The Second Ma-Xi Meeting: Paving the Way for Beijing to Focus on the Economy
The wining and dining of Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou was a chance for Beijing to flex its diplomatic muscles and relieve some cross-strait tension. At the end of the day, Xi Jinping knows he has a more pressing task: the rejuvenation of China's flagging economy.
Ma-Xi Meeting 9 Years Later: Xi's Final Goodwill?
In their second meeting, China President Xi Jinping and former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou not only emphasized the "1992 Consensus", but also stressed the identity of the "Chinese nation". Beijing expressed goodwill by reiterating its bottom line to the Lai Ching-te government before inauguration: cross-strait affairs are not to be interfered with by external forces.
Why China's Taiwan Policy has yielded limited results
Ever since the Sunflower Movement, Beijing has made winning favor from Taiwanese youths whose identities are in flux a priority, attempting to attract them across the strait for “integration and development.” However, a decade of observation shows only limited effectiveness of this approach.
How can China maintain 5% GDP growth with 'new productive forces'?
Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced in his report at the National People's Congress that the goal set for China's GDP growth in 2024 will be an ambitious 5%. In the face of China's homegrown housing crisis and its tensions with the U.S., how will China achieve its target?
Following Kinmen patrol fatalities, will China keep challenging the Taiwan Strait median line?
The Chinese Marine Police's vow to 'normalize enforcement' follows a recent incident of a Chinese fishing boat trespassing into Taiwan's territorial waters. Despite escalating tensions, the Taiwan Affairs Office has convened in Taiwan for the first time since the epidemic, indicating significant engagement. Nevertheless, signs point to China downplaying the incident's significance. Why the lack of urgency?
China's annual Two Sessions: How will they impact Taiwan?
The annual gathering known as the "Two Sessions" in China is set to convene in early March. Besides outlining the year's economic growth targets, will there be policies to stimulate the stock market? With Taiwan's elections concluded, will Beijing signal new directions in its Taiwan policy?
Can economic sanctions deter China's military actions against Taiwan?
Economic sanctions are one of the means of mitigating international conflicts without the need for violence, but they have had limited effect in the Ukraine-Russia war. Unlike the past experience, China and Russia are less afraid of economic sanctions, why? We asked Cornell University’s Nicholas Mulder.
Is Foxconn the canary in the coal mine?
Working closely with local party organizations has laid the foundation for Foxconn's growth. But when China's largest private employer is also being suppressed, how should this signal be interpreted? What's next for other Taiwanese companies?
What can we learn from Taiwan's first civilian-led war game?
The results are in from Taiwan's first war game initiated by retired high-ranking military officers. What does it tell us about Taiwan's readiness for war?
What Message Is China Sending with Foxconn's Audit?
China has launched a large-scale tax audit of Foxconn’s operations around the country. What message is it sending to independent presidential candidate and Foxconn founder Terry Gou, and could the situation escalate?
Having lost Hong Kong, Chinese reunite in Tokyo
The Chinese lost the space for thinking in Hong Kong, but found a new world in Tokyo. Why does this happen in Japan rather than in the United States?
Cross-strait status quo a “ticking time-bomb” - former Singaporean Foreign Secretary
Former Singaporean Foreign Secretary George Yong-Boon Yeo proposed a Chinese Commonwealth at the Asia-Pacific Forward Forum. It allows regular interactions between the PRC and Taiwan but faces doubts and obstacles due to controversial history and differing perspectives.
Autocracy a major blow to Chinese technology: Yasheng Huang
Chinese economy expert Yasheng Huang has developed a database tracking the history of scientific development in China. In this interview with CommonWealth, Huang explains what this research can tell us about the future of Chinese technology.
“Xiplomacy” in the Shadows
Chinese diplomacy has suffered many setbacks out in the open and around the negotiating table in recent months. But it could be flourishing in the margins, where a complex array of offices and institutions are working to push party-state agendas in ways that often go unseen.
Besides Qin Gang, another Xi confidante has also been missing
Before Qin Gang, the PRC Foreign Minister, was replaced on July 25th, he had been missing for a month. Why did this close ally of Xi Jinping suddenly go missing, and how could disappearances like this impact Beijing’s foreign policy?
China's "Japanization": Is 30 years of decline to come?
China's economic performance in the first half of the year fell far short of expectations, not only failing to achieve post-pandemic recovery but also not reaching its worst moment yet. This highlights long-standing concerns from the outside world: Is China replicating Japan's 30 years of decline?
Ma Ying-jeou’s China visit opened a Pandora’s Box
Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s visit to China triggered massive domestic debate in Taiwan, prompting supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) to harden their stances toward China. The stalemate between the governments on both sides of the Taiwan Straits as well as between the green and blue camps in Taiwan is hard to break given Taiwan’s political reality.
Richard Bush: US and Taiwan must work together to deter China
Richard Bush: former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, on the difficult choices facing Taiwan
Taiwan Defense Minister: China won't take Taiwan in a fortnight
As the war on Ukraine approaches its first anniversary, "Can Taiwan defend itself? "Will there be a war?" have become the questions that Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng must answer. In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine, he analyses Taiwan's national defense strategy.
John Mearsheimer: US and Taiwan bound to move closer together
The 75-year-old John Mearsheimer, an American political scientist known for his neorealist views, seems to have a change of mind about Taiwan. In an interview with CommonWealth’s Silva Shih, he stressed the increasing strategic importance of Taiwan.
Is the white paper movement a Tiananmen rerun? Minxin Pei weighs in
The largest resistance movement in China since 1989, the white paper movement, broke out recently. Professor Minxin Pei is a political scientist whose research focuses on authoritarian systems. What cracks does he see developing in China’s stability-maintenance machine, and what gaps are opening up in Xi Jinping’s governance?
“Stronger than ever”: Robert Parker on the US-Taiwan relationship
Robert Parker, former president of AmCham Taiwan, on his role in the creation of the Taiwan Relations Act, and why he feels the US-Taiwan relationship is “stronger than ever.”
What does Xi’s new army mean for China’s future?
As the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party wrapped up, the revelation of the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee ushered in a new era of “Xi’s Army”. Economic moderates like Li Keqiang stepped aside as the “aerospace faction” rose. What does this indicate for the future direction of China’s economy?
Xi Jinping’s 5 priorities in party congress report
On the opening day of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping delivered a two-hour report laying out five major priorities that he said needed to be handled successfully for China to thrive. Here’s a breakdown.
The silenced Taiwanese businesses in China
As the rivalry between China and the United States intensifies, Taiwanese business people in China face a dilemma: Should they stay or go? As no one can say “no” to a market of 1.4 billion, they observe a simple adage: Silence is golden.
China's new red entrepreneurs
Following the abolition of presidential term limits, Chinese President Xi Jingping is set for a third term in office. As Xi advances a “new type whole nation system” agenda, can entrepreneurs, young startups, Taiwanese businesses, and investors break through Western containment efforts and step across The Pitfalls of Big Powers?
Six things to watch at China’s 20th party congress
The 20th National Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party will have a profound impact on China’s future. CommonWealth looks at factors that might hint at the strength of Xi Jinping’s hold on power and who might one day succeed him.
Video report: Taiwan's most wanted talents
The growing menace of China’s military aircraft is putting pressure on Taiwan’s Air Force, highlighting potential weaknesses related to the Air Force’s fleet, pilots, and reserve force. What does it take to train a qualified fighter jet pilot?
Video report: Is Taiwan’s Air Force ready to meet China’s threat?
The growing menace of China’s military aircraft is putting pressure on Taiwan’s Air Force, highlighting potential weaknesses related to the Air Force’s fleet, pilots, and reserve force. Is Taiwan ready to deal with these issues?
Should military conscription be extended? Defense think tank responds
Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) is a defense-related think tank established by President Tsai Ing-wen. In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth, INDSR research fellow and director Ming-shih Shen, who comes from an army background, broke down the recent Chinese People’s Liberation Army exercises and shed light on Taiwan’s defense strategies going forward.
Taiwan needs porcupine quills to deter China
Taiwan became the frontline in the most recent maneuvers by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). What message did Chinese President Xi Jinping want to deliver with the PLA’s first display of combat capability in the wake of military restructuring ? And how can Taiwan defend itself?
Why former UMC chairman has given up on China
Robert Tsao, former chairman of chip foundry UMC, has gone from having pro-China leanings to becoming an ardent critic of Beijing. In this interview with CommonWealth, he explains how and why his thinking has evolved.
Maps: China’s 72-hour ‘Taiwan blockade’
After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concluded her controversial Taiwan visit, China began days of intense military drills. How did the PLA create a “Taiwan blockade” simulation?
Military expert: Taiwan’s only defense lies in strength
The world is wondering if a fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis will be the fallout from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to Taiwan. Military expert Michael JF Chang, who drew up 18 possible contingency plans for the government during the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996, explains that, while China's military might has advanced by leaps and bounds, Taiwan still has every opportunity to defend itself.
Pelosi’s Taiwan visit was a US-made crisis
Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was said to be the fourth Taiwan Strait crisis since 1949, and it was ironically triggered by the United States. What is really alarming is that it may not be the last.
Expats mull exodus from China as zero-COVID policies persist
Germany has the largest presence among European countries in China. Maximilian Butek, the executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said in an exclusive interview with CommonWealth that unpredictability has become the greatest challenge for foreign businesses in China.
China under lockdown: The global supply chain crisis
Eighty-seven of China’s 100 major cities are under some form of lockdown. Shanghai has been under a strict lockdown for over a month. With logistics stymied and supply chains in every sector affected, how will Taiwan pull through? As China pursues its zero-COVID policy, how will the global economy regain its footing?
What price has Shanghai paid for China’s zero-COVID policy?
China’s manufacturing hubs – Shanghai, Kunshan and Zhengzhou – are under lockdown. The country’s GDP is expected to grow by less than 4 percent this year, the second-worst performance in 32 years, and is bound to drag down the world economy. How much more will be sacrificed for the sake of zero-COVID?
Why are Chinese companies in Taiwan being raided?
In March, 11 Chinese companies in Taiwan were raided by the Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Justice, including the AI chip company founded by the former Chairman of Spreadtrum. The raids are the harbinger of a new law.
Should Taiwan put its future in U.S. hands?
CommonWealth magazine’s “State of the Union and U.S.-China Ties Survey” has found that more than half of Taiwan’s people believe the United States would help Taiwan militarily in the event of an attack by China. But is that realistic, and should Taiwan tie its future to the U.S.?
China punished Taiwan’s Far Eastern Group, who will be next?
Why is Beijing going after Far Eastern Group Chairman Douglas Hsu, even though he is known to sympathize with Taiwan’s China-friendly blue camp? As cross-strait ties continue to deteriorate, Beijing would seem to care less about Taiwanese entrepreneurs’ allegiance to certain political parties than their support for “Taiwan independence”. With a growing number of Taiwanese businesses making it onto Beijing’s black list, speculation is rife whether the time of reckoning has come.
Assessing China’s nuclear expansion
The Pentagon expects China to expand its current nuclear arsenal of 350 warheads to over 1,000 by 2030. What are the core motives behind China's nuclear expansion and its impact?
What does the Biden-Xi meeting portend for Taiwan?
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has kept a low profile in the past two years, has finally met with U.S. President Joe Biden during an online virtual summit. Taiwan, which was not invited to the talk, was still present as the elephant in the room. Why does any dialogue between China and the U.S. ultimately come back to Taiwan?
Why the Chinese military has increased activity near Taiwan
Chinese military aircraft are flying southwest of Taiwan toward the Bashi Channel. Beneath these large-scale missions in the air lurk China’s underwater ambitions.
Is China really poised to attack Taiwan?
China has stepped up its military maneuvers in waters near Taiwan, including the biggest incursion into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in 40 years. Their main goal, however, may not be to threaten Taiwan. What exactly is the PLA up to?
The story behind China’s power shortage ‘There’s still power, just don’t use it’
China has been rationing electricity in several provinces. The scope of the current power rationing forebodes a trend: China might have to live with power shortages in the coming five years.
The Evergrande crisis and China’s changing economy
In 2016, Chinese finance expert Ning Zhu (朱寧) predicted that highly leveraged companies such as the Evergrande Group faced major risks. Now that Evergrande is on the verge of collapse, what will China do? CommonWealth Magazine asked Zhu to find out.
Hong Kong teenagers looking to Taiwan for schooling
Taiwan is planning to open up its high schools to students from Hong Kong and Macao from next autumn, hoping to tap young talent while providing a safe haven from increasing political oppression. But there are also concerns that this could create national security risk. How can Taiwan balance these conflicting interests?
New directions in cross-strait relations: Richard Bush
How long can Taiwan afford not to make difficult choices for its future? It is one of the tough questions asked by long-time Taiwan observer and former AIT Chairman Richard C. Bush in his new book. He argues that Taiwan urgently needs to build a consensus and a strategy if it wishes to survive and preserve the good life that it enjoys.
Taiwan businesses: Exiting China not an option amid struggle for survival
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new dawn for Chinese manufacturing, with Chinese firms squeezing out Taiwanese competitors from the Apple supply chain. Caught in the middle of the China-U.S. trade war, Taiwanese businesses need to transform to stay in the game, whether they stay in China or leave.
CCP at 100: All powerful but alone
As the Chinese Communist Party celebrates its 100th anniversary, China has never been more confident or more isolated on the world stage. How will the unprecedented pressure it is facing from the West affect U.S.-China relations, and is conflict inevitable?
Is Taiwanese society ready to face a belligerent China?
China's willingness to safeguard "national interests" and fulfill the "historical mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" is increasing day by day. Is Taiwanese society ready to face a belligerent China?
Taiwan Strait: Time for a ‘Cold Peace’ or a ‘Hot War’?
Unprecedented breakthroughs in U.S.-Taiwan relations have stoked fears that Taiwan’s ties with China could go from a “cold peace” to a “hot war.” What are the forces that are pushing the two sides in either direction and can Beijing still appeal to Taiwanese youth and businesspeople?
Is the Virus Making China Stronger or Weaker?
China will likely be the first superpower to emerge “victorious” from the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are people going back to work, there is even a chance that the Chinese will develop a vaccine. China’s global prestige is once again on the rise. However, though the word “employment” was mentioned 39 times during the ”two sessions” held in May, there is in fact little confidence in “positive growth”. Things are not looking good in terms of export, consumption, or investment. China and the United States seem poised to enter a new cold war. What’s in store for China after the virus?
Are Chinese and US Maneuvers in the Asia-Pacific a Precursor to War?
In spite of the global pandemic, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted various naval exercises in the past three months. Meanwhile, Beijing’s rhetoric towards Taiwan has become more belligerent. U.S. armed forces deployed in the Asia-Pacific region have since countered with a demonstration of force in waters bordering China’s territorial sea. Just what is the PLA’s game? Is it the precursor to a military invasion of Taiwan? Or is China taking advantage of the United States’ internal chaos to expand their foothold? Has the U.S. military might in the Asia-Pacific region been undermined?
Apple Supply Chain Disrupted by Novel Coronavirus, Expediting the Flight of Foreign Investment from China
“The US-China trade war has fired the first shot; the coronavirus fired the second.” The novel coronavirus is testing the adaptability of Taiwanese electronics manufacturers with production facilities in China. This is no longer a short-term question of when the assembly lines can get back to work, but rather a mid- to long-term one of how production capacities should be reorganized in the region.
Coronavirus Outbreak is a Disaster of China's Nationalism: Academia Sinica Scholar
Shao-Hua Liu (劉紹華) has studied the prevention of infectious diseases in post-1949 China. She believed that so long as China refuses to disclose information and face the full judgment of history, China, the world, and neighboring Taiwan will just have to get used to an unending stream of new epidemics and crises coming from China.
Desperation in Wuhan
A China Eastern Airlines charter flight brought home 247 Taiwanese stranded in the isolated city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, late at night on Feb. 3. They were escaping a nightmare scenario of fighting an out-of-control virus without access to medical resources or information. CommonWealth Magazine takes you behind the scenes to see what they have been up against.
University of Hong Kong Warning: Wuhan Coronavirus Epidemic to Spread Until May
Chair of Infectious Diseases at the University of Hong Kong Yuen Kwok-yung, who played a key role in containing the SARS outbreak in 2003, warned that probably half of all people who contract the novel coronavirus remain asymptomatic, not showing any signs of fever or cough although they suffer from pneumonia.
Will Kinmen, Taiwan’s Frontline, Become the Next Crimea?
Kinmen (Golden Door), the closest island territory of Taiwan to China and once a part of the international anti-communism battlefront, has today become part of China’s “Unification” plan for Taiwan. While ‘One Country, two Systems’ is facing an unprecedented challenge in Hong Kong, the propaganda for Taiwan continues. Meanwhile, a referendum on a ‘One Country, two Systems Experimental Zone’ has been quietly unfolding on Kinmen.
Pro-democracy Camp Wins Landslide Victory in Hong Kong
How will Hong Kong’s District Council election, a local affair on the same level as Taiwan’s village chief elections, shape the destiny of the anti-ELAB movement, the future of Hong Kong’s domestic politics, and even its relations with China?
Taiwanese Returnees from Embattled Hong Kong University: ‘I am Fine, but Hong Kong is anything but’
Taiwanese students in Hong Kong were forced to return to Taiwan. Despite being safe at home, they have lived through a week of unbearable anguish, always worrying: “How can you know what’s happening in Hong Kong while you are asleep?”
What is the Golden Horse Festival Without China?
The opening ceremony of the annual Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival will take place this Saturday. However, rising tension across the Strait has taken its toll.
As Private Bookstores Put Out the Light, Chinese Cities Brace for the Dark
The South China Book Festival held in the Canton Fair Complex concluded at the end of August. Political issues have led to a dearth of new books, and factors such as shrinking demand for brick-and-mortar bookstores have led to fewer participants at the Festival.
Decoding the Deep-Seated Reasons Behind the Awakening of the Hong Kong People
When we look back on history, we can see the deep-seated reasons that led to the full awakening of the Hong Kong people.
Foreshadowing History? Why Hong Kong’s One Country, Two Systems Framework Could Survive in Name Only
What kind of historic arrangement could give the anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong such steely resolve that they would have no regrets even if they took everyone else down with them? Annie Zhang Jie-ping, founder of the blockchain-based, decentralized content platform Matters Lab, will write a regular column for CommonWealth Magazine in which she will comb through history to help readers understand the present by examining the past.
“Why Should We Hide Our Faces?” Hong Kong’s Voices on the Ground
Ketagalan Media spoke to a working professional from Hong Kong who has participated in the demonstrations that began this summer in response to a controversial extradition bill, and which have blossomed into a fully-fledged movement seeking political change. She shares with us her perspective as an educated, middle-class Hongkonger concerned about the city’s fate.
Electronics Contractors Benefit from Not Abandoning Taiwan amid The U.S.-China Trade War
Taiwanese companies manufacturing in China have felt the burden of punitive tariffs the United States has put on Chinese imports, but with more tariffs on the way, CommonWealth has found that some electronics contractors are well-positioned to ride out the storm.
Why Are Hong Kong Startups Setting Up Shop In Taiwan?
As protests against the proposed extradition bill continued to heat up in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s largest startup accelerator, AppWorks, noticed a steep rise in the number of applications from Hong Kong, accounting for nearly one out of every three teams.
From 'Be Water' to 'Liberate Hong Kong' - The Evolution of the Protest Slogans
As more fiery slogans and phrases replace the “Be Water,” “no blood,” and “no divisions” sentiments seen in previous weeks, many people sense that the movement will soon arrive at a critical juncture.
Hong Kong: A City on the Brink
Protests against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong that began on June 9 have evolved over 49 days into something more. Annie Zhang, the founder of social media platform “Matters” and former chief executive editor of Hong Kong-based Initium Media, analyzes why the protests in Hong Kong have changed in focus and where they may be heading.
Hong Kong Violence Reveals True Face of One Country, Two Systems
In this opinion piece, veteran commentator Simon Lau, a former advisor to the Hong Kong government, analyzes the political context behind the scenes from the British colonial era to today’s one country, two systems framework and the political realities the Hong Kong people must now face.
The World’s Most Expensive Places to Own a Home
According to Bloomberg’s number crunchers, a typical family home in central Hong Kong, with around 93m2 floorspace, incurs an average monthly mortgage repayment of nearly $8,000.
China Has 21% of The World's 3.8 Bn Internet User Base While India Holds 12%
Yet with India set to overtake China to become the world's most populous country within a decade, internet usage will almost certainly reflect that shift overtime.
Anson Chan: ‘Electing a Leader Won’t Turn Hong Kong into Beijing’s Enemy’
Anson Chan was known as a strong supporter of civil liberties and the rule of law when she served as Hong Kong’s chief secretary under British and then Chinese rule from 1993 to 2001. So what does she think about the recent protests in Hong Kong and Beijing’s growing influence? CommonWealth Magazine caught up with her to find out.
For Hong Kong, No Turning Back
Angered by an extradition bill that would compromise Hong Kong’s rule of law and bring it further under Beijing’s domination, millions of the former British colony’s residents have stood up in defiance. CommonWealth reporters were on the scene, and saw the determination that has turned Hong Kong into China’s most troublesome frontier and hardened attitudes against Beijing. What does the future hold?
Opinion: ‘Today’s Hong Kong, Tomorrow’s Taiwan? Today’s Korea, Tomorrow’s Japan?’
Massive protests rocked Hong Kong on the heels of the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. What does civil unrest in the former British colony portend for Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, three regions which are also caught between China and the West? What is Hong Kong telling its neighbors about China, and can nations in the same geopolitical situation do anything about it—before it’s too late?
China's Response to the Backlash of the Belt and Road Initiative
Chinese-financed projects have been trimmed, suspended, or put under increased scrutiny in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Malaysia, over an alleged debt trap and unscrupulous dealings.
Can TSMC Continue to Supply Huawei?
The Trump Administration has placed Huawei on a blacklist that blocks companies using American technology from supplying the Chinese telecom giant. Taiwan’s TSMC does not think it will be affected, but is that really the case?
Hong Kong Tycoon Who Won Taipei Twin Towers Tender Supports Unification with China
Controversy surrounding the development of the Taipei Twin Towers, a huge complex of more than 10,000 pings (about 33,000 square meters) near Taipei Main Station, keeps brewing.
The Role of China's State-Owned Companies in the Trade War
China is home to 109 corporations listed on the Fortune Global 500 - but only 15% of those are privately owned.
Beijing Pressed at Brussels to Open EU Market
The 21st EU-China Summit was held in Brussels. If China had hoped to gain European allies in the trade war against the United States, they got a rude awakening. The EU views China as a “systematic rival” and urges Beijing to open its market.
Hong Kong Plans to House 1 Million People on Artificial Islands
To ease the chronic housing crisis, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has pitched a plan to increase the supply of land through the building of artificial islands.
Chinese Tech Investors Are Turning towards MENA
Discussing China’s engagement with MENA is difficult thanks to regional factors such as oil, conflict and strategic trade routes. While there are many opportunities for private sector and technology investment - and the latter has been the most vibrant area thus far - expanding collaboration between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will not be easy.
Xi Jinping is in Europe; Why is Taiwan Worried?
President of China Xi Jinping is making state visits to three European countries this week. Special attention is being paid to discussions concerning the controversial “Belt and Road Initiative” with the Italian government, as well as a possible visit to the Vatican. Taiwan is especially nervous about Xi meeting the Pope in the Holy See.
‘Devotion’ Gaming Controversy: Taiwan’s ‘Soft Power’ Meets China’s ‘Tough Power’
Heated discussion has flared up on Internet forums across Taiwan and Hong Kong in recent days after an online game contained reference to the “Xi Jinping as Winnie the Pooh” meme.
China’s Economy Continues to Slow in 2019
On Tuesday March 5th, the National People's Congress (NPC) gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Besides Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s 2019 government work report, the focal point of everyone’s attention was the drafting of China’s “Foreign Investment Law”, which would rewrite the rules for foreigners doing business in China.
A Chinese Economist Explains What We Get Wrong about the Trade War
China will benefit from the pressure of the trade war, according to Keyu Jin, professor at the London School of Economics.
Anti-Huawei Campaigns, Chance or Crisis?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s moves against Chinese tech titan Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. might create business opportunities for home-grown Chinese brands, which may result in Huawei outshining Apple. Which Taiwanese suppliers stand to benefit if Huawei’s supply chain becomes larger than Apple’s? What are the possible drawbacks of manufacturing for Huawei?
Survival In New Trade War: Broad Exports, No Taking Sides
The United States and China are jabbing and parrying at each other in the start of a “new Cold War” that shows no signs of abating over the short term. Meanwhile, regardless of how future negotiations turn out, competition between the two powers will surely set the tone going forward. Given this environment, how can Asian nations find ways to survive and thrive?
How Does China Deal with Its Own Waste?
China is perfectly placed to innovate digital solutions for waste, especially in its fast-growing food industry.
How the ‘1992 Consensus’ Colors Taiwan’s Fate
The so-called “1992 cross-strait consensus” has once again become a hot topic in the wake of Taiwan’s recent elections. What is it all about, and how will it impact future cross-strait dynamics?
When I Discussed Democracy With Young Chinese
Educational levels vary greatly in China, and there are enormous gaps in the flow of information. Yet young people, who are more likely to absorb information from outside (such as by circumventing China’s censorship and blockage on the Internet), are increasingly likely to reexamine their own definition of "democracy."
Opinion: China is Part of Taiwan, and Taiwan is Part of the World
It goes without saying that politics is art, and art is politics. Render unto politics what is political, and unto art what is artistic, or you will be left with sound and fury signifying nothing—a poor reflection on both art and politics.
Is China About to Launch Its Own Cryptocurrency?
The US' aggressive trade policies could be accelerating China's efforts to digitalize its currency - a move that would likely have far-reaching consequences for the world.
Meet China's Five Biggest AI Companies
China is aiming to become the leading power in the industry of AI. From last year alone, its AI industry had grown 67%. With two thirds of global investment in artificial intelligence goes to China, being one of the biggest AI companies in China is closely equivalent to becoming the top AI company on a global scale. Here are the top five biggest AI companies in China.
Red Blockchain Rolling in Taiwan
Chinese crypto media, capital and social communities are joining hands, moving their speculative frameworks to Taiwan after being purged from China. If they reenact their pump and dump schemes in Taiwan, taking the money and running, investors could lose their shirts, and the future of Taiwan’s blockchain industry could be thrown into jeopardy.
6 Things That Surprised Us About China in August
Emerging first-tier cities, Shifting work preference for Chinese millennials, quantum technology, yellow delivering robots, internet market expansion... Here are six things that surprise us about China in August.
United Front Target Taiwan's Grass Roots: Gangs, Temples, Business
Most people see the pro-unification Unionist Party as a fringe group with little influence on society. But CommonWealth Magazine has found that it has successfully helped Beijing make inroads into Taiwan at the grassroots level. Here’s how.
Inside Taiwan's Sunflower Movement
“Say goodbye to Taiwan,” wrote political scientist John Mearsheimer in a widely read article in the March-April 2014 issue of The National Interest. Threatened by China's rising economic might and abandoned by a weakening United States, one of Asia's most vibrant democracies was facing, in his “realist” analysis, an almost inevitable annexation via economic if not military force. “Time,” he wrote, “is running out for the little island coveted by its gigantic, growing neighbor.” But only days after publication, on March 18, activists and armchair analysts alike said hello to a new reality.
Yesterday’s Red Guard Has Something to Say to Today’s Taiwan
Xu Youyu was one of the first signatories of Charter 08, a manifesto drafted by the late Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo advocating that China institute a modern political structure of democracy, separation of powers, and constitutional government under the universal values of freedom, equality and human rights.
Opinion: BRICS Must Lead Way in New Era of Globalization
Today, although trade protectionism is rising, globalization is still the mainstream of public opinion. At this point, the BRICS countries should promote globalization and encourage more international cooperation.
Does the KMT Still Have a Cross-Strait Role?
Former KMT Chairman Lien Chan no longer has a central role in the party, but he was invited to meet with Xi Jinping rather than the KMT’s incumbent chairman. What happened and does it signal the marginalization of the KMT in cross-strait affairs?
China Is Among the 20 Most Innovative Economies for the First Time
China has had a rapid transformation into an innovation powerhouse. Now it has broken into the top 20 of a global list of the most innovative economies.
Who the US and China Have Trade Disputes With
These two charts show China and the US have more than 300 disputes with different countries and trading blocks. Most of the US's trade disputes are with the E.U. Instead of China.
Baidu's Plan to Break Into the Japanese Market
Baidu, the Chinese tech giant is aiming to enter Japan while eyeing on several overseas market. This autonomous driving bus is one of Baidu's major steps to its international expansion.
How to Build the Biggest Cross-strait Event Platform
In the startup scene, advice is typically given to avoid creating a platform because conditions are harsh and survival prospects slim. But John Sie, a former Hon Hai/Foxconn Technology Group employee, along with a fellow student founded software-as-a-service platform Accupass. Their startup not only managed to survive lethal competition in China where Internet startups go bust in droves, but Acupass even evolved into the biggest cross-strait event-hosting platform. How did Sie achieve this formidable feat?
Will China Grow Old Before It Gets Rich?
Could India soon be the biggest driver of global growth instead of China?
Chief Surgeon: Those Who are Supposed to Come are Already Here
China drew widespread attention and debate with its February announcement of 31 incentives to attract Taiwanese talent from various sectors, including the audiovisual, education and medical industries. Given that China’s medical profession has been open to Taiwanese physicians for many years, are these additional “economic benefits” likely to make medical personnel leave Taiwan in droves?
‘Why Are We Cultivating Talent for China, Not Taiwan?’
“In China, rather than seeking truth, academia serves the party and the state,” says one Taiwanese academician with experience across the strait. Realizing that he was not a good fit, he returned to Taiwan after just one semester of teaching, yet since returning to Taiwan, he has still been unable to find a suitable position.
Beijing’s New Battlefront: Enticing Taiwan with Culture
Beijing has announced incentives to lure Taiwanese in the entertainment industry to China, but is Taiwan in a position to take advantage of them without completely hollowing out an already declining film and television production sector?
3 Things You Need to Know about the US-China Trade Dispute
Could a row over steel turn into a full-blown trade war?
China is Now the Second-largest Art Market in the World
China overtook the United Kingdom in 2017 as the second biggest art market after the United States.
Here’s How China Cut Fertilizer Use While Still Increasing Their Crop Yields
Millions of Chinese farmers are reaping the benefits of a massive agricultural study, which has helped them increase their crop yields whilst reducing the use of fertilizer.
The Challenges of Chinese Investment in Latin America
As São Paulo hosts the World Economic Forum on Latin America 2018, it is time to consider China’s important influence on economies and business in the region since the Forum's last meeting in Brazil, in 2011.
WeChat Now Has Over 1 Billion Monthly Users
With WeChat's services and users expanding in an unprecedented scale, it is expected to become much more than a social media app.
5 Things You Need to Know About China's Booming E-commerce Market
China’s e-commerce and mobile economy are booming, yet it is certainly not easy to enter or compete in the market. Here are the five key current trends to understand and learn from China’s e-commerce explosion.
Taiwan Shouldn’t Feel Inadequate Compared to China
If we look at China honestly, we can understand why it is backward; its glitziness should not trigger any feelings of inadequacy. Everyone has their own difficulties, and their own strengths and advantages. That is just the way it is.
The DPP’s True Rival: Xi Jinping
CommonWealth Magazine’s latest State of the Nation Survey has revealed a slide in the younger generation’s identification with Taiwan. While it may be just a temporary blip, it also suggests that the biggest rival to the DPP’s power in Taiwan is Beijing.
Taking on China’s Goliaths
Taiwan’s surveillance industry companies have been battered by Chinese competition, but they are hoping to turn the tables by developing artificial intelligence systems that learn as they go and create value. Can they successfully fend off China’s threat?
How the Economy is Turning Around
Seventy percent of Taiwanese CEOs are upbeat about the 2018 global economic outlook. Almost 80 percent of CEOs are planning to grant pay raises, and their intention to invest at home and abroad is also getting stronger.
‘I Can’t Start A School, But I Can Open A Bookstore’
Lam Wing-kee, former owner of Hong Kong’s well-known bookstore of forbidden politically-related publications, is looking to reopen his bookshop in a trendy district frequented by the younger generation in Taiwan.
Chinese Shoppers Will Add a New Germany to the Global Economy
Chinese consumers are increasingly young, wealthy and eager to spend. They are an essential part of the global growth engine.
A Chinese Culinary Creator – André Chiang's New Position
"Many Taiwanese restaurants have been expanding their business to Mainland China or other countries. This does not mean they are betraying Taiwan," said Sandra Lee, Vice President of Marketing of Hasmore Ltd. Restaurant Group.
Startling Statistics from Singles' Day
These statistics show the amount spent this year for Alibaba's annual Singles' Day.
China's Mobile Economy, Explained
Despite the stagnation of the global market, China's mobile economy is growing rapidly and this booming is changing the country's industrial landscape. Why?
A Harbinger of China’s Future
Foshan in the Pearl River Delta has established itself as a testing ground for Xi Jinping’s economic policies as it moves up the value chain. How has it transformed its economic structure to emerge as a home to a cluster of hidden champions?
Can Xi’s ‘National Treatment’ Strategy Work?
A continued stalemate appears to be on the horizon for official cross-strait relations following the 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress. Yet it is worth watching to see how far such substantive measures as “national treatment” aimed at facilitating cross-strait “fusion development” rolled out by PRC President Xi Jinping could go towards winning over a generation of Taiwanese naturally favoring independence.
China’s $900 Billion New Silk Road, Explained
East to west ... who stands to gain from China's controversial trade route?
What Two Speeches Tell Us about the Future of China and the US
The past week has been a significant one for speeches. These two landmark addresses by President Xi Jinping and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were a study in contrast.
Can Alipay Conquer Asia?
In Southeast Asia, the deafening sound of road construction work reflects the fierce competition among China, Japan and South Korea for lucrative infrastructure projects. But in stores and shopping malls, the sound of Alipay transactions indicates China’s even-greater ambition to establish its home-grown mobile financial services abroad.
OPPO Challenges Samsung’s Dominance in Thailand
Chinese smartphone brand OPPO is now the second-largest brand in the ASEAN region, having surpassed Apple and trailing only Samsung.
Confessions of a 'Hong Kong drifter'
Young educated people from China flock to Hong Kong to study, work, start a family and possibly launch a career or make a fortune in this freewheeling capitalist society. The fittest of these new immigrants, those who survive and stay, have become “new Hongkongers”.
I Have No Enemies: My Final Statement
Before sentenced for "inciting subversion of state power" by the Chinese government, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, wrote down the piece "I Have No Enemies: My Final Statement" as a final defense for his action."I look forward to [the day] when my country is a land with freedom of expression," he wrote. He also expressed his anticipation, "I hope that I will be the last victim of China's endless literary inquisitions and that from now on no one will be incriminated because of speech."
Hong Kong’s Future and Challenges
Twenty years after its handover to China from British rule, Hong Kong’s sense of identity remains in flux. Jasper Tsang and Martin Lee, two seasoned politicians from opposing camps, discuss what’s next for the territory.
‘One Country, Two Systems’ No More
Twenty years after Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China, Hong Kongers are anxious over Beijing’s plans to completely integrate it with the Pearl River Delta. How will Xi Jinping deal with this challenge to his “China Dream”?
Chinese Capital Gains Clout in Hong Kong
After the former British colony of Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, it became China’s accounting house. How has China taken advantage of Hong Kong in the twenty years since the historic handover, and what does the future hold?
An Opportunity to Turn Taiwan into the Cannes of Asia
Taiwan’s five golden Awards have the potential to establish Taiwan as the arbiter of huaren creative arts, not only bringing economic advantage but also bolstering Taiwan’s national identity.
Taiwanese Startups Flock to Pearl River Delta
The Pearl River Delta, which outshines other areas in terms of startup support, is luring young Taiwanese entrepreneurs with attractive incentives.
The Survivors are Kings
In the Pearl River Delta, the city of Dongguan is known as the “capital” of Taiwanese-invested businesses. A decade ago, Dongguan experienced an exodus of Taiwanese companies that were no longer competitive due to rising labor costs. But those who are still active in Dongguan today are well established in their niches and there to stay.
A Colossal Metropolis Takes Shape
The Pearl River Delta is merging 11 big cities to create an economic juggernaut that promises to turn the region’s copycat past into a Silicon Valley future. CommonWealth looked into how this colossus is taking shape and what it portends.
China Dreaming Big on Movies
From buying Hollywood talent and acquiring movie theater chains around the world to protecting its home market, China is intent on becoming a powerhouse in the global film and video industry and setting the agenda on video content.
Raking in NT$1.3B with Online Talkshow
Even with open curricula and Internet-based direct broadcasts available in China, a paid subscription knowledge platform has attracted 1.5 million users and garnered NT$1.3 billion in annual revenue. How has it done it?
The Next Internet Craze
Live streaming has not provided the payout many anticipated, but a new model has emerged in China that could fill in the gap – paid subscription knowledge sharing platforms. How have they been able to rise to prominence?
Exploiting the Desire for a Better Life
China’s startup scene is no longer just about the Internet but also about a trend toward premium products. As China’s growing middle class cares less about a product's price-performance ratio, a new group of service providers has emerged to tap the premium product market.
China Getting an Overhaul
As it tries to reinvent itself, China is facing several daunting threats that could provoke social turmoil. CommonWealth Magazine went to China to identify those perils and see what Beijing is doing to cope with them.
Lu Ping: Beijing’s 'Safest' Candidate Least Trusted in Hong Kong
Taiwanese writer Lu Ping, who served for seven years as director of the Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Center, Taiwan's cultural window in Hong Kong, comments on the former British colony’s first female chief executive.
A China-made Environmental Catastrophe
CommonWealth Magazine reporters went out on the Taiwan Strait to tell the story of the mullet trade. What they saw was the encroachment of Chinese fishing boats in Taiwanese waters and the environmental catastrophe those vessels are creating.
'Taishang' No Longer Coming Home
A series of reforms by China’s stock exchanges have tempted Taiwanese businesses in China to list IPOs there rather than back in Taiwan, leading many to worry that Taiwan’s stock markets may become marginalized.
Beijing’s Interference Creates Economic Minefield
Chinese economist Harry Xiaoying Wu points out how unrestrained government interference in the Chinese economy leads to distortions in resource allocation.
Neglected Voices Hound Tsai Administration
President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration is having a hard time satisfying socie-ty’s expectations. The voices of middle-aged people, residents of remote areas, and those demanding educational reforms must be heard.
Fissure Point Identified at 39 Years Old
The subtle shift in public opinion with 39 years of age as a point of demarcation reflects the reality of divides and frictions developing between the generations on issues large and small. How should Taiwan proceed in the face of this generational divide?
US-China Power Reshuffle Chills Cross-strait Ties
Taiwan’s role in the power struggle between China and the United States means that it must be prepared for difficult times ahead. Not only is Taiwan unlikely to benefit from trade, the cross-strait stalemate is sure to continue.
Majority of CEOs Dissatisfied with Tsai Administration
While Taiwan’s CEOs are cautiously optimistic about global economic prospects, they are pessimistic about relations with China, and the percentage with "nil intention” to invest is at a four-year high.
Taiwanese Makers Struggle as Chinese Tastes Move Upscale
As Chinese consumers develop a taste for the better life, Taiwanese manufacturers, who used to dominate China’s domestic market, are now being forced to transform themselves.
Taiwan Integral to China’s Internationalization
Kibiing Group President Ge Wenyao stresses that, even if Taiwan refused investment from Chinese enterprises, his Group would team up with Western corporations to face off against Taiwanese businesses.
Ready for Chinese Investment?
Chinese investment is everywhere, but Taiwan's fabless semiconductor sector remains off limits. Some domestic IC design firms would like to see the policy change, but questions abound over whether it could be done without compromising national interests.
Chinese Capital Welcomed, but with Caveats
Wealthy Chinese investors have been searching the globe for promising ventures involving established brands and advanced technologies in Europe and the United States.Yet while both regions welcome "red capital" to boost their economies, they see different risks attached.
Is Reform Really in Store?
For the first time in Taiwan’s history, the country’s legislature will not be controlled by KMT-led “pan-blue” forces. People will be watching to see if the change in power will unleash reforms and lead to an era of greater efficiency and less partisanship.
Ready to Take on Cross-strait Turbulence
Nimble campaign tactics, ambiguous cross-strait discourse, and a strong Taiwanese consciousness are the hallmarks of Tsai Ing-wen’s campaign. The daughter of a successful businessman, she has overseen her party’s rebirth and seeks to renew Taiwan’s socio-political and economic structure.
Ready to Test a New President
Taiwan will soon elect a new president, and CommonWealth Magazine’s 2016 State of the Nation Survey has uncovered the priorities most on the minds of the country’s people.
Buying Up the World
China’s electronics industry, backed by its government’s deep pockets, is feasting on global companies to build a high-tech supply chain that is overwhelming rivals. Taiwan’s businesses face a bleak future if they don’t face up to the looming menace.
No Confidence in Economy, Next President
Following a lackluster business year, Taiwan's CEOs are not only pessimistic about the economy and the investment climate next year, but also issued a vote of no confidence in the leadership potential of Taiwan’s three presidential candidates.
China’s "Hogwarts"
Remember the Hogwarts School featured in the Harry Potter fantasy novel and movie series? Beijing University Affiliated Senior High School is the only high school in China to follow an institute and house structure, giving students full autonomy to arrange their own classes and schedules.
Don’t Play Down the Meaning of a Handshake
Sociologist Kao Cheng-shu is optimistic that the Ma-Xi Meeting will open up new opportunities, should Taiwan have the foresight to take advantage of them.
‘One China Principle’ a Roadblock, Not a Bridge
Former DPP Legislator Lin Chuo-shui feels that President Ma Ying-jeou made things even more difficult for Taiwan during his meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping.
Don’t Let Cross-strait Issues Hold Taiwan Hostage
Poet and activist Wu Cheng expresses his disappointment in the KMT’s administration and calls for caution in dealing with cross-strait issues.
Key Is Fundamentals, Not Competitiveness
His Cloud Gate Dance Theater has performed in China many times, but Lin Hwai-min feels that for Taiwan to thrive culturally and maintain its dignity, it must expand its vision and stay true to what makes it distinctive.
The Ma-Xi Meeting Highlights the Jurisdiction of the Republic of China
James Hsiao, 23, is the chairman of the KMT Youth League and an ex officio member of the KMT Central Committee. A political science major at Tunghai University, he got involved in student politics in high school. Hsiao believes that the “one China" denotes the Republic of China.
What the historic Ma-Xi meeting could mean for cross-Strait relations
Former American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Richard Bush analyzes the Ma-Xi meeting and reaction to it and looks at what may lie ahead for cross-Taiwan Strait relations.
Ma-Xi Meeting Puts Unification-Independence Issue Center Stage
Tseng Po-yu, 24, is the youngest female candidate in Taiwan's upcoming general elections. One of the spokespersons for last year's Sunflower student movement Tseng is running for the Green Party-Social Democratic Party Alliance in New Taipei City. She feels that the Ma-Xi Meeting has put Taiwan at a disadvantage.
‘One China’ Gives Away Taiwan’s Position
Fang-ming Chen, Chair Professor of the Graduate Institute of Taiwanese Literature at National Chengchi University and an important voice for Taiwanese independence, served as director of information for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party in early 1990s. In this interview, Chen enumerates why the Ma-Xi meeting in Singapore was far from a victory for Taiwan.
We need Institutionalized, Supra-Partisan Exchanges with China
People First Party (PFP) Chairman and presidential candidate James Soong has met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese President Xi Jinping on separate occasions. How does Soong assess the meeting in Singapore between Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou and Xi?
Limiting the Choice of the Taiwanese
Today, after watching the Ma-Xi meeting on the television, I believe most Taiwanese are as disappointed as I am. President Ma left under the concern that this visit would be shrouded in secrecy. Now he is about to return with even greater controversy.
Can the Next President Sustain the Cross-strait Breakthrough?
Yun-han Chu, Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute of Political Science of Academia Sinica, likens the Ma-Xi meeting to a pole vaulter’s pole, which the next president of Taiwan must take up to spring Taiwan towards assuming a strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region.
Political Theater or Meaningful Moment?
The presidents of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China met for the first time ever in Singapore on Nov. 7. Did it set a valuable precedent for cross-Taiwan Strait relations, or was it merely a blip in the radar that will soon give way to less harmonious times?
Campaigning to Reawaken Hope
Her emergence as the Kuomintang's prospective presidential candidate may have been the product of unusual circumstances, but "Little Hot Pepper" Hung Hsiu-chu is ready to wage a vigorous campaign against heavy favorite Tsai Ing-wen.
China's Ambitious Generation
This may not be the best of times, but it is the best time for realizing ambitions. In his day, Mao Zedong stressed political fanaticism. Today, the Xi Jinping regime is dedicated to helping people get wealthy. How will it make its mark on history?
Decoding Beijing's Intentions
The entire world is engaged in a battle for innovation and transformation supremacy. Qu Daokui, one of China's foremost robotics experts, tells CommonWealth how China will go from the world's manufacturer to a manufacturing superpower.
China's New Economy Companies Win Big
In this year's Greater China Top 1000 Survey, new names have taken the top spots in growth, EPS and profits, and China's new economy upstarts have dislodged the old guard.
Fuzhou – The Beginning of the Road
Located in a "dent" along China's coastal economic belt, Fuzhou has been made the starting point of the country's Maritime Silk Road, with the mission of attracting Taiwanese merchants and businesses.
Kashgar--Treading An Unstable Path
Many unknowns overshadow Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision for the oasis city of Kashgar, near China's westernmost border. Slogans urging people to "maintain stability" are visible everywhere, and visitors have to be prepared for frequent security checks.
Urumqi--At the First and Final Mile
It is risky to place all one’s bets on Xinjiang when doing business in the fractious Central Asian region. Yet China maintains a tight grasp on the area due to its rich oil and mineral resources, despite the thorny issue of Xinjiang independence.
What Is China Really Up To?
China is selling its ambitious development plan as a boon for Asia's infrastructure, but the plan's biggest beneficiary will be Beijing itself as it seeks to redraw Eurasia in its own image. As for Taiwan, it may have no choice but to go along.
Is A Degree from Taiwan Really Worth It?
After coming to Taiwan with high expectations and studying for four years, students from across the strait find themselves asking each other, "Is it worth it?
Shaking Up the System
When Chinese students were first allowed to study full-time in Taiwan four years ago, critics feared they would snatch resources and jobs from Taiwanese students. Now that the first class of these students is ready to graduate, have those fears played out?
China, Political Infighting on People's Minds
CommonWealth Magazine's latest State of the Nation Survey found ongoing dismay with partisan wrangling at home but decidedly mixed attitudes toward China, even in the wake of social movements portraying Beijing as a villain.
Worried About Cross-strait Trade
Taiwan's CEOs are optimistic about the economy next year, but widespread concern exists over stalled momentum in trade ties with China and Taiwan's inability to join regional trade blocs.
Hong Kong's Middle Class Exodus
Hong Kong's middle class has had enough of skyrocketing housing prices and a declining quality of life and is looking for a way out. For some, Taiwan has become an oasis of hope.
The Disappearing Middle Class
Hong Kong has a glitzy image. Lurking behind the glittering façade, however, is a society with the greatest rich-poor divide in Asia. Is there any reason for new hope?
Intellectuals Must Speak Up for the Poor
When prominent Chinese American historian and Sinologist Yu Ying-shih was in Taiwan in mid-September to collect the Tang Prize for Sinology, he had a clear message for Taiwan's intellectuals: be advocates for those in need.
The Burden of 'One Country, Two Systems'
Hong Kong became part of China 17 years ago under a "one country, two systems" model. The reunion has brought economic gains but also huge costs, including curbed freedoms. What does this portend for the futures of both Hong Kong and Taiwan?
Showdown Between the Locusts and the Lackeys
Seventeen years after the British colony of Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule, there is hardly any love left between the Hong Kong people and their compatriots in the motherland. The territory is moving closer to the breaking point over self-identity.
Hong Kong at a Crossroads
Once seen as purely "economic animals," the people of Hong Kong have taken to the streets to protest Beijing's restrictive political reforms. CommonWealth Magazine spoke with the leaders of the demonstrations. Here's what they said.
China's Tide of Trash
The coasts of Taiwan's islands in the Taiwan Strait are being overwhelmed by garbage floating in from China. The invasion is changing how the islanders see China and costing Taiwanese taxpayers, but Beijing has done little to stem the tide.
E-commerce Revives Remote Villages
The rural community of Suichang has created an economic miracle through online shopping. Farmers, country stores and open fields have become the future of China's mobile economy.
Chinese E-commerce Giants Surge
This year's CommonWealth Magazine Greater China Top 1000 Survey found that the competitiveness of Taiwan's companies continues to erode while Chinese e-commerce giants have remained on the ascendance.
Cross-strait Competitiveness ≠ Global Competitiveness
Can competitiveness cultivated in China really compete? Apart from a select minority that has managed to expand operations globally, most Taiwanese companies have found their success limited to China alone.
Without China Ties, Int'l Ties Are Bleak
In this exclusive interview, the former secretary general of Taiwan's National Security Council offers a frank assessment of the country's foreign affairs predicament in the wake of recent protests.
We Resist China, Not Free Trade
In this exclusive interview, heavyweight DPP policymaker Joseph Wu sets out the opposition party's case for opposing economic entanglement with China, and pursuing a path of international trade beneficial for Taiwan.