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PODCAST

Taiwanology

Common Wealth Magazine

The Taiwanology podcast is produced by Taiwan’s CommonWealth Magazine, where we discuss Taiwan’s geopolitics, technology and culture, and why they matter to the rest of the world. Powered by Firstory Hosting

news news commentary

All Episodes

28:43

【Taiwanology Ep.33】What would Trump 2.0 mean for...

Taiwanology ·

2024/08/27

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

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25:53

【Taiwanology Ep.32】When a German Came to Taiwan to...

Taiwanology ·

2024/08/13

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

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22:39

【Taiwanology Ep.31】Germany's Battery Quest: Can...

Taiwanology ·

2024/07/30

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

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26:49

【Taiwanology Ep.30】Meet the Man Building Taiwan's...

Taiwanology ·

2024/07/23

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

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28:57

【Taiwanology Ep.29】Who's keeping Hong Kong bustling?

Taiwanology ·

2024/07/09

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

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45:25

【Taiwanology Ep.28】Why U.S. Companies are Still...

Taiwanology ·

2024/06/25

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.

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41:39

【Taiwanology Ep.27】Why Taiwan provides most of the...

Taiwanology ·

2024/06/11

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

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50:39

【Taiwanology Ep.26】On being environmental journalists...

Taiwanology ·

2024/05/28

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

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37:43

【Taiwanology Ep.25】How can Taiwan build more...

Taiwanology ·

2024/05/14

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

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30:11

【Taiwanology Ep.24】How worried should we be about...

Taiwanology ·

2024/04/23

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

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28:25

【Taiwanology Ep.23】What’s behind Taiwan’s ETF craze?

Taiwanology ·

2024/04/09

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

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37:44

【Taiwanology Ep.22】How Taiwan can grow its population

Taiwanology ·

2024/03/26

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

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25:55

【Taiwanology Ep.21】Japan's Chip Revival: TSMC's Touch

Taiwanology ·

2024/03/12

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

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24:11

【Taiwanology Ep.20】What Shein tells us about China's...

Taiwanology ·

2024/02/27

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

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40:19

【Taiwanology Ep.19】Taiwan's migrant workers have a dream

Taiwanology ·

2024/01/23

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

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55:29

【Taiwanology Ep.18】After that: a conversation with...

Taiwanology ·

2024/01/09

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

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40:16

【Taiwanology Ep.17】What's at stake in Taiwan's...

Taiwanology ·

2023/12/26

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

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24:15

【Taiwanology Ep.16】Taiwan's white-collar fraud problem

Taiwanology ·

2023/12/12

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

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66:37

【Taiwanology Ep.15】Taiwan's role in combating climate...

Taiwanology ·

2023/11/28

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

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33:59

【Taiwanology Ep.14】TSMC's Arizona challenges

Taiwanology ·

2023/11/15

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

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53 results

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