Taiwan Report

Debate on adultery law to proceed.  Railways to soon be an electric avenue.  Transgender activists call for change.  Migrant workers tired of living in fire traps.  Plenty of news on the coronavirus, including Su commenting the govt may spend NT$1 trillion.  The WHO controversies roll on.  Johnny Chiang appeals to the young to reform the KMT, not just bitch about it--but act fast; you've got until Sunday to apply. Premier Su lays down some daunting conditions for removing "ROC" from the covers of the passport in English, leaving only "Taiwan"--but it may be a challenge to Johnny Chiang's sincerity.  It finally looks like Wei Ming-ku may take a stab at regaining his lost crown.

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).

Big show today!  The CECC says they are looking to strengthen measures against the coronavirus, are they worried about something?  Hao Po-tsun has passed away.  Johnny Chiang meets Wu Sz-huai, they agree to a consensus.  Men are rape victims too, as the Late Late Show's Brian Tseng and Taipei City Councillor Froggy Chiu make public.  Big data to be used to beat big wind.  Audrey Tang touts blockchain ledgers.  Taiwan to allow more overseas workers in for government construction cases.  A very odd power struggle appears to be forming between the Minister of the Interior and the head of the National Police Agency, and Premier Su seems to be backing the head of the NPA.  Most Taiwanese want the "Republic of China" off the passports, at least in English.  Burger King China attacks Burger King Taiwan.  WHO, stung by bad PR, finally utters the "T" word. 

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).

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) actually prefer social distancing by avoiding each other in yet another remote podcast episode. This week Donovan talks about doing hard time under quarantine and later the broader implications. The Taiwan People's Party attacks the Taiwan head of the COVID-19 response team. The KMT pushes to lower the voting age to 18 and to allow 20-year-olds to run for office. There's yet more news on KMT's Wu Sz-Huai. A talk about Taiwan's adultery laws. Also, a mention of WHO's mal-treatment of Taiwan. The news outlets kicked from the PRC are welcome in Taiwan.

If you would prefer to listen to the show, our podcast version is at anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

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/

Updates on the Wuhan coronavirus, including info on how to find out if you can get subsidies and benefits, a bad BBC report, and privacy concerns going forward.  Premier Su says "science" will guide policy on ractopamine, a major irritant in US trade relations, but whose science will he follow?  The US and EU disagree on just that. WHO head blames Taiwan for criticism, and accused Taiwan of having "political motivations" for wanted to join the organization. Taiwanese distrust of the PRC continues to rise to record levels.  Johnny Chiang is making decisive moves so far to repair the party's reputation, but the hard stuff has yet to come.  Finally, corruption in Taiwan and the head of the National Policy Agency is being investigated.   

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).

Now that everyone involved is safe, sound and free, I can go public with it: I was quarantined. The police showed up five times at my door thinking I had broken quarantine. I hadn't. A former judge and his son charged for renting a ship, smuggling coal from North Korea to Vietnam. Farmer pension plan proposed. The constitutional court is to consider whether or not a law that shields rapists should continue. Trump, as expected, has signed the TAIPEI Act. Reportedly the US is considering blocking TSMC from selling to Huawei. Both the US and Taiwan militaries on the move and the PRC can't' seem to figure out what the body of water is separating themselves from Taiwan. Half a million people want Tedros out, and Taiwan in, the WHO. Finally, some good news for fish.  

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).

Govt claims to protect privacy, then outlines how they're doing exactly that.  Big subsidies are on the way, with some details released--will they help you?  With controversy over KMT legislator-at-large Wu Sz-huai ongoing, KMT chair Johnny Chiang issues threat to misbehaving legislators-at-large, which if he takes strong action would send a strong message. Finally, 3Q wants tests for visiting Chinese and wants to get Hong Kongers to join the ROC military. 

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).

Plenty of coronavirus news, most of it pretty reassuring considering the chaos overseas.  The KMT ill-gotten assets are stuck in legal limbo.  KMT Chair Johnny Chiang announcing they're hiring for an online push to reach out to young people.  Taiwan conducts large-scale military exercises.  Finally, the economic news--while not great--is surprisingly stable all things considered.   

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).

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) are continuing with their social distancing in this podcast episode. Michael is stuck in a noisy room, so you'll hear plenty of ambient noises from Taiwan. This week the duo cover PRC fishing boats attacking Taiwan coast guard, the Taiwanese stock market crash, pressure on international workers, and amnesty for them and those on visas by the National Immigration Office, the third year of Lee Ming Che in PRC political imprisonment, death penalty phased out slowly, New Tide Faction and their beef with Su, Han Kuo Yu getting balder than bald, Johnny Chiang rehashing old formulas.

If you would prefer to listen to the show, our podcast version is at anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

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/

Japan is reportedly considering including Taiwan in regional trade pact CPTPP.  Coronavirus updates.  Lawmakers want to crack down on uncooperative disease carriers. The KMT to vote on milking the membership for more moolah.  KMT heavyweights let the pigeons fly (stand up) new KMT chairs invite to a big party meeting.  Worried about all those PRC military fly-bys and encircling maneuvers?  Lawmaker Wu Sz-huai isn't worried.  Finally, according to a UN agency, Taiwan is the happiest country in the region. 

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).

The National Immigration Agency (NIA) has announced a 30-day extension for foreign visitor visas, and announced a program to get visa overstayers (often undocumented workers) to turn themselves in that offers generous terms--but then darkly warns that when the period is over they're going to launch tougher laws and a widespread crackdown.  Coronavirus is in the news, of course. New airline Starlux shuts operations.  Tighter fuel fume rules to go into effect. Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu's "Hong Kong village" plan panned. Is the Taoyuan Airport expansion finally coming unstuck?  Finally, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu once again does what he does best--sticking it to the PRC. 

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).