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 three major impacts brought by the Chinese overcapacity 8:55 - Will there be Chinese overcapacity in ..read more

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 - How popular is high-dividend ETF in Taiwan? 10:01 - Why do Taiwanese investors love this kind ..read more

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 an immigration policy 21:01 - Wait, only Japanese immigrants were eligible for disability benefit ..read more

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 significance as it raises the question: Can it breathe new life into Japan's somewhat dormant semi ..read more

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 does Shein compete with Zara? 10:20 - How Shein achieved "ultra-fast fasion" 12:24 - What the uniq ..read more

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 their practices. Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and ex ..read more

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 into the aspirations, hopes, and dreams of two remarkable members of the Hong Kong diaspora – Kac ..read more

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 strategies differ? 16:02 - The two main takeaways from the polling numbers 25:50 - How important ..read more

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 the government do about this? Host: Kwangyin Liu Guest: Jamie Yang Producers: Weiru Wang, Ian Hu ..read more

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 significant than meets the eye. As we navigate through the discussion, she emphasizes the importanc ..read more