Dispatch from Taiwan

U.S. Institute of Peace X Ghost Island Media•dispatch-from-taiwan.castos.com

“Dispatch from Taiwan”, a podcast by the U.S. Institute of Peace and Ghost Island Media based in Taiwan, delves into the policy debates within Taiwan that could have implications for the region and beyond. Each episode features Taiwanese local experts and voices weighing in on social, economic, and defense issues, and discusses how the society there is responding to these challenges.

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Episodes

Episode 5: People’s Relations -- Moving Between Taiwan and China

From 1945 to 1949, an estimated million-plus people from China arrived in Taiwan. The newcomers joined an existing population of 6 million, significantly changing the demographic makeup of modern Taiwan. In this episode, we look at the stories of some of those who arrived, and how perspectives of China differ among generations and those who travel back and forth. People we spoke to agreed that regular and meaningful interactions between citizens across the Taiwan Strait are necessary. Otherwise,...

Mar 04, 2024•37 min

Episode 4: Economic Coercion -- Diversifying and Derisking from China

China has a track record of banning products from Taiwan, including fish, alcohol, fruits and other agricultural goods. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, 35.2 percent of Taiwan's total exports went to China and Hong Kong in 2023 — down from 38.8 percent in 2022. In this episode, we examine how China uses trade to try to influence Taiwan and how Taiwan pushes back. We also look at how Taiwan's trade partners help alleviate pressure, and how negotiators see the role of trade pact...

Feb 08, 2024•31 min

Episode 3: ‘Silicon Shield’ -- Looking Beyond Semiconductors

Taiwan makes 65 percent of the world’s semiconductors and roughly 90 percent of the world’s most advanced computer chips — employing 2.5 percent of the local workforce and accounting for a staggering 15 percent of the island nation’s GDP in the process. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is so dominant that some think it might help deter a Chinese invasion. The thinking is that any attack on Taiwan would disrupt the global tech supply chain, so the world has a stake in peace across the Taiwan Strai...

Jan 25, 2024•27 min

Episode 2: Disinformation -- Building Digital Resilience

In October, the director of the National Security Bureau — Taiwan’s intelligence agency — warned the public against China’s possible interference in Taiwan’s elections set to be held on January 13, 2024. China might conduct and release opinion polls using local companies in Taiwan, the director said. In mid-December, a Taiwanese man was arrested for allegedly fabricating eight public opinion polls at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party in Fujian. When it comes to election interference f...

Jan 12, 2024•32 min

Episode 1: Defense -- Rising Awareness and Preparation

Taiwan elects a new president on January 13, 2024. Peace across the Taiwan Strait is on people’s minds, but where the candidates and their political parties differ is how to maintain it. All three presidential candidates have indicated they would continue Taiwan’s current foreign policies, though they have different views of what shape relations with China and with the United States should take, as well as different priorities for Taiwan’s defense preparedness. As China continues its military ag...

Jan 08, 2024•24 min

Trailer: Dispatch from Taiwan

“Dispatch from Taiwan,” a podcast by USIP and Taiwan-based Ghost Island Media, delves into the policy debates within Taiwan that could have implications for the region and beyond. Each episode features Taiwanese local experts and voices weighing in on social, economic and defense issues and discusses how Taiwanese society is responding to these challenges. For more: https://www.usip.org/dispatch-taiwan

Jan 08, 2024•46 sec

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