Harris rally
06:56 - Why Trump won so decisively
16:00 - What does Trump’s “protection fee” comment reveal?
22:11 - Where are U.S.-China relations headed next?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Silva Shih, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Yayuan Chang,Weiru Wang

＊Read about the impact of Trump 2.0 to Taiwan's economy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3812
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Where can you experience pilotless aircraft, autonomous cars, and service robots all in one place? Surprisingly, it's not the US or Germany, but China. Today, we sit down with Yixuan Lin to dive into China's remarkable technological strides, even amid international sanctions and mounting global pressures. What does this mean for the rest of the world, and what challenges lie ahead for China's ambitious tech future?

04:05 - What's it like to test-drive Huawei's autonomous car?
06:04 - The sci-fi film like robot expo in Beijing
08:51 - What is the "Made in China 2025" strategy?
13:40 - How does China bypass western sanctions on tech goods?
15:00 - What does Huawei's 2012 R&D compound reveal?
19:54 - Can China continue to prosper despite sanctions?
22:10 - Do sanctions work anyway?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Yixuan Lin, Senior Reporter of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about China's tech ambitions 2025: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3789
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Virginia is home to a third of the world’s data centers, serving as a critical backbone of the internet — and a battleground over power and land. CommonWealth's Senior Writer Elaine Huang visited Ashburn’s famed Data Center Alley, where she saw firsthand the mounting tension as locals brace for a showdown over electricity and space. Could Taiwan be next to face these challenges?

09:03 - Who is the key person behind Ashburn's data center boom?
10:20 - Why are locals concerned about the development of data centers in the region?
15:19 - How local residents feel about having data centers as neighbors
17:50 - Could Taiwan face a power shortage because of Generative AI?
22:16 - Why tech giants are investing in their own power sources

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Elaine Huang, Elaine Huang of CommonWealth Magazine
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about Elaine's trip to Virgina and what it means to Taiwan: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3782
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Cybersecurity is emerging as a crucial topic. For Taiwan, the island nation finds itself in a unique position, both as a global tech leader and a target in the changing geopolitical landscape. According to a 2021 estimation, Taiwan undergoes 20 to 40 million cyberattacks a month. What can Taiwan do to strengthen its cybersecurity awareness and skills? We hear from Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering and a founding member of Google's security team.

9:40 - Can anything be done about ransomeware?
12:00 - What makes Taiwan's cybersecurity situation unique?
17:40 - How can Taiwan's civil society and businesses strengthen their cybersecurity resilience?
23:02 - Critical infrastructure: how can we better stress test?
28:25 - What kind of new threats does Generative Artificial Intelligence bring?

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read more about how Taiwan is cracking down on cyberfraud: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3572
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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98% of marathon runners use Garmin devices to track their progress. Either you drive a Ford, Toyota or BMW, chances are your car uses Garmin's GPS system. Garmin's wearable devices are also loved by pilots, divers and triathletes. How did this company co-founded by a Taiwanese engineer come to dominate the business of navigation?

05:10 - What was Garmin's founding story?
09:15 - How did Garmin find a niche market in navigation?
14:20 - Why Garmin dominates the car navigation market?
20:00 - How Garmin works with big automakers

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Jay Shen, Managing Director of ASIA Automotive OEM Group of the Garmin Group
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about Garmin's competitive edge in technology:https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=252
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Taiwan's trade performance has been at its strongest. The share of Taiwan’s exports going to the U.S. has steadily risen from 12% in 2016 to 22.3% in the first quarter of this year. For the first time in 20 years, The US became Taiwan’s largest export market. However, if forTrump comes back in November, Taiwan will face a US president who sees trade deficits as the enemy. He has been gloating ideas about increasing tariffs and taking back chip manufacturing. What would all this mean for Taiwan and is there anything we could do about it?

07:25 - How has Taiwan's economy benefited from trade?
16:16 - Taiwan's responsie to the US re-shoring strategy
18:10 - What would Trump's second term mean for Taiwan's economy?
21:15 - When things become more expensive because of tariffs, who will pay?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Daniel Liu, Director of Regional Development Study Center, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research
Producer: Weiru Wang

＊Read about Taiwan's ventures in Southeast Asia as a result of the "friendshoring" strategy: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3542
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Why would dozens of German students stay in Taiwan for half a year to learn about the chip industry? Because Taiwan is where over 90% of advanced semiconductor chips are made. In this episode, we dive into the future of European semiconductor manufacturing as it gains momentum, just as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's first European fab breaks ground in Saxony, Germany Aug 20.

Joining us is Max Paulenz, a participant in the '2024 Semiconductor Talent Incubation Program Taiwan'. He is part of the first group of German students trained in Taiwan, ready to bring cutting-edge expertise back home. There will be more similar projects to come. We explore his journey, the skills he's acquired, and the role these talents will play in Europe's semiconductor ambitions.

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Max Paulenz, student of Dresden Technische Universität
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read about TSMC's overseas ventures: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3566
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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From Tesla, VW to BYD, it seems all automakers want more of electric vehicles. But, how are they going to be powered? Today we're diving into the electrifying world of electric vehicles. With 80% of lithium batteries currently made in China, the West is seeking alternatives to diversify away. In May, CommonWealth's Kwangyin Liu visited AMG Lithium in Germany, Europe's first battery-grade lithium refinery.

In this episode, we will explore Europe's ambitious plan to create its own battery supply chain, the steps involved, and the challenges ahead. We will also hear from experts in Berlin and Taiwan on how companies are planning to tap into this growing market. Join us as we uncover the efforts to power the future of transportation, amidst uncertainties brought by growing geopolitical tensions.

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Sabine Kraus, Andre Majdalani, Jacob Gunter and Mark Lu
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read about Taiwan's scramble for lithium: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3398
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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As the CrowdStrike glitch caused a global IT meltdown, cyber infrastructure security has emerged as a critical issue. This raises a question about Taiwan's defense capabilities: Is Taiwan's digital infrastructure robust enough to withstand hostile breaches or hacking attempts? We speak with Taiwan's Digital Minister, Yen-nun Huang, the man at the forefront of bolstering Taiwan's digital resilience. However, before he can address these larger threats, he must first confront the immediate challenge of rampant cyber scams.

07:11 - Why does Taiwan need a "digital highway"?
10:34 - What does digital resilience mean?
15:34 - How can Taiwan use technology to combat cyber scamming?
22:00 - Are there better solutions for outlying islands communication than undersea cables?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Yen-nun Huang 黃彥男, Minister of Digital Affairs, Taiwan
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read about Taiwan's battle against online fraud: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3572
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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27 years ago, the world witnessed Hong Kong’s handover from the UK to China. The city is now under a different kind of spotlight. The introduction of the National Security Law in 2020 and the passing of Article 23 sparked controversies. While lots of western money and expats have left, Russian and Middle Eastern wealth seems to be taking their place.

09:30 - Why is money flowing back to Hong Kong?
12:40 - Who are the people who continue to fight for freedom of speech in Hong Kong?
16:05 - Where do Hong Kongers go on the weekends?
24:40 - What does Hong Kong mean for Taiwan and China?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Silva Shih, China Editor, CommonWealth Magazine
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read about how Hong Kong has evolved under the draconian rule:
https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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American investment plays a vital role in Taiwan's economy. The US ranks as Taiwan's second-largest source of foreign direct investment, and is also its second-largest trading partner. Beyond these impressive figures, the U.S. stands as Taiwan’s most significant strategic ally. Following the latest edition of AmCham's annual White Paper, we talked to AmCham Chairperson Dan Silver on why U.S. businesses remain optimistic about Taiwan's growth and opportunities despite rising geopolitical tensions.

06:50 - AmCham's role in shaping the Taiwan Relations Act
16:05 - Why does AmCham publish a Taiwan White Paper each year?
26:04 - Why should Taiwanese people care about what this White Paper has to say?
33:55 - Why do most U.S. businesses remain bullish on investing in Taiwan?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Dan Silver, Chairperson of AmCham in Taiwan
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read more about how AmCham Taiwan facilitated the birth of Taiwan Relations Act:
https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3336
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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When you hear “industrial computers,” you might think of robotic arms on assembly lines or power plants. But the new generation of industrial computing comes in all shapes and sizes, from conveyor belt sushi restaurants to cashier systems in cafes and supermarkets. Our guest today calls it “AIoT”—Artificial Intelligence of Things combined with Edge Computing—powering devices from Las Vegas slot machines to Israel's Iron Dome. 70% of these vital computers are made by Taiwanese companies. We unpack Taiwan's tech prowess with Chaney Ho, one of the co-founders of the world's largest industrial computing company.

05:30 - How Advantech started and why was the navy its first customer?
13:20 - How industrial computers determine our daily lives?
23:16 - What is "edge computing" and what does it have to do with industrial computing?
29:10 - Why Taiwanese companies provide over 70% of the world's industrial computers

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Chaney Ho, Co-founder of Advantech
Producers: Weiru Wang, Billy Wu

＊Read more about how Taiwan's industrial computers:
https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3386
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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In this special episode, we delve into the challenges faced by environmental journalists in Taiwan. Dr. Aziz Mulla, himself an expert in preserving Taiwan's coral reefs, had an in-depth interview with Kwangyin and Sally Jensen, an environmental reporter for the TV station TaiwanPlus. This episode was recorded in January and was first aired February 8, 2024.

16:20 - How to make environment journalism relevant for a larger audience
21:50 - What can Taiwan do to curb the climate disaster?
34:10 - How can business protect the climate and also be profitable?
43:35 - What can be done to improve the education system?

Host: Dr. Aziz Mulla
Guests: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine; Sally Jensen, reporter for TaiwanPlus.
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang, Billy Wu, Morris Chen, David Kao

＊Read more about Taiwan's efforts to revive coral reefs: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3320
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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As global buyers like Apple and Nike ramp up pressure on their supply chain to decarbonize, everyone in Taiwan seems to want more renewable energy: from chip makers like TSMC to smaller manufacturers of nuts and bolts. But the pace has been slower than expected. In 2023, renewables accounted for a mere 10% of Taiwan's electricity consumption, and will surely fall short of its target of 20% by 2025. Can this be fixed? How badly does Taiwan really want renewable energy, and is anyone prepared to pay for it?

7:20 - What are the challenges facing Taiwan's renewable energy in general/
10:58 - Why is solar deployment in Taiwan so difficult?
18:40 - What headwinds is Taiwan facing in offshore wind?
28:23 - Exploring Taiwan's untapped geothermal energy potential
31:03 - What to do going forward/

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Raoul Kubitschek, managing director of NIRAS Taiwan
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about how Taiwan's renewable obstacles:
https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3672
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Pundits and policymakers in the US and Europe are increasingly worried that, as China's economy slows down, China’s excess manufacturing capacity might overflow the world with cheap imports, ranging from steel, solar panels, to electric cars. Moreover, what's looming on the horizon are legacy semiconductors. How worried should we be? What can be done to mitigate the impact of Chinese overcapacity?

5:00 - In global trade, we have seen "China shock" before. What's different this time?
7:27 - The three major impacts brought by the Chinese overcapacity
8:55 - Will there be Chinese overcapacity in semiconductors?
15:25 - Why is it unlikely for cheap EVs to flood Taiwan streets?
21:36 - What would be the impacts if China increases domestic chip production and utilization?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Silva Shih, China editor, CommonWealth Magazine
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about how China's overcapacity impacts world economy:
https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3670
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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An ETF allows an investor to invest in a basket of different investments. For some reason, high dividend ETF products have been all the rage in Taiwan in recent years. According to J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Taiwan's ETF asset size saw the highest in the world, growing 23-fold over the past five years. Why are Taiwanese investors so obsessed with high dividend ETFs? What does it tell us about Taiwan’s investment environment? Our money correspondent Lisa Lin helps us unpack this phenomenon.

6:13 - How popular is high-dividend ETF in Taiwan?
10:01 - Why do Taiwanese investors love this kind of ETF?
19:20 - Why are Taiwan's real estate prices so high?
23:45 - How to introduce more products for Taiwanese to invest in

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Lisa Lin, Finance Correspondent, CommonWealth Magazine
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about Taiwan's high-dividend ETF craze: https://bit.ly/3vLxACQ
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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With an aging population and the world's lowest birth rate, Taiwan is grappling with a demographic imbalance that threatens its economic vitality. Join us as we explore why revamping immigration regulations to attract international talent is crucial now. To delve deep into this issue, we talk with David Chang, who has been championing more inclusion for international citizens in Taiwan. Find out why he thinks Taiwan also needs to ease the regulations for dual citizenship.

12:00 - Why Taiwan needs an immigration policy
21:01 - Wait, only Japanese immigrants were eligible for disability benefits?
25:08 - Taiwan's need to streamline its citizenship application process
30:00 - What the response to Indian migrant workers said about Taiwan
33:03 - Taiwan's growing digital nomadism

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: David Chang, Founder & Secretary-general of Crossroads（社團法人台灣全球連結發展協會）
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about Taiwan's immigration issue: https://bit.ly/3Px1P71
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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On February 24th, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) inaugurated its state-of-the-art facility in Kumamoto, marking a pivotal moment in Japan's semiconductor landscape. This milestone is underscored by several remarkable achievements: JASM secured the highest subsidies ever granted by the Japanese government, completed construction in a record-breaking timeframe of under two years, and is poised to lead Japan in producing cutting-edge semiconductor chips. This venture holds immense significance as it raises the question: Can it breathe new life into Japan's somewhat dormant semiconductor industry?

6:10 - Why did TSMC choose to be in Kumamoto?
7:30 - What are the lives like for the engineers?
10:00 - What contributed to the decline of Japan's chip industry?
14:25 - Why TSMC fabs in Arizona and Kumamoto experience different speed
17:40 - Who will be JASM's major customers?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Yixuan Lin, CommonWealth reporter
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about the Japan-Taiwan chip alliance: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3637
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw
＊Listen to the Japanese song on semiconductors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ3UEgPgXqs

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In the US, Shein was the most downloaded fashion app in 2022. Influencers showcase "Shein hauls" featuring bags of clothing at unbelievably low prices, like 3-dollar tops or 5-dollar jeans. How can Shein be so cheap? And at what cost? A group of CommonWealth reporters travelled to the shouthern Chinese city of Guanzhou, where thousands of small workshops churn out new styles quickly each week. What they saw and hear blew their mind.

4:04 - Why is Shein so popular among American teens?
7:00 - How does Shein compete with Zara?
10:20 - How Shein achieved "ultra-fast fasion"
12:24 - What the unique "urban villages" has to do with Shein's cheapness
16:11 - What's the working condition like in the workshops?
19:27 - Shein's lesson for Taiwan's supply chain

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Ashley Lo, David Shen, Charo Wu, CommonWealth reporters
Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more about Shein: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3625
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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In this episode, we unravel the intricacies of Taiwan's economy, spotlighting the indispensable role played by migrant workers—1 in 6 factory workers in Taiwan falls into this category. As the impending EU human rights due diligence legislation looms, we turn our attention to Taiwan's distinctive practice of allowing monthly fees on migrant workers by brokers. In a shifting landscape where legal compliance is no longer the sole benchmark, we explore the imperative for Taiwanese companies to elevate their practices. Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and explore the question: will there be a day when migrant workers in Taiwan enjoy the same rights as its workers?

7:40 - How Bonny's UN work led her to the study of labor law
13:30 - Why is Taiwan's migrant worker practices considered to have a high risk of forced labor?
19:00 - Why is the "monthly service fees" so controversial?
21:30 - What impacts will the incoming EU human rights due diligence law on the global supply chain?
33:40 - What can Taiwanese companies do to lower their risks of forced labor?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Bonny Ling, Executive Director at Work Better Innovations & Senior Fellow at Uni Nottingham Taiwan Research Hub
Producers: Weiru Wang, Chiahsuan Lee

＊Read more in-depth stories about Taiwan's migrant workers: https://bit.ly/47FDuSU
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Amidst the turbulence of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong over the past few years, a profound exodus has unfolded, with over 200,000 Hong Kong residents seeking refuge elsewhere. Among them, approximately 20,000 have found solace in Taiwan, embracing it as their sanctuary. Leaving behind a familiar life is undoubtedly challenging, but forging a new path in a foreign land presents its own set of trials.

In this enlightening conversation, brought to you in collaboration with TaiwanPlus, we delve into the aspirations, hopes, and dreams of two remarkable members of the Hong Kong diaspora – Kacey Wong and Shirley Leung. Join us as we explore their courageous journey and the inspiring narratives that unfold beyond the tumultuous events in Hong Kong.

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Kacey Wong, visual artist
Shirley Leung, founder of Photon Media
David Kao, producer of TaiwanPlus

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read more in-depth stories about Taiwan:https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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In two weeks, Taiwan is headed to the polls. The challenges are manifold: from escalating geopolitical tensions and the deepening rivalry between the United States and China, to limited upward social mobility. What truly hangs in the balance, and what far-reaching implications might the impending results hold? Wen-ti Sung, an Atlantic Council fellow and a Australian National University lecturer, joined us for a discussion.

06:32 - What do the three candidates represent?
13:00 - How do their China strategies differ?
16:02 - The two main takeaways from the polling numbers
25:50 - How important are the swing voters?
30:30 - How successful are Chinese economic coercion tactics?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Wen-Ti Sung（宋文笛）, nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council, and lecturer in Australian National University

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read about Taiwan's upcoming election: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Scamming has transcended boundaries and borders. In today's episode, we talk with a finance reporter about a growing trend in Taiwan: bankers and engineers are starting to play key roles in sophiscated scams, and they don't even feel like criminals.

05:09 - How much money does Taiwan loss to scamming each year?
07:08 - When a bank teller becomes a fraud group accomplice
11:18 - What makes Taiwan's situation unique?
15:11 - The engineers who don't think they are committing crimes
19:00 - What can the government do about this?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Jamie Yang

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Read about Taiwan's white-collar fraud problems: https://bit.ly/47TlsNW
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Welcome to a special episode of Taiwanology! In the midst of the UN climate conference, COP28, unfolding in Dubai, our host takes center stage as a dedicated climate reporter. Join us as we explore the intricate world of climate reporting, unravel the challenges of greenwashing, and dissect the elements that define exceptional climate journalism.

In this episode, Kwangyin sheds light on Taiwan's crucial role in the global climate conversation. Contrary to popular belief, Taiwan's impact is more significant than meets the eye. As we navigate through the discussion, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope in the face of the climate emergency, underscoring the belief that every individual can contribute to drawing attention and inspiring action.

This episode is a collaborative effort with "The Switch - Not Just Another Podcast," originally airing on Nov. 7. For those who prefer a visual experience, the entire episode is available on YouTube.

Host: Kristina Hagström-Ilievska
Guest: Kwangyin Liu

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊Tune in at: https://bit.ly/3T0bDJi
＊For more insight on Taiwan's climate battles, visit: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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In this episode, we chat with Elaine Huang from CommonWealth about TSMC's ambitious chip manufacturing hub in Phoenix, Arizona. We explore the project's challenges, from construction delays to labor disputes, and address concerns such as potential water shortages raised by a local alfalfa farmer. Our conversation also touches on TSMC's strategies moving forward amidst the labor controversy. Can planning mitigate the climate change risks? And how quickly does TSMC have to adapt to become a truly international company?

06:25 - Why is TSMC building a fab in the US?
14:15 - An anfalfa farmer's worry over future water shortages
24:00 - The view from Phoenix water authorities
27:14 - How the labor disputes can be resolved

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Elaine Huang, Senior Writer of CommonWealth Magazine

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English:https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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There's been a shift in the restructuring of the global supply chain, in the wake of a trend to derisk from China for manufactured goods. Vietnam is at the heart of this transformation, becoming a busy hub where companies across the globe flock to. Meanwhile, Vietnam has its own ambitions of making electric cars and scooters. Silva Shih had an exclusive inside look at VinFast's EV assembly line and the founder of Selex Motors. What are their ambitions and how can Taiwan tap this opportunity?

05:40 - Vietnam's significance in the "friendshoring" trend
11:40 - Will Vietnam replace China's supply chain?
15:38 - Silva's impression at the Vinfast factory
26:25 - The aspirations of young Vietnamese

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Silva Shih, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Whether you love him or hate him, Elon Musk is impossible to ignore. Walter Isaacson should show, because he had spent two years on his side. In this special episode, my colleagues Charo and Yishan talked to Isaacson, the author of the most comprehensive biography on Elon Musk so far.

In September, CommonWealth Magazine published the traditional Chinese version of the biography in Taiwan. In the interview, he talked about how Musk thinks about rules, his controversial stance on China and Taiwan, and why his mother fears that he would one day become his father.

Hosts: Kwangyin Liu, Charo Wu, Yishan Chen
Guest: Walter Isaacson, author of Elon Musk's biography, Professor of History at Tulane University

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Taiwan doesn’t just make semicondictor chips, it also puts together the Nikes, New Balances, Adidas shoes on your feet. Over 70% of Nikes and 90% of New Balance shoes are made by Taiwan companies. Ever sported gear from Puma, New Balance, Mizuno, or On Running? There's a high chance they came from Diamond Group's factories. Each year, they roll out a whopping 35 million pairs of sports shoes.

Hear from the two CEOs from the Diamond Group to find out why Taiwan is so good at making shoes.

10:40 - Why Diamond Group has factories in 6 different countries
13:20 - Why India will be making most of the Nike shoes very soon
14:14 - It takes a village to make a pair of running shoes
18:43 - Why Taiwan remains indispensable for the largest shoemakers
24:30 - How Taiwan shoemakers outsmart Korean & Chinese competitors

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Louis Chen 陳立宗, CEO of Diamond Group
Bang Lin 林邦彥, Vice Chairman of Diamond Group & CEO of Cortina Global

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English:https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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As we focus on the upcoming Taiwan presidential election in January 2024, the scene is surely getting crowded. Besides DPP's Lai Ching-te, KMT's Hou You-yi and Ko Wen-je representing the Taiwan People’s Party, Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn, also joined the race.

With geopolitical tensions rising, some are calling this election the most pivotal one for Taiwan's destiny. What’s really at stake? Why is that the candidates all seem to need to win trust from the US? And what will the challenges be for the next leader?

11:35 - What makes the upcoming election so pivotal for Taiwan?
14:48 - The role Beijing plays in Taiwan's past presidential elections
19:01 - What American endorsement means for the candidates

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Kharis Templeman, Hoover Institution Research Fellow at Stanford University

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English:https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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The flavors of Taiwan, including mini puffs, bubble tea and dry noodles, are gaining popularity in the US and Europe. In this delicious episode, we talk to the mochi master, Alvin Huang from Royal Family Foods, which is selling 1.5 million mochis a day. Why is this dessert captivating Gen Z in over 50 countries? Why is mochi Taiwanese and international at the same time?

15:45 - Who are the Americans buying mochis?
16:25 - Collaboration with Haagen-Dazs
21:25 - The birth of "bubble tea mochi"

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Alvin Huang, Director of Sales and Marketing, Royal Family Food Company

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English:https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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While the Taiwan issue is often seen through a lens of cross-strait conflicts, how does it impact Taiwan’s economy and interactions with the world? Are there alternative and more nuanced ways for us to talk about Taiwan? In this episode we talk with George Yin, a research associate at Fairbank Center at Harvard. Amidst growing geopolitical tension, he argues that the importance of diplomacy cannot be overlooked. How can Taiwan be the bridge, rather than the frontline?

07:40 - How has the war on Ukraine highlighted anxiety about Taiwan?
18:24 - Are Taiwan people really not concerned about the prospect of armed conflicts?
27:40 - Taiwan's potential to be the "bridge" and how to start

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: George Yin, Distinguished Research Fellow at National Taiwan University’s Center for China Studies

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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#MeToo has taken Taiwan by storm, following a young woman's bombshell sexual harassment allegation in May. Over 100 victims, both men and women, have come forward to accuse prominent figures in politics, the arts, and academia. Inspired by a popular drama series "Wave Makers", the movement has prompted self-reflect and even a law revamp, but will real changes happen?

01:20 - Filmmaker Lynn telling her own story
18:30 - Why women in Taiwan are not speaking out
28:00 - Why there’s resistance to acknowledge the victims

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Nien-hsuan Fang, Associate Professor of National Chengchi University

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

＊CW English: https://english.cw.com.tw
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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Ever since the introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT, many have marveled at its potential to assist human work while others are concerned about potential abuse or being replaced by it. In this episode, Kwangyin talked with Ethan Tu, founder of Taiwan AI Labs, who was once head of a Microsoft team that created the AI assistant Cortana, which later became the team that created ChatGPT.

08:40 - Is artificial intelligence threatening humanity?
12:35 - What’s Taiwan’s unique strength in the development of large language models?
21:30 - How AI is used to detect COVID patients
22:07 - The implication of AI for the music industry
27:42 - Will news anchors be replaced by AI?

The use of the audio clip of the single “Teach Me the Ways to Be Your Love” was authorized by Sandee Chen.

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Ethan Tu, Founder of Taiwan AI Labs

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

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With a yearly rainfall 2.6 times the global average, it's hard to imagine that water scarcity would be an issue for Taiwan. Over the past five years, Taiwan has no major typhoons, which has led to unprecedented droughts. How can Taiwan ensure a sustainable water supply not only for chipmakers like TSMC but also for the farmers, and its people?

04:52 - Why Taiwan is facing water shortages?
10:15 - The battle for water between rice farmers and chipmakers
13:20 - The "pearl necklace project" to connect reservoirs
21:09 - Why is water so cheap in Taiwan?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guest: Chien-Hsin Lai, the Director-General of Taiwan's Water Resources Agency

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

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The relationship between China and the U.S. is not only at its lowest point in decades, but appears to be trapped in a downward spiral.

With Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterating his resolve to reunify Taiwan, many articles and podcasts portrayed Taiwan as a potential flashpoint between US and China, as if Taiwan has no agency, and there is nothing Taiwan could do. Is that true?

7:05 - How Taiwan's democracy evolved over the past 30 years?
12:40 - How are the China-based Taiwanese businesses coping with rising geopolitical tension?
19:36 - Germany's much anticipated new China strategy.
23:58 - Is there anything Taiwan can do to avoid a US-China conflict?
30:15 - Is skepticism towards the U.S. really growing in Taiwan's society?

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Gunter Schubert, Professor of Greater China Studies at University of Tübingen

Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Huang

Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

At the CommonWealth semiconductor forum March 16, the 91-year-old TSMC founder Morris Chang reiterated the importance of Taiwan as a major force in semiconductor manufacturing, and stressed that the growing trend of diversification of chip making would result in higher costs.

Chris Miller, Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University, gave a brief speech on how TSMC became the most important chipmaker in the world, followed by an hour-long dialogue with Chang, moderated by CommonWealth chairperson Yinchuen Wu.

This one-hour encounter was mostly peaceful and nostalgic, but occasionally, Chang would raise challenging questions, such as the one about the US friendshoring strategy, or a critical comment on what’s really behind the American CHIPS Act.

Host: Kwangyin Liu
Guests: Morris Chang, TSMC founder
Chris Miller, Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University

E-mail：bill@cw.com.tw

For the second episode of the Taiwanology podcast, we hopped on a plane and took a trip to India. The 3 Commonwealth reporters Elaine Huang, Andy Yang and Peiying Hsieh visited India to get insights into the Indian Electronic Manufacturing Industry, and especially the working conditions of Foxconn in India.

Recently, India is becoming increasingly important for international electronic manufacturers, partly due to its low labour costs, partly due to rising manufacturing costs in China.

Numerous international corporations are investing in India to build new factories. Above all, Foxconn, the largest manufacturer of iPhones globally. Together with Vedanta, Foxconn is investing $20 billion in the Indian state of Gujarat to build a gigantic semiconductor manufacturing facility. Further investments into India might follow over the next few years and Foxconn could create thousands, if not hundred of thousands of new jobs in India.

Andy, Elaine and Peiying also met with workers at a current Foxconn facility in India. They even had the opportunity to visit one worker’s home. Everything about Taiwanese investments in the Indian Electronics Manufacturing industry in this episode!

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor & English website editor at CommonWealth Magazine
Guests: Elaine Huang, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Andy Yang, Reporter of CommonWealth Magazine
Pei-ying Hsieh, Photographer of CommonWealth Magazine

E-mail：bill@cw.com.tw

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For the debut episode of the Taiwanology podcast, we delved into Taiwan’s role in the global chip supply chain. And, most importantly, its role in the chip war. Our guest is Miin Wu, founder of Macronix International, who has over 50 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. If you own a Nintendo Switch or a Canon camera, your device has chips made by Macronix.

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is the most competitive in the world. But what does it mean for Taiwan when geopolitical tensions dominate the headlines? When the major countries like the US or those in Europe require that advanced chips be made on their own soil, does this new trend render Taiwan less secure?

Speakers:
-Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor & English website editor at CommonWealth Magazine
-Miin Wu, Founder & Chairman of Macronix International Co., Ltd

E-mail：bill@cw.com.tw