Taiwan Sentinel

10/08/2020

https://sentinel.tw/in-memoriam-lee-teng-hui-and-the-democracy-that-he-built/

29/07/2020

A new book released on July 30 takes a close look at the agencies and mechanisms of CCP ‘sharp power’ in eight democracies around the world. For many of the authors, the study of Chinese influence operations has come at a price, both professionally and personally.

https://sentinel.tw/the-making-of-insidious-power-how-china-undermines-global-democracy/

03/07/2020

"Well before the coming into force of the NSL on July 1, the special administrative region had already become a more dangerous territory for many people. Now Beijing has sealed the deal."

29/06/2020

In light of the failure of China’s efforts to encourage “peaceful unification” with Taiwan, along with the counterproductive effects of its sharp power strategy over the past four years, hawkish elements within the CCP and the PLA have increasingly clamoured for a military solution to the conflict.

07/02/2020

https://sentinel.tw/as-coronavirus-crisis-intensifies-beijing-continues-to-play-politics-over-taiwan/ With a major epidemic on its hands, the Chinese government has not ceased its political warfare activities against Taiwan. It is now using the outbreak of coronavirus to divide Taiwanese society and to turn the public against the elected government of Tsai Ing-wen by forcing the latter to choose between public health and politics.

30/12/2019

Disinformation can contribute to polarization within a targeted society while eroding belief in the objective truth. China’s information warfare efforts are helped by a media environment in Taiwan that suffers from a variety of deficiencies.

Disinformation can contribute to polarization within a targeted society while eroding belief in the objective truth. China’s information warfare efforts are helped by a media environment in Taiwan that suffers from a variety of deficiencies. Although Chinese disinformation is very […]

21/10/2019

Family business connections in the Pingtan free-trade zone and a son’s involvement with the CPPCC are raising questions about possible CCP influence in a legislative candidate’s election bid in Chiayi County.

Family business connections in the Pingtan free-trade zone and a son’s involvement with the CPPCC are raising questions about possible CCP influence in a legislative candidate’s election bid in Chiayi County. Questions about possible Chinese interference in Taiwan’s 2020 elections […]

17/10/2019

Since democratization, the main political parties in Taiwan have agreed to rules of the game which have served to legitimize the outcome of elections and ensure democratic continuity. Hitherto unseen forces in the blue and green camps are now threatening to undermine this essential tradition. By J. Michael Cole.

Since democratization, the main political parties in Taiwan have agreed to rules of the game which have served to legitimize the outcome of elections and ensure democratic continuity. Hitherto unseen forces in the blue and green camps are now threatening […]

30/09/2019

"Rather than isolate Taiwan and Hong Kong, Beijing’s unwillingness to accommodate different political systems on its peripheries and its inability to do ‘soft power’ effectively has had the opposite effect." By J. Michael Cole.

Rather than isolate Taiwan and Hong Kong, Beijing’s unwillingness to accommodate different political systems on its peripheries and its inability to do ‘soft power’ effectively has had the opposite effect. Defying an approaching typhoon on Sept. 29, tens of thousands […]

23/08/2019

"Within a matter of months, Han the savior has turned into a liability, and a bit of an embarrassment, for the KMT. What happens in the next weeks and months is anyone’s guess, but it is likely that Han and his supporters might not like what the blue camp has in store for them." By J. Michael Cole.

Within a matter of months, Han the savior has turned into a liability, and a bit of an embarrassment, for the KMT. What happens in the next weeks and months is anyone’s guess, but it is likely that Han and […]

15/08/2019

"The zero-sum game in the Taiwan Strait has outlived its usefulness and no longer reflects reality. Taipei should make it clear that it is willing to think creatively about the problem. Offering the possibility of dual recognition would be a step in that direction." By J. Michael Cole.

The zero-sum game in the Taiwan Strait has outlived its usefulness and no longer reflects reality. Taipei should make it clear that it is willing to think creatively about the problem. Offering the possibility of dual recognition would be a […]

08/08/2019

The slow erosion of freedoms, and the gradual dilution of the idiosyncratic culture in the territory of 7.4 million souls since Handover — both by-products of Beijing’s tone-deaf Han chauvinism — account for the troubles today. Hong Kong's decision to escalate, to take extraordinary risks with little prospect of a favorable outcome, are a signal that the status quo has become untenable. One can only imagine how much more difficult it would be to pacify Taiwan, a proud democracy of 23 million souls, post-unification. By J. Michael Cole

Liberal democratic societies are simply incompatible with the increasingly authoritarian mindset that animates the CCP. The notion that their inhabitants — global, connected and proud of their liberties — would willingly cede their freedoms to Beijing is naive at best. […]

30/07/2019

No. A police state would serve Beijing better, argues Jean-Francois Dupre.

No. A police state would serve Beijing better. With the Hong Kong protests intensifying in the past month, there has been much speculation about Beijing’s next move. In particular, many have wondered whether the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could be […]

19/07/2019

"In recent speeches, both politicians claimed that Taiwan’s democracy is in danger. But the way they conceptualize this danger is markedly different." By Dafydd Fell

蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen
馬英九

In recent speeches, both politicians claimed that Taiwan’s democracy is in danger. But the way they conceptualize this danger is markedly different. When discussing Taiwan under martial law with my students, we often consider how to best categorize its authoritarian […]

18/07/2019

"How can we avoid the imposition of a blanket silence which can only empower our enemies and damage our democracy? One way is to approach the problem from a different angle by providing additional protections for the journalists, academics and political commentators whose job it is to comment on politics." By J. Michael Cole.

How can we avoid the imposition of a blanket silence which can only empower our enemies and damage our democracy? One way is to approach the problem from a different angle by providing additional protections for the journalists, academics and […]

09/07/2019

The proposed sale includes 108 M1A2T Abrams Tanks and 250 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

The proposed sale includes 108 M1A2T Abrams Tanks and 250 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on July 8 announced the notification to Congress of M1A2T “Abrams” Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and Stinger Missiles to Taiwan […]

05/07/2019

Well before Donald Trump came to power, when more accommodating forces were in charge in Washington and other capitals, Beijing was already seeking to undermine the international system. Playing nice clearly isn’t the solution. By J. Michael Cole.

Well before Donald Trump came to power, when more accommodating forces were in charge in Washington and other capitals, Beijing was already seeking to undermine the international system. Playing nice clearly isn’t the solution. A recent open letter in the […]

02/07/2019

United Front Work groups in Taiwan and Hong Kong use the same playbook and rely on a very similar modus operandi to counter civil society during anti-Beijing protests. Last Sunday's rally in Tamar Park was oddly reminiscent of the New May Fourth pro-police rally in Taipei in the wake of the Sunflower Movement, writes J. Michael Cole.

United Front Work groups in Taiwan and Hong Kong use the same playbook and rely on a very similar modus operandi to counter civil society during anti-Beijing protests. Thousands of people participated in a rally in Hong Kong on Sunday […]