Japan: “military exercises” “increase tensions” “dialogue” Philippines: “coercion” “intimidation” “distorted rule of international law” “fragile geopolitical environment” The Philippine text names the pathology, not just the symptom.

A good example of how "lefties" are totally down for imperialism and war, if the PRC is doing it. The US isn't trying to pry Taiwan from China, because China doesn't own it. Rather, the Taiwanese don't want to be annexed to the PRC, and nations around them are supporting them.

My column for today on the illiberal ASPI piece on the possibility of erosion of liberal democracy by the Lai administration. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

My column today on Okinawa and Taiwan www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

The fall of civil society in #HongKong is chilling. SD's earlier study on how NGOs, unions, media, and religious groups were shut down in 2021 reveals the earlier steps, with the recent closure of its main opposition continuing the fall of free HK. safeguarddefenders.com/en/blog/ccp-...

I review Nathan Batto and Emily Beaulieu's book about brawling in legislatures in #Taiwan, #Ukraine and beyond! laorencha.substack.com/p/book-revie...

Frozen Garlic explains how Taiwan has entered a constitutional crisis frozengarlic.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/c...

The guilty verdict against Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has been strongly condemned by rights groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

My column for today. The Rednote ban in Taiwan boils down to one simple fact: it has no offices in Taiwan, and cannot be regulated under local law. That imposes an either/or choice on the authorities. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

A new museum/library in Taichung with innovative architecture

#HongKong: With short notice, 2 years after his sham trial began, the verdict in Jimmy Lai’s trial is set for Monday, 15/12. Given his age, prison conditions, and deteriorating health, every day he stays in jail risks his life. It’s time for democracies, especially 🇬🇧 and 🇺🇸, to act for his release.

The sexual harassment of @carmenlau.bsky.social, Ted Hui and his family marks a sordid new low in the #HongKong government’s campaign of #transnationalrepression against activists. We stand with them and call for protection against this despicable behaviour. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

The World #Indigenous Traditional Games kicks off in #Taiwan today! The mascot is inspired by the Formosan wild boar, a symbol of strength, endurance, and bravery. Tribal markings represent cultural identity and exchanges. The design reflects the perseverance and vitality of Indigenous communities.

Human Rights Day protest against the CCP in Sydney. Participants included Chinese, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers and other groups

Zhang Yadi's plight illustrates the risk of going home for Chinese nationals who displease the state, as it increasingly tightens control over issues it considers sensitive -- such as that of Tibet. In full: buff.ly/EfBmfWe

Australians do not fully understand what’s at stake if Taiwan’s democracy is threatened by China. 👉 Read the full story: theconversation.com/what-is...

Excellent video explaining and dispelling the common myths about Taiwan perpetuated by western media. Hint: Ranked 4th in the world with regard to safety, it definitely is not ‘the most dangerous place on earth.’ Great thanks to @honghongtinn.bsky.social for sharing channel

I wrote on the PRC campaign of words against Japan/Takaichi this week. It's infuriating that after so many years of PRC fauxspeak the int'l media still reaches for the "victims provoke" trope, like complaining that Benes provoked Hitler. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

"Kerry Brown's 'Why Taiwan Matters' Simply Argues That Taiwan Does Not Matter in the Face of China" by @brianhioe.bsky.social

"'Girl' and 'Left-handed Girl': Two Tales of Mothers, Daughters, and Trauma" by Sebastien Smith

Taiwan and Finland bands prepare for ‘heavy metal diplomacy’ 🇫🇮 🤜🏼🤛🏽 🇹🇼 focustaiwan.tw/culture/2025...

Also in #Europe — the current vice president of #Taiwan, Bi-khim Hsiao, who delivered the 1st-ever speech by a senior member of the Taiwanese government in the European Parliament. "We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...

Australia’s Understanding and Preparedness for a Taiwan Strait Contingency. From me, for Australian Outlook. www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...

New ASPI report on Australian institutional responses to a Taiwan Strait crisis. Authors include @mhar4.bsky.social and @nathanattrill.bsky.social www.aspi.org.au/report/austr...

Official statement by the foreign ministry of #Taiwan to TIME magazine: "China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare."

A few remarks: 1. I can't get pass the lack of logic of the 1st paragraph, which rightly describes China as a threat for Taiwan (and as being "the most dangerous party") but blames Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for officially aknowledging that threat. Yes, Taiwan's political system is under threat.

150,000 join Taiwan Pride as organizers urge understanding Organizers and participants expressed hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Zero-based Mobilization: A Rapid Assessment of the Recent Hualien Flood Disaster and the Modernization of Taiwan’s Mobilization Systems blog.schee.info/2025/10/12/z...

My column this week on migrant labor, the US move against Giant, etc www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

Congratulations to @audreyt.org for being one of the recipients of the 2025 Right Livelihood Awards rightlivelihood.org/the-change-m...

Civicus Monitor – China: Regime continues to criminalise activists, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against protesters monitor.civicus.org/explore/chin...

US Customs has issued a ban on the import of products from Giant Bicycles Taiwan factory citing the use of forced labour. Giant also manufacturers bicycles for other brands including the major US cycling brand Trek www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...

The landslide overflowed due to rain from Typhoon Ragasa causing flooding in Guangxi Township, Hualien www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...

Why #Taichung folks were trying to recall #KMT legislator Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒): the 47-year-old son of a prominent #gangster was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months for crimes including embezzlement, falsifying transaction records, and occupying state-owned land. He purchased a Maserati w/ those funds.

Statement by @amnestyuk.bsky.social supporting Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, Thailand’s first conscientious objector www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne... cc @marcusrediker.bsky.social

An excellent feature on the wansei, Taiwan-born Japanese who were expelled after World War 2. Although the word "repatriation" is used, for some wansei the outbound trip from Keelung was the first time they had left home. Not all were able to integrate into post-war Japan.

Michelle King on two accessible new books on Taiwan that, fittingly, treat its history as of great interest for its own sake lareviewofbooks.org/article/one-... ...read the essay along w/this lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-de... & this lareviewofbooks.org/article/move... work well as a Taiwan trilogy

#HongKong: 72 rights groups urge the UK Prime Minister to secure the release of imprisoned writer & publisher Jimmy Lai, as his health deteriorates. #FreeJimmyLai Read more ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

Please read the full statement on our website: taiwanfcc.org/20250819-gaz...

Important piece on the abuse of migrant fishers in Taiwan by @michaelturton.bsky.social, who argues that the government has the power to do something about it—if they wanted to.

As someone who does occasional travel writing and acts as an unofficial tour guide to friends and family visiting #Taiwan, I have some thoughts. laorencha.substack.com/p/is-interna...

Brookings just published my analysis of Taiwan politics after the first wave of recalls. The main point: the recalls have resolved some remaining political uncertainty, & all 3 political parties have some incentives to tack towards the middle. www.brookings.edu/articles/tai...

China Dissent Monitor, a project of @freedomhouse.bsky.social, has documented over 10,000 protest actions covering every region of China over the past three years freedomhouse.org/article/prot...

It’s been eight long years since human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was taken away by China govt officials. He hasn’t been seen since. Hard to take Xi Jinping’s claims of adherence to rule of law—or decency—seriously. www.nchrd.org/2025/08/chin...

Hm, the second episode of Zero Day was significantly better than the first. Which I guess is what happens with anthology works. The focus is a sympathetic, humanistic character study of a young man who ends up becoming part of a pro-China gang group

China’s most expensive state-building infrastructure project is rising in Tibet: the Lower Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower dam. @stellahongzhang.bsky.social explores how this dam—framed as green progress—advances with little public scrutiny despite huge environmental, technical, and geopolitical stakes.

In comparison to Ukraine, Taiwan’s civil society is not ready for war "...one glaring lesson remains unheeded in Taipei: civil society must be battle-ready before any conflict begins." thediplomat.com/2025/08/taiw...

Construction on Tibetan Megadam Fuels Ecological and Social Concerns "Reports show that the construction of almost 200 dams in Tibet is causing 'irreparable damage' to Tibetan communities, downstream countries, and the environment."

The drama of the country’s divided government just played out in a failed, high-stakes vote to recall two-dozen opposition legislators. How both sides respond could determine the fate of Taiwan’s democracy. www.journalofdemocra...

The first solo exhibition by Australian artist @badiucao.bsky.social in his home country will open next month www.badiucao.com/disagree-whe...