Taiwan Report

Current Affairs Taiwan 台灣時事 #40 (04-13-2020) Soft Power and the Propaganda Wars

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including China pressuring Taiwan militarily and via a massive propaganda push, updates on the Han Recall and his new lawsuit to try to stop it, the complexities of changing national airline names for Taiwan, a discussion on international media coverage of Taiwan, plans for subsidizing universities now that China is cutting some of their supply of students, the KMT chair Johnny Chiang making some right moves, EU parliament and overseas reaction to Taiwan's soft-power reputation.

Note: For clarification, Wisconsin's State Council rejected China's request to pass a bill that would praise China and instead passed a resolution that blasted China. However, this action by China is part of a new aggressive push in a propaganda war.

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You can find the Current Affairs Podcast on anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw.

New coronavirus cases continue to show a strong downward trend, but Taiwan's death toll rises to six. New crowd management measures and a new app are on the way. Taipei gets face mask vending machines. Academia Sinica may have made a crucial breakthrough that possibly may lead to coronavirus treatments. Get coffee every day? Those servers are probably not washing their hands--but help may be on the way. No crowds for baseball? Make them yourself! Transport minister Lin Chia-lung again comments on changing the name of China Airlines. NCC raps CTV over finances. NPP lawmakers are sniffing around Kaohsiung, could a mayoral run be the reason? KMT picks a bigshot to head its online marketing campaign. The Tedros and WHO controversy takes some unexpected turns. Both the US and Chinese militaries have been very active in the region recently. Finally, a report in the People's Daily has me concerned.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Note: There was an error that resulted in the tail end of the show being cut out. This has since been fixed.

Only one new coronavirus case, the government claims electronic surveillance is legal, and I look at the law in question, and the new online system for sending masks abroad goes down. Group comments on monkey business. TPP lawmaker makes a move...but don't read too much into...except maybe you should. Premier approves an irrigation bill. Who cares, you ask? It's a big deal, and I'll explain why. Johnny Chiang comments on the 1992 consensus. Will Han's strategy of laying low help him win the recall? The KMT thinks so. US worries on China lead to approval of cable links to Taiwan. US and PRC do flybys. PRC bans students from studying in Taiwan. Taiwan remembers who its friends are. Taiwanese show their outrage at WHO's Tedros by sending nice pictures. Taiwan slaps back at Tedros, showing how Taiwan helps Ethiopia. PRC Doubles down on Tedros' claim of Taiwanese racism. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Taiwan makes more moves on the coronavirus but also makes some breakthroughs that offer hope. Hon Hai has finally found something useful to do with its Wisconsin plant. Taiwan students to the rescue with robots! MOE joins on in banning Zoom. A study shows most disinformation on the coronavirus is imported, no prizes at figuring out from where. Control Yuan steps in on labor insurance for migrant fishers, but will it be implemented? The economic outlook continues to be mixed, and government finances have taken a hit. Han Kuo-yu's lawyer takes legal action to block recall. President Tsai and Japan's Shinzo Abe show public support for each other. Two stories on ties with India, one that may be a big boost for local sports. Taiwan slams Tedros on the claim that Taiwan launched racist attacks against the WHO head. Finally, a lawmaker starts a fire in her office, threatening to burn down the legislature's second building.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Plenty of coronavirus news with more subsidies, face mask rules on their way, but new cases are down, and local scientists make a breakthrough.  Taiwan makes moves to bypass the WHA in May.  Taiwan to the rescue on the world stage.  HK's Carrie Lam defends attack on RTHK, asking about Taiwan's role in the WHO.  Taiwan bans Zoom from all official use.  French parliamentarians show support. The third runway at Taoyuan Airport gets EPA nod despite explosive concerns.  Business news is mixed.  NPP accuses President Tsai of breaking her word and demands changes to the Assembly and Parade Act.  Johnny Chiang goes back to the future with the Institute of Revolutionary Practice plan to promote party talent.  Finally, ahead of schedule, the second-stage signature drive is approved, clearing the way for the recall vote against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu to go forward in June. 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. 

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs.  It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Current Affairs Taiwan 台灣時事 #39 (04-06-2020) Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including the back-and-forth between a KMT lawmaker and Premier Su after the lawmaker said "Taiwan is not a country" as well as proposals on changing the name of China Airlines and what to put in English on the passports. The government has launched a massive, NT$1.05 trillion stimulus package. The BBC continues its rich tradition of inadequate Taiwan coverage, and much more!

All our podcasts from now on are at anchor.fm/taiwanreport

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw.

May Jam in Tainan sponsored this show, for more information visit https://www.mayjam.com/en/

The CECC sends messages to crowded areas to tell people to keep away from each other and other coronavirus updates. The Taipei Times runs an editorial with creative ideas on how to build consensus on a new name for China Airlines and what to replace the "Republic of China" with on the passports. The second stage results of the Han recall signature drive will be announced in less than two weeks. Foreign Minister Wu takes Hong Kong to task. Some citizens are pushing Taiwan to go to the moon, and finally, a strict application of police procedures leads to a situation that seems more like a parody. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Coronavirus news, including more details on subsidies for businesses and the announcement if you don't wear your mask on public transportation, you're going to get hit with a hefty fine. With the nation facing a driver shortage, the government is moving to lift the 65 age cap on drivers of heavy vehicles, with some conditions. The US State Department calls for WHA observer status. Finally, some love from Italy's largest paper.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. This show is intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

More details on government steps to contain the coronavirus and more details on the huge N$1.05 trillion package, lawmakers push for pet policy, and the KMT lawmaker at the center of a sovereignty spat says something surprising that is quoted on the KMT official website. Taiwan to the rescue, but who is on and off the list is revealing. HK government slaps RTHK over the WHO interview. Finally, the US and Taiwan convene a high-level virtual meeting, that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago--and not just because it was virtual. 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. 

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Several big news items on the coronavirus, including a call for companies that cannot practice social distancing to shut, restaurants re-arrange their tables and chairs and baseball will start the season in empty stadiums. President Tsai goes big on aiding the world with much-needed supplies to combat the coronavirus crisis, making the PRC look bad in the process by not only donating and not selling items, but Taiwan is also providing far more than the PRC and unlike the PRC's dodgy and faulty products, Taiwan's donations so far appear to be top quality. USTR weighs in on trade with Taiwan with a mixed report. Premier Su calls a KMT lawmaker "unqualified to be a lawmaker" after she says "Taiwan is not a country", and the KMT demands an apology. Johnny Chiang's KMT lineup is starting to grow clearer. 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. Be sure to subscribe to us on Youtube (and click the bell) or on your favorite podcast service.  This is the fastest way to get the latest show. Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).