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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

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All Episodes

24:21

Forced Labor? What Taiwan’s Exporters Must Do...

Taiwanology ·

2025/10/28

In September, U.S. Customs hit Taiwan's Giant with a Withhold Release Order—the first ever against a Taiwanese company—blocking its bikes from entering the U.S. over alleged forced labor. The move puts over US$1 billion in exports at risk and exposes gaps between Taiwan’s labor laws and global standards. What must Taiwan do to rebuild trust in its supply chains? 3:30 – Why is the broker system a high-risk factor for forced labor? 6:28 – What steps can Giant take to resume U.S. exports? 10:55 – Why

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42:39

Seeking Peace in Taiwan: An Israeli and a Palestinian...

Taiwanology ·

2025/09/23

As the world marks two years since the October 7 conflict, peace feels more distant than ever. Israeli peace educator Roi Silberberg and Palestinian scholar Hazem Almassry share deeply personal stories—from childhood in Gaza to life in a shared Jewish-Arab village. They reflect on Gaza’s devastation, Israel’s militarized “normal,” and Taiwan’s own security, arguing that peace begins not with agreements, but with dialogue. 03:00 — Hazem’s childhood in Gaza and path to Taiwan 09:50 — Roi’s journey

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32:52

【Taiwanology Ep.51】Why is Nuclear Power Back on...

Taiwanology ·

2025/08/27

Taiwan is at an energy crossroads. After decades of debate, a recent referendum revealed that over 70% favor restarting its last nuclear power plant. What does this shift mean for Taiwan’s energy security? We sit down with Danny Chang, former chairman of Star Buck Power Corp, to unpack Taiwan’s nuclear dilemma and why the island is rethinking its position on nuclear power. 0:00 – How Taiwan’s latest referendum sparks debate on nuclear power 6:00 – Why Taiwan’s anti-nuclear stance is rooted in

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29:43

【Taiwanology Ep.50】What Taiwan’s Largest Drills...

Taiwanology ·

2025/07/22

Taiwan’s largest military exercise, the Han Kuang drills, now includes a supermarket chain helping with evacuation plans. With China’s military pressure near-constant, Taiwan is expanding its defense strategy to include asymmetric warfare, civil defense, and psychological readiness. Silva Shih, CommonWealth Magazine's defense reporter, joins us to explain how Taiwan is preparing—and what could still be missing. - 3:10 Why does Taiwan’s defense conversation feel more urgent this year? - 8:08 The

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37:52

【Taiwanology Ep.49】How Taiwan's Mass Recall Movement...

Taiwanology ·

2025/06/24

In 2025, Taiwan is witnessing an unprecedented wave of citizen-led recall campaigns targeting lawmakers—mostly from the opposition Kuomintang. Branded the “mass recall” movement, it raises a question: is this a genuine expression of civic outrage, or a politically driven power play? To unpack the roots and implications of this political upheaval, we speak with Nathan Batto, political scientist and author of the Frozen Garlic blog. - 8:10 How does the Sunflower Movement connect to today’s recall

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28:34

【Taiwanology Ep.48】Molecules of Resilience: Can...

Taiwanology ·

2025/05/27

As global powers pour billions into the hydrogen economy, Taiwan is just getting started. In this episode, we ask: Is Taiwan ready for the hydrogen economy? Could hydrogen be Taiwan’s next move for energy security and net-zero goals? We explore what it will take for Taiwan to catch up, from industrial policy to infrastructure. - 03:30 From flour to fuel: How Linde LienHwa evolved into a hydrogen leader - 07:40 Why hydrogen? What makes it a game-changer in energy - 10:02 Hydrogen on the move: Its

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34:00

【Taiwanology Ep.47】Can America Reindustrialize?...

Taiwanology ·

2025/04/29

With Trump's return, the push for tariffs, reshoring, and a "great manufacturing renaissance" is gaining momentum. But what does reindustrialization actually look like—and where does Taiwan fit into this vision? Our guest, Jack Hou, COO of Universal Cement, shares insights from both sides of the Pacific, including how he helped turn around his family business and what it would take to rebuild manufacturing in the U.S. - The mood in Boston and New York about a second Trump term [05:40] - Can high

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30:52

【Taiwanology Ep.46】TSMC, AI, and the Chip War: Can...

Taiwanology ·

2025/03/25

What does it mean when the world’s most advanced chipmaker—Taiwan’s TSMC—pledges $100 billion to make advanced chips in the US? It’s more than just a business move. In this episode, we explore the geopolitical stakes, national security concerns, and the race for tech dominance between the U.S. and its rivals. Our guest, Jeremy Chang, CEO of Taiwan’s think tank DSET, joins us to unpack how this historic investment might reshape the global semiconductor landscape—and whether TSMC can remain at the

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29:24

【Taiwanology Ep.45】TSMC, Intel, and Trump’s Chip Gambit

Taiwanology ·

2025/02/25

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is shaking up the global semiconductor industry. Rumors are swirling that he wants TSMC to bail out Intel, raising big questions about Taiwan’s role in the U.S.-China tech war. Could TSMC realistically “save” its American rival? And what does this mean for Taiwan’s long-term competitiveness and the so-called Silicon Shield? We break it all down with Rocky Uriankhai, a leading expert on geopolitics and tech. - How Taiwan became a semiconductor powerhouse

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38:27

【Taiwanology Ep.44】RightsCon Comes to Taiwan: Human...

Taiwanology ·

2025/02/11

In late February, RightsCon, often nicknamed the Burning Man of human rights activism, takes place in Taiwan for the first time. This four-day event is expected to bring together thousands of activists, policymakers, and tech leaders to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of human rights and the digital age. What can we expect and why Taipei was picked to be the host city? - How Access Now and RightsCon began [6:40] - Why Raman left Google to join Access Now [9:25] - The origins of RightsCon

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38:08

【Taiwanology Ep.43】From Failure to Unicorn: How...

Taiwanology ·

2025/01/28

Taiwan is renowned for its world-class semiconductor manufacturing, but it’s not often recognized as a hub for software startups. So why did Appier, an AI-driven marketing tech company, choose Taiwan as its base—and how did it become the island’s first AI software unicorn? In this episode, co-founder Chih-han Yu shares the lessons learned from eight (!) failures. - What is Appier, and who are its customers? [4:30] - Eight failures and their lessons [10:54] - The ‘aha’ moment: Combining AI and

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33:08

【Taiwanology Ep.42】Trump 2.0: What It Means for...

Taiwanology ·

2025/01/14

As President-elect Trump returns to the White House, the stakes for U.S.-Taiwan relations are at an all-time high. Wenchi Yu, a renowned global affairs advisor and expert in cross-border strategy, offers her perspective on navigating the intricate dynamics among the U.S., Taiwan, and China during these volatile times. What can we expect from Donald Trump’s second term? - The mood in Washington, D.C., as Trump returns to power [09:17] - How Trump’s second term may differ from his first [11:39] -

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41:22

【Taiwanology Ep.41】Decathlon, Friendship, and Legacy:...

Taiwanology ·

2024/12/24

Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang finished just behind his close friend Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journalist Mike Chinoy and producer James Liu of Joint Pictures. - Mike Chinoy shares how he became involved in the project

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51:09

【Taiwanology Ep.40】Gunter Pauli on How...

Taiwanology ·

2024/12/10

In this Episode: We sit down with Gunter Pauli, a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the "Zero Emissions" and "Blue Economy" movements. Known as "the Steve Jobs of Sustainability" and "the Che Guevara of Sustainability," Gunter discusses groundbreaking ideas and the future of sustainable innovation. From pioneering the first zero-emissions factory to shaping global supply chains, Gunter's insights are a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a sustainable future.

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35:19

【Taiwanology Ep.39】Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A...

Taiwanology ·

2024/11/26

In this episode, we dive into female entrepreneurship and why it deserves greater attention. How can communities create an environment that enables and empowers women to thrive as business leaders? Our guest, Wingee Sin, Global Program Director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, shares her inspiring journey. From starting her career in investment banking to transitioning into a global role supporting women's entrepreneurship, Wingee’s path includes a fascinating stint as a chef in renowned

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29:46

【Taiwanology Ep.38】What a Trump Comeback Means for...

Taiwanology ·

2024/11/12

President Donald Trump is making a political comeback. What has driven him to victory? And what could this mean for US-Taiwan and US-China relations? To break it all down, we’re joined by Silva Shih, CommonWealth’s sharp-eyed China and defense correspondent. Reporting directly from two key battlegrounds—Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Miami, Florida—Silva brings us the pulse of the American voter. She shares firsthand stories from people grappling with pressing issues like inflation and takes us inside

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23:40

【Taiwanology Ep.37】Assessing the "Made in China 2025"...

Taiwanology ·

2024/10/22

Where can you experience pilotless aircraft, autonomous cars, and service robots all in one place? Surprisingly, it's not the US or Germany, but China. Today, we sit down with Yixuan Lin to dive into China's remarkable technological strides, even amid international sanctions and mounting global pressures. What does this mean for the rest of the world, and what challenges lie ahead for China's ambitious tech future? 04:05 - What's it like to test-drive Huawei's autonomous car? 06:04 - The sci-fi

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25:45

【Taiwanology Ep.36】Can Virginia's Data Center Hub...

Taiwanology ·

2024/10/08

Virginia is home to a third of the world’s data centers, serving as a critical backbone of the internet — and a battleground over power and land. CommonWealth's Senior Writer Elaine Huang visited Ashburn’s famed Data Center Alley, where she saw firsthand the mounting tension as locals brace for a showdown over electricity and space. Could Taiwan be next to face these challenges? 09:03 - Who is the key person behind Ashburn's data center boom? 10:20 - Why are locals concerned about the development

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34:58

【Taiwanology Ep.35】Google's Plan for Upskilling...

Taiwanology ·

2024/09/24

Cybersecurity is emerging as a crucial topic. For Taiwan, the island nation finds itself in a unique position, both as a global tech leader and a target in the changing geopolitical landscape. According to a 2021 estimation, Taiwan undergoes 20 to 40 million cyberattacks a month. What can Taiwan do to strengthen its cybersecurity awareness and skills? We hear from Heather Adkins, Google VP of Security Engineering and a founding member of Google's security team. 9:40 - Can anything be done about

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35:57

【Taiwanology Ep.34】How Garmin Dominates the GPS World...

Taiwanology ·

2024/09/10

98% of marathon runners use Garmin devices to track their progress. Either you drive a Ford, Toyota or BMW, chances are your car uses Garmin's GPS system. Garmin's wearable devices are also loved by pilots, divers and triathletes. How did this company co-founded by a Taiwanese engineer come to dominate the business of navigation? 05:10 - What was Garmin's founding story? 09:15 - How did Garmin find a niche market in navigation? 14:20 - Why Garmin dominates the car navigation market? 20:00 - How

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53 results

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