20 year journalist veteran Jason Pan of the Taipei Times joins host Courtney Donovan Smith to discuss the impact and import of the visit of the Czech delegation, recent improvements in US relations including the announcement of trade talks and the declassification of key documents, the KMT and racto-politics and finally the KMT party platform and the party congress.

CAT Kaohsiung election special ft. Michael Smith On this week's program ICRT Southern Taiwan Correspondent Michael Smith joins host (and ICRT's Central Taiwan Correspondent) Donovan Smith to discuss the upcoming Kaohsiung mayoral race, the candidates, their positioning and marketing, the Kaohsiung voter's response and the possible repercussions for the KMT--all with the most knowledgeable English language commentator on southern Taiwan!

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Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and guest Sean Su (蘇襄) discuss the life and legacy of the late Taiwan President Lee Teng-Hui.

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Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) and guest Sean Su (蘇襄) discuss the total blowout regarding Kaohsiung Mayor's Han Kuo-Yu's recall vote, what the scene was like on the ground, how this might be a victory of youth activism against populism and demogoguery, Han and Chiang press conferences, Han's future going forward, what this means for the KMT, who the DPP might choose as interim mayor, and possible DPP and KMT candidates for mayor after that.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss updates on Kaohsiung Mayor's Han Kuo-Yu's recall vote, President Tsai's second inauguration, a look at 2022 and 2024 elections, TSMC's new US factory plans, KMT as an opposition party, and some punchable punching paunchy punch-offs.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss national unification goals with unexpected supporters of a related bill, Taiwan withdraws from trying for a spot at the World Health Assembly, Han telling his followers not to go to the recall poll, DPP attempting to get irrigation, farmers and fishers cooperatism under control, a quick pass at the first anniversary of equal marriage in Taiwan, the cabinet resignation and turnover and some names of who might take which positions.

We apologize for some background noise this week as we are still doing remote recordings.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss some a new race involving giant Matsu statues in Penghu and Taichung and the United Front efforts in Taiwan, the Han Kuo-yu recall updates. Comments on the Milk Tea Alliance and Taiwan's increasing warm power. Finally, talk about how Taiwan has become a more interesting and higher profile nation in the past few months.

All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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Report.tw

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss some new polling showing Hou You-yi is a powerhouse, Han Kuo-yu may be headed to the outhouse, and Johnny Chiang has a house to fix, and it won't be easy. The KMT's prospects in 2022 currently look dire. Is President Tsai "pro-independence?" The Philippines has two different lines on whether they want a Filipina deported from Taiwan for attacking Duterte on Facebook. All our podcasts from now on are at https://anchor.fm/taiwanreport

Find the Current Affairs Podcast on https://anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website 

Report.tw

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu's upcoming recall vote, and explain why and how his joining the KMT's central standing committee is problematic--and why New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-yi was smart to avoid it, and what that might mean for the future of the KMT. The PRC is demanding naturalized Taiwan nationals in Taiwan to comply with their census, and why that is a threat to national security. An armada of illegal sand dredgers from China are shooed off by Taiwan, but it is a sign of growing threat. Taiwanese sports are making it big overseas, and much more! 

All our podcasts from now on are at 

anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw

Current Affairs Taiwan 台灣時事 #40 (04-13-2020) Soft Power and the Propaganda Wars

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including China pressuring Taiwan militarily and via a massive propaganda push, updates on the Han Recall and his new lawsuit to try to stop it, the complexities of changing national airline names for Taiwan, a discussion on international media coverage of Taiwan, plans for subsidizing universities now that China is cutting some of their supply of students, the KMT chair Johnny Chiang making some right moves, EU parliament and overseas reaction to Taiwan's soft-power reputation.

Note: For clarification, Wisconsin's State Council rejected China's request to pass a bill that would praise China and instead passed a resolution that blasted China. However, this action by China is part of a new aggressive push in a propaganda war.

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Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) take on the week's news, including the back-and-forth between a KMT lawmaker and Premier Su after the lawmaker said "Taiwan is not a country" as well as proposals on changing the name of China Airlines and what to put in English on the passports. The government has launched a massive, NT$1.05 trillion stimulus package. The BBC continues its rich tradition of inadequate Taiwan coverage, and much more!

All our podcasts from now on are at anchor.fm/taiwanreport

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May Jam in Tainan sponsored this show, for more information visit https://www.mayjam.com/en/