Featured Photo Credit: Ted Thai/TIME Magazine Last semester, I applied to attend a conflict resolution conference that brings together young representatives from China, Taiwan, and the U.S. to discuss cross-strait relations. Having spent much of my life studying the controversial status of Taiwan and the various perspectives surrounding it, I was excited to use my … Continue reading Don’t Ask About My Ethnicity; Ask About Me
One of the trending issues in Taiwan is no doubt the ongoing debate about the country’s civics curriculum reform. The Ministry of Education (MoE hereafter) of Republic of China (the official government of Taiwan) claimed that the changes are merely “minor adjustments” to reflect historical facts, and yet, not only were the participants’ names erased … Continue reading Civics Curriculum Reform based on Ethnocentrism May Harm our Children
According to the Ministry of Interior, there are currently 275 registered political parties in Taiwan. That is a huge number of parties! The number of parties existing in Taiwan also highlights the different issues that Taiwan society has interest in. From environmental safety, immigration, labor benefits, culture, social justice, to the traditional areas of … Continue reading The Third Force: Small Parties in Taiwan
Red envelopes. New Years eve dinner. Dumplings. Red. Lion Dancing. Why do we do these things during Lunar New Year? What other traditions are there? Lunar New Years is more than just money in red envelopes or meeting distant relatives during an annual dinner. Just like how much of the Christian faith has to … Continue reading Live through the traditions of Lunar New Year in Taiwan
Similar to the US, Taiwan is made unique by the mixture of cultural groups that call it “home”. The island was originally inhabited by Taiwanese aboriginals and was then colonized by the Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish as a trading post. Later, Ming dynasty supporter Koxinga claimed Taiwan as a base to overthrow the Qing dynasty, … Continue reading Taiwan: Land of Many Tongues
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