Taiwan Insight

Taiwan’s Austronesian Diplomacy: The Taitung National Museum of Prehistory as an Actor of Museum-Indigenous Diplomacy

Written by Simon Delpeuch. This article examines Taiwan’s Austronesian diplomacy, highlighting the deep tension between the state’s political exploitation of indigenous heritage to counter diplomatic isolation and a more authentic, community-driven approach. It focuses on the National Museum of Prehistory (NMP) as a vital model of informal, reciprocal museum-indigenous diplomacy. By explicitly abandoning Taiwan-centric “origin” narratives, the NMP fosters genuine regional partnerships, despite facing ongoing constraints from broader state agendas and complex geopolitical pressures.

Becoming “Taiwanist”

Written by Wen-chi Li. This article advocates for the institutionalisation of “Taiwanology” and the identity of the “Taiwanist.” Moving beyond traditional European Sinology, Li draws on Deleuzian philosophy to frame this transition not as a rejection, but as a dynamic process of becoming, as an open, fluid space of intellectual resistance that embraces a complex, plural, and planetary dialogue.

Are Taiwanese Technologies Eco-friendly?

Written by Maytapat Pararaman. This article examines the environmental sustainability of Taiwan’s technology sector by exploring the interplay between semiconductor development, environmental governance, and international climate commitments. It argues that while legislation, the RE100 initiative, and COP26 participation have strengthened Taiwan’s green transition, tensions remain between economic competitiveness, democratic geopolitics, and ecological responsibility. Ultimately, the article suggests that eco-friendly technological innovation could become a defining pillar of Taiwan’s future international identity and global credibility.

Geopolitical Anxiety Factors in Czech Republic-Taiwan Relations

18 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Wei-Chung Chen. This article examines Taiwan-Czech relations through the lens of geopolitical anxiety, identifying five periods in Czech political discourse on Taiwan. Taiwan has become a political symbol through which Czech actors negotiate tensions between liberal and authoritarian identities. The relationship’s future, however, remains uncertain amid renewed political divisions.

Taiwan and global heritage frameworks: Assessing ‘authenticity’ value at Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine

17 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Amelia Antolini. This article argues that Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine questions ‘authenticity’ as the universal standard for heritage conservation. Its successive layers of political and social meaning, accumulated through history, are themselves part of its heritage. Fieldwork further shows that visitors engage with the site in diverse ways, challenging rigid, material-based approaches to authenticity.

Fluid flows: phenomenological ecofeminism in Yen Ai Lin and Hsia Yü’s poetry

16 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Gabrielle Killick. This article examines the poetry of Yen Ai Lin and Hsia Yü through the concept of “phenomenological ecofeminism”. It argues that their representations of bodily and natural fluids challenge patriarchal ideas of femininity, expose the social abjection of women’s bodies, and foreground connections between embodiment, nature, and non-human life in post-Martial Law Taiwanese poetry.

Queer utopia shaped by gender and sexuality: Through the lens of the father–Son relationship in Pai Hsien-yung (白先勇)’s novel Crystal Boys (孽子)

15 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Phoenix, Fung Lam Chan. This article examines Pai Hsien-yung’s Crystal Boys through the relationship between fatherhood, masculinity, and queer identity. It argues that the novel exposes how patriarchal family structures and heterosexual norms marginalise homosexual men, while New Park provides an alternative space of queer kinship and belonging. Yet the novel also highlights the continuing limits of this resistance.

Beyond the Rainbow Symbol: Was Tsai Ing-wen’s Election a Breakthrough Moment for Gender Equality in Taiwan?

14 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by I-Sheng Wang. This article argues that Tsai Ing-wen’s election marks a significant breakthrough for gender equality in Taiwan. The Tsai era changed the political meaning of gender equality by embedding it in Taiwan’s democratic identity and state governance. However, the progress was selective, and Tsai’s legacy of equality also becomes a political asset that remains contested and challenged.

Taiwan’s Fascinating Military History: Legacies of the Past and Implications for the Future

11 September 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Eric Setzekorn. This article introduces a new book that explores Taiwan’s military history since 1949 and examines today’s security challenges. It argues that Taiwan’s armed forces have evolved from a conservative “party army” into a more adaptable and balanced institution. It highlights lessons and challenges of the Taiwan-US military relationship and the foundations for Taiwan’s defence resilience.

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