Taiwan News Archives | Talking Taiwan Podcast

Why the Surge in Taiwan’s Coronavirus Cases? An Interview with Courtney Donovan Smith Ep 134

Felicia Lin — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:00:08 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

There has been a surge in Taiwan’s coronavirus cases since about mid-May, and Taiwan is now on COVID alert level 3, one level before full lockdown. I’ve invited Courtney Donovan Smith on to Talking Taiwan to talk about what led to the increase in COVID cases, the current situation and what’s happening with Taiwan’s efforts to acquire COVID vaccines. Courtney Donovan Smith is the central Taiwan correspondent for ICRT News, and one of the co-founders of the Taiwan Report, which I highly recommend as a really great news resource for what’s happening in Taiwan.

Since Courtney and I spoke on June 3rd, Taiwan remains at COVID alert level 3, on Friday, Japan sent over one million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Taiwan, and the U.S. has promised to donate 750,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

The current situation and atmosphere in Taiwan since COVID cases started to spike
How the increase in COVID cases were linked to commercial airline pilots who stayed at the Novotel airport hotel
Taiwan is currently at COVID alert level 3
What does COVID alert level 3 entail
What’s happened since Taiwan has been at COVID alert level 3
How the increase in COVID cases in Taiwan are due to the more virulent UK variant of COVID
How one of the factors to determine whether Taiwan will go to level 4 (full lockdown), is the number of cases with unknown origin and what constitutes a case of known or unknown origin
Taiwan is tentatively going to remain at level 3 until June 14
Reasons for the low COVID vaccination rate in Taiwan
Why Taiwan has not been able to procure Pfizer vaccines from German firm BioNTech and what happened to the deal
What China’s Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group (which claims to handle the Greater China market which includes Taiwan) has to do with Taiwan’s efforts to access COVID vaccines
The Chinese made COVID vaccine
China’s interference in Taiwan’s efforts to secure COVID vaccines
China’s reaction to the Japan’s offer to donate vaccines to Taiwan
How China interfered with relief efforts during the 921 Earthquake in Taiwan
The most well-known cases of COVID outbreaks in Taiwan involving the Taipei Wanhua district teahouses and “Grape Mother”

Eric Chang on China’s Breach of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone: Threat or Bluff? Ep 127

Felicia Lin — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:51:09 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

My guest on this episode of Talking Taiwan is Eric Chang, a writer for Taiwan News. On April 18^th we spoke about China’s April 12^th incursion into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, the largest one to date at the time. We also spoke about the longstanding military threat that China poses for Taiwan and the Asia Pacific region, what this means for Taiwan, how Taiwan has responded, the U.S.’s response and why it matters, and how the support and cooperation from neighboring countries is essential to keeping peace in the region.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

The difference between a country’s airspace and ADIZ (air defense identification zone)
When Taiwan’s ADIZ was set up
When China’s ADIZ was set up
How China’s air intrusions increased during the last year of Trump’s presidency
What prompted China’s April 12^thincursion into Taiwan’s ADIZ
The Taiwan Relations Act
What the median line is
When Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense started to publicly report China’s incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ
How many incursions there have been this year by China to Taiwan’s ADIZ
Alex Azar and Keith Krach’s visits to Taiwan
Taiwan’s response to China’s incursions
What damage China can do to Taiwan with their fighter planes
The strategy/motivation behind China’s incursions
The war of attrition
Gray zone tactics
How willing China is to attack Taiwan?
How concerned people in Taiwan are about the China’s military threat
China’s increasing military aggression in the Asia region
Taiwan’s defense abilities
The new multimission amphibious ships that Taiwan recently launched
Asymmetric warfare capabilities and how Taiwan can defend itself
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
How the Biden administration has reacted to China’s April 12^thincursion
China’s
Good sources to learn about Taiwan’s military situation

Photo of a U.S. Captain on a destroyer sailing right alongside a Chinese aircraft carrier.

Eric Chang on the Occupation of the Executive Yuan During the Sunflower Movement Ep 121

Felicia Lin — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:50:03 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

March 23^rd will mark the seventh anniversary of the short-lived occupation of the Executive Yuan by students involved in the Sunflower Movement of 2014. The Sunflower Movement began when students and activists occupied the Legislative Yuan on March 18, 2014 in an effort to block the passage of a trade pact between Taiwan and China. At a press conference on March 23, then President Ma Ying-jeou stated his resolve in passing the trade pact.

This led to the students attempt to occupy the Executive Yuan. Five days afterward, on March 28, 2014, I spoke to Eric Chang also known as Ahbying, who was there that night about what he saw firsthand and experienced that night.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

His candid conversation with a cop at the Executive Yuan before the scene turned violent
His firsthand account of what he saw and experienced the night that students tried to occupy the Executive Yuan
How he reacted when the police hit him
The media’s coverage of what happened on March 23^rdat the Executive Yuan
His thoughts of the occupation of the Legislative Yuan and Sunflower Movement

Taipei Times Columnist Michael Turton Talks About the Taiwan Pineapple Ban by China Ep 119

Felicia Lin — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 21:54:10 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Michael Turton is a political commentator, writer and Taipei Times columnist based in Taichung, Taiwan. I first learned about him through his long running blog, The View From Taiwan when I lived in Taiwan myself and started blogging about living there. I’ve invited him on to the podcast to talk about China’s recent Taiwan pineapple ban. We talked about what’s really behind the ban and how trade issues between China and Taiwan led to the 2014 Sunflower Movement and occupation of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan building.

CORRECTION: At 1:28 when Michael says “over in Xiamen” he meant to refer to Fujian. There several towns in Fujian- Yongfu and Qingliu but not Xiamen, that are now using agricultural techniques learned from Taiwan. See link to the CommonWealth Magazine article, “Is Taiwan’s Farm Sector Selling Out to China” for reference.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Why China banned pineapples imported from Taiwan
What has happened since the ban
How the ban will impact Taiwan
What are the larger issues behind what happened and why China banned Taiwan’s pineapples
What can people overseas can do to support Taiwan, aside from buying Taiwan pineapples
How consumption is related to Taiwanese identity
What trade issues with China have to do with the Sunflower Movement
What precipitated the occupation of the Legislative Yuan building by the Sunflower Movement activists in March 2014
How the caucus system in Taiwan is set up to slow down the legislature
The problems with Taiwan’s constitution
How the spat between then President Ma Ying-jeou and Speaker Wang Jin-pyng contributed to the occupation of the Legislative Yuan by the Sunflower Movement activists in March of 2014
How the Sunflower Movement strengthened the Taiwanese identity of a generation that grew up in a democratic Taiwan vs. those who previously grew up under Kuomintang rule in the 1970s and 80s

Dr. Peter Tsai N95 Mask Inventor Helps to Fight Covid-19 Ep 101

Felicia Lin — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 13:28:08 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

In part two of my interview part two with Dr. Peter Tsai, he talks about how he was called out of retirement to help address the shortage and demand for N95 masks with the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Tsai is the Taiwanese American inventor of the N95 mask technology who has come out of retirement to figure out how to sterilize N95s for reuse, and to help scale up production of the masks.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

How Dr. Tsai was contacted and came out of retirement because of the demand and shortage of N95 masks
How he tested whether or not N95 masks could be sterilized
The shelf life of N95 masks
The experiments that Dr. Tsai conducted to determine how to sterilize N95 masks so that they could be reused
COVID-19 can survive for 28 days on smooth surfaces
If N95 masks get wet, submerged in water, or come into high humidity it won’t have charge decay, however if washed with soap and water N-95 masks will lose their effectiveness
The stories of how people found Dr. Tsai
How Dr. Tsai has worked harder than he did before retiring
Dr. Tsai’s relationship with Oak Ridge Labs, and how he was able to help them scale up their production of N95 masks
Why there’s been a shortage of N95 masks
How he’s been nicknamed the “screwdriver professor”
Research-oriented vs. industry-oriented science
Why Dr. Tsai decided to come out of retirement to work on N95 technology and what’s next

Dr. Peter Tsai N95 Mask Inventor: The Man Who Created the Technology Ep 100

Felicia Lin — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 16:15:07 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Dr. Peter Tsai is the Taiwanese American inventor of the technology behind the N95 mask, the piece of personal protective equipment that has become such a part of our everyday vernacular since the onset of the global Coronavirus pandemic. With the shortage of N95 respirators at the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Tsai was called out of retirement to figure out how to sterilize N95s for reuse, and to help scale up production of the masks. In part one of my interview with him he talks about his roots and early career. Dr. Tsai also explains how the technology behind the material of N95s works, offers some suggestions on how to make more protective D.I.Y. masks, and why everyone should wear masks.

Next week we’ll be sharing part two of my interview with Dr. Tsai next week, in which he talks about how he was called out of retirement and what has happened since.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

What it was like growing up as one of 10 children
One of his early childhood inventions
Why he decided to pursue further studies in the United States
What it was like when he first arrived in the U.S. and what his expectations were
The biggest challenge Dr. Tsai faced when first arriving in the U.S.
The tough decision that Dr. Tsai had to make about his two daughters while he was still working on obtaining his PhD degree
When and how Dr. Tsai started working on the material that is now used for the N95 mask
How adding an electrostatic charge to fibers improves their filtration efficiency
How the “corona charge” (yes, the same word “corona” but different in meaning from the Coronavirus “corona”) when added to microfibers improves filtration efficiency by 10 times
The first use of this charged fabric technology was for air filtration in 1992
In 1995 the U.S. was set to issue new standards for respirators, which is now called the N95
The 95 of “N95” mask refers to the fact that it needs to filter out 95% of submicron particles
How the science behind charging fibers works
The misconception that the size of a fabric’s pores need to be smaller than particles to block them
Electrostatic charged media is good material for respirators
The comparison between cloth masks (which are made of woven material) and N95 masks (which are made of nonwoven material)
Cloth masks with higher filtration efficiency must be compactly woven, thicker or higher weight
How cloth masks are good shields to contain the virus inside a mask avoid infecting others
Cloth masks are not ideal but they can contain the spread of the virus to others
Dr. Tsai’s recommendations regarding wearing cloth masks
The most commonly found types of nonwoven materials that can be used as a filter for a D.I.Y. mask
How to test if a fabric is hydrophobic
How a MERV 14 home use filter (typically used for air filters) is electrostatically charged and hydrophobic and good to use as a filter for a D.I.Y. mask
Dr. Tsai explains why he thinks everyone needs to wear a mask (whether its cloth or N95)
How Dr. Tsai is working on making high filtration efficiency materials more breathable
Research on the material used for the N95 mask began in 1987, then in 1992 the technology used for the N95 mask was first developed
The material has been improved from 1992-2018
How Dr. Tsai is motivated to innovate by the changing needs of the industry

Understanding the History of Taiwan through Dr. Jerome Keating Ep 97

Felicia Lin — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 10:00:32 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Dr. Jerome Keating has been living in Taiwan for over 30 years. Initially he came over to Taiwan to work on the MRT. He has written several books about Taiwan. We invited him on to the podcast to talk about this latest book, Taiwan The Struggle Gains Focus. Dr. Keating also reflected on how Taiwan has changed in the past 30 years, and we discussed things past and present including Taiwan’s complicated international status, amendment of the constitution, changing the official name of Taiwan (which is the Republic of China) and redesigning the passport and flag of Taiwan.

In part two of our interview, Dr. Keating will talk about his other writings, what he plans to write next, and how the owners of a popular New York-based Taiwanese American restaurant sought his advice before opening their restaurant.

CORRECTION: At the 14:40-minute in the interview, Dr. Keating remarks, “We are 75 years at the end of World War I.” What he meant to say is that, “We are 75 years at the end of World War II.”

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

What motivated Dr. Keating to write his latest book, Taiwan The Struggle Gains Focus
Who the book was intended for and who Dr. Keating writes for
How Taiwan has changed in the last 30 years
The semi-martial-like atmosphere of Taiwan when Dr. Keating arrived in 1988
Keating’s first book Island in the Stream and what motivated him to write it
What intrigues Dr. Keating about Taiwan as a subject matter
How the San Francisco Peace Treaty (signed in 1951) left Taiwan in a limbo status
How the US position on Taiwan 75 years after World War II is still undecided
The circumstances surrounding “Taiwan” aka the Republic of China losing its seat in the United Nations in 1971, which included a proposal to have 2 Chinas in the United Nations
The Republic of China and People’s Republic of China’s claims on China
How Taiwan has never had a seat in the United Nations
The Republic of China framework and constitution that Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang brought to Taiwan
Keating’s thoughts on amending Taiwan’s constitution
Changing the official name and flag that represent Taiwan
Submissions for the new Taiwan passport cover design
The Taiwan Civil Government wanting to make Taiwan the 51^st state of the United States
How Dr. Keating sees Taiwan’s future

The Coming Collapse of China: Gordon Chang Discusses His Books Ep 86

Felicia Lin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 11:37:26 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

In 2015, I spoke with Gordon Chang, author and political commentator about his views on China and his books, The Coming Collapse of China, and Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World. I recently invited him back on Talking Taiwan, to listen to that episode, check out episode 85.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

How Gordon went from practicing law to writing The Coming Collapse of China and becoming a political commentator who focuses on news about China
How Gordon’s views of China changed after he worked and lived there from 1996-2001
How the Chinese Communist Party is going in the wrong direction
What kind of reactions Gordon’s book, The Coming Collapse of China received
What’s going to happen if China does collapse?
China’s predatory trade policies
How China’s ban of certain websites and social media platforms delegitimizes the Chinese Communist Party
Gordon’s impressions of Taiwan
How Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement was inspired by Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement
Dissent in Hong Kong, Tibet and the Uighurs in Xinjiang
Gordon’s book Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World
How Gordon believes that the U.S. should be calling out China on North Korea
Gordon’s thoughts on the premise of the film The Interview and the cyber hacks on Sony
If Gordon has another book in the works

We recently invited Gordon back to Talking Taiwan to talk about the Hong Kong Security Law in Episode 85.

Hong Kong Security Law: An Interview with Political Commentator Gordon Chang Ep 85

Felicia Lin — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 07:32:49 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Gordon Chang is an author and political commentator. I first learned of him when I heard about his book The Coming Collapse of China. Then in 2015, I met and interviewed him for the Talking Taiwan podcast. We will re-share that episode at a later time. Recently, I invited Gordon back on to share his thoughts on the Hong Kong Security Law, India’s ban of TikTok, Zoom’s ties with China and the confirmed case of bubonic plague in China’s Inner Mongolia. Will the U.S. ban Tiktok? At the time this interview was recorded that question was unanswered.

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

What is the Hong Kong Security Law?
What does the Hong Kong Security Law mean for Hong Kong and its democracy movement?
What has happened since the law was enacted?
What has been the reaction to the law by people in Hong Kong and around the world?
China’s violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed on December 19, 1984
How can the international community hold China accountable for what’s happening to Hong Kong?
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s offer to give British citizenship to up 3 million people from Hong Kong
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen’s offer to provide refuge to the people of Hong Kong
What the Hong Kong Security Law means for Taiwan
How willing and able is China to take Taiwan by force?
India’s ban of 59 different Chinese apps including Tiktok and WeChat
Why the concern over Chinese apps?
The Chinese Communist Party’s 2017 National Intelligence Law
How Tiktok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company which is subject to the National Intelligence Law
How Zoom has sent information back to China, and canceled the accounts of activists who used Zoom to commemorate the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square
The confirmed case of bubonic plague in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the G4 Swine Flu
China’s handling of COVID-19

What Led to Taiwan’s Same Sex Marriage? Ep 83

Felicia Lin — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 01:59:18 +0000

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

In 2017 I interviewed Professor Wen Liu about the historic news of May 24, 2017, that Taiwan’s Constitutional Court had ruled that marriage is not strictly defined as being between a man and a woman. This paved the way for same sex marriage to be legalized in Taiwan in 2019. Since the Stonewall uprising, which began on June 28, 1969, led to the international gay rights movement, June has become recognized as worldwide Pride month. In recognition of Pride month, I’d like to re-share my interview with gender studies Professor Wen Liu.

Here’s a link to the original post of this interview: https://staging.talkingtaiwan.com/gender-studies-professor-wen-liu-talking-taiwan-ep-58/

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

The May 24th ruling by the Constitutional Court in Taiwan that same-sex marriage could be legalized
Mr. Chi Chia-wei who’s lawsuit led to the May 24th ruling
The history of the same-sex marriage battle and family law in Taiwan
Major turning points in Taiwan’s LGBTQ movement
The history behind Taiwan’s gay pride parade
How Taiwan compares to other Asian countries on LGBTQ issues
The next steps after the May 24th ruling
The marriage equality bill, civil partnership bill, multiple family bill
Other work that needs to be done in Taiwan for the LGBTQ community

Taiwan News Archives | Talking Taiwan Podcast

Why the Surge in Taiwan’s Coronavirus Cases? An Interview with Courtney Donovan Smith Ep 134

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Eric Chang on China’s Breach of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone: Threat or Bluff? Ep 127

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Eric Chang on the Occupation of the Executive Yuan During the Sunflower Movement Ep 121

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Taipei Times Columnist Michael Turton Talks About the Taiwan Pineapple Ban by China Ep 119

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Dr. Peter Tsai N95 Mask Inventor Helps to Fight Covid-19 Ep 101

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Dr. Peter Tsai N95 Mask Inventor: The Man Who Created the Technology Ep 100

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Understanding the History of Taiwan through Dr. Jerome Keating Ep 97

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

The Coming Collapse of China: Gordon Chang Discusses His Books Ep 86

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

Hong Kong Security Law: An Interview with Political Commentator Gordon Chang Ep 85

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links:

What Led to Taiwan’s Same Sex Marriage? Ep 83

A note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin:

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

Related Links: