David on Formosa
@davidonformosa.bsky.social
Interested in Taiwan, democracy and human rights.
https://davidonformosa.wordpress.com/
https://davidonformosa.wordpress.com/
Pinned
April 12, 1925: A meeting in Caotun, Japanese-occupied Taiwan, of the Petition Movement for the Establishment of a Taiwanese Parliament. The campaign is led by Iap Ing-tsing, at center holding hat and walking stick.
Some important history here. 100 years ago Taiwanese were working to establish their democratic and independent future!
Reposted by David on Formosa
I wrote on the PRC campaign of words against Japan/Takaichi this week. It's infuriating that after so many years of PRC fauxspeak the int'l media still reaches for the "victims provoke" trope, like complaining that Benes provoked Hitler.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Notes from Central Taiwan: Beijing’s strategic temper tantrums... - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I wrote on the PRC campaign of words against Japan/Takaichi this week. It's infuriating that after so many years of PRC fauxspeak the int'l media still reaches for the "victims provoke" trope, like complaining that Benes provoked Hitler.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Reposted by David on Formosa
"Kerry Brown's 'Why Taiwan Matters' Simply Argues That Taiwan Does Not Matter in the Face of China" by @brianhioe.bsky.social
Kerry Brown’s “Why Taiwan Matters” Simply Argues That Taiwan Does Not Matter in the Face of China | New Bloom Magazine
With increased international attention on Taiwan in past years–particularly with the rise in tensions in the Taiwan Strait–one now sees a curious phenomenon: that of the China hand who wishes to get…
newbloommag.net
November 18, 2025 at 5:52 AM
"Kerry Brown's 'Why Taiwan Matters' Simply Argues That Taiwan Does Not Matter in the Face of China" by @brianhioe.bsky.social
Reposted by David on Formosa
"'Girl' and 'Left-handed Girl': Two Tales of Mothers, Daughters, and Trauma" by Sebastien Smith
“Girl” and “Left-handed Girl”: Two Tales of Mothers, Daughters, and Trauma - No Man Is An Island
First, there was “American Girl” in 2021. Now we have “Left-handed Girl”, and, naturally, the succinctly titled “Girl”—two more coming-of-age dramas centred around young women (and the mothers who rai...
nomanisanis.land
November 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM
"'Girl' and 'Left-handed Girl': Two Tales of Mothers, Daughters, and Trauma" by Sebastien Smith
Reposted by David on Formosa
Taiwan and Finland bands prepare for ‘heavy metal diplomacy’
🇫🇮 🤜🏼🤛🏽 🇹🇼
focustaiwan.tw/culture/2025...
🇫🇮 🤜🏼🤛🏽 🇹🇼
focustaiwan.tw/culture/2025...
Taiwan heavy metal bands ready to rock Helsinki at the end of November - Focus Taiwan
Three Taiwanese bands will join Finnish music groups in Helsinki at the end of November to engage in "heavy metal diplomacy" at a festival organized by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC).
focustaiwan.tw
November 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Taiwan and Finland bands prepare for ‘heavy metal diplomacy’
🇫🇮 🤜🏼🤛🏽 🇹🇼
focustaiwan.tw/culture/2025...
🇫🇮 🤜🏼🤛🏽 🇹🇼
focustaiwan.tw/culture/2025...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Also in #Europe — the current vice president of #Taiwan, Bi-khim Hsiao, who delivered the 1st-ever speech by a senior member of the Taiwanese government in the European Parliament.
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Also in #Europe — the current vice president of #Taiwan, Bi-khim Hsiao, who delivered the 1st-ever speech by a senior member of the Taiwanese government in the European Parliament.
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Australia’s Understanding and Preparedness for a Taiwan Strait Contingency.
From me, for Australian Outlook.
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
From me, for Australian Outlook.
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
Australia’s Understanding and Preparedness for a Taiwan Strait Contingency - Australian Institute of International Affairs
While Taiwan features frequently in Australian strategic and policy discussion and media discourse, overall understanding in Australia’s national life of the implications of a crisis in the Taiwan Str...
www.internationalaffairs.org.au
November 6, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Australia’s Understanding and Preparedness for a Taiwan Strait Contingency.
From me, for Australian Outlook.
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
From me, for Australian Outlook.
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
New ASPI report on Australian institutional responses to a Taiwan Strait crisis. Authors include @mhar4.bsky.social and @nathanattrill.bsky.social
www.aspi.org.au/report/austr...
www.aspi.org.au/report/austr...
October 31, 2025 at 1:08 AM
New ASPI report on Australian institutional responses to a Taiwan Strait crisis. Authors include @mhar4.bsky.social and @nathanattrill.bsky.social
www.aspi.org.au/report/austr...
www.aspi.org.au/report/austr...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Official statement by the foreign ministry of #Taiwan to TIME magazine:
"China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare."
"China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare."
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Official statement by the foreign ministry of #Taiwan to TIME magazine:
"China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare."
"China is the source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait due to its persistent rhetorical and military aggression against Taiwan—including military exercises, gray-zone threats, and cognitive warfare."
Reposted by David on Formosa
A few remarks:
1. I can't get pass the lack of logic of the 1st paragraph, which rightly describes China as a threat for Taiwan (and as being "the most dangerous party") but blames Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for officially aknowledging that threat.
Yes, Taiwan's political system is under threat.
1. I can't get pass the lack of logic of the 1st paragraph, which rightly describes China as a threat for Taiwan (and as being "the most dangerous party") but blames Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for officially aknowledging that threat.
Yes, Taiwan's political system is under threat.
Trump and Xi should exchange assurances — ideally in a new U.S.-PRC joint communiqué — to stabilize cross-strait relations and reduce military activities around Taiwan. My proposal in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/towar...
Toward a Taiwan Truce
How Trump and Xi can pull back from the brink.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:35 AM
A few remarks:
1. I can't get pass the lack of logic of the 1st paragraph, which rightly describes China as a threat for Taiwan (and as being "the most dangerous party") but blames Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for officially aknowledging that threat.
Yes, Taiwan's political system is under threat.
1. I can't get pass the lack of logic of the 1st paragraph, which rightly describes China as a threat for Taiwan (and as being "the most dangerous party") but blames Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for officially aknowledging that threat.
Yes, Taiwan's political system is under threat.
Reposted by David on Formosa
150,000 join Taiwan Pride as organizers urge understanding
Organizers and participants expressed hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Organizers and participants expressed hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
150,000 join Taiwan Pride as organizers urge understanding - Focus Taiwan
Around 150,000 people attended Taiwan Pride on Saturday, with organizers and participants expressing hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversit...
focustaiwan.tw
October 25, 2025 at 12:28 PM
150,000 join Taiwan Pride as organizers urge understanding
Organizers and participants expressed hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Organizers and participants expressed hope that the parade would help build understanding amid a growing global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Reposted by David on Formosa
Zero-based Mobilization: A Rapid Assessment of the Recent Hualien Flood Disaster and the Modernization of Taiwan’s Mobilization Systems blog.schee.info/2025/10/12/z...
Zero-based Mobilization: A Rapid Assessment of the Recent Hualien Flood Disaster and the Modernization of Taiwan’s Mobilization Systems
The scale and intensity of civilian mobilization witnes…
blog.schee.info
October 12, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Zero-based Mobilization: A Rapid Assessment of the Recent Hualien Flood Disaster and the Modernization of Taiwan’s Mobilization Systems blog.schee.info/2025/10/12/z...
Reposted by David on Formosa
My column this week on migrant labor, the US move against Giant, etc
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Notes from Central Taiwan: Just ‘following the law’ - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
My column this week on migrant labor, the US move against Giant, etc
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Congratulations to @audreyt.org for being one of the recipients of the 2025 Right Livelihood Awards
rightlivelihood.org/the-change-m...
rightlivelihood.org/the-change-m...
Audrey Tang - Right Livelihood
rightlivelihood.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Congratulations to @audreyt.org for being one of the recipients of the 2025 Right Livelihood Awards
rightlivelihood.org/the-change-m...
rightlivelihood.org/the-change-m...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Civicus Monitor – China: Regime continues to criminalise activists, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against protesters
monitor.civicus.org/explore/chin...
monitor.civicus.org/explore/chin...
China: Regime continues to criminalise activists, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against protesters - Civicus Monitor
monitor.civicus.org
September 27, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Civicus Monitor – China: Regime continues to criminalise activists, increase digital restrictions and deploy transnational repression against protesters
monitor.civicus.org/explore/chin...
monitor.civicus.org/explore/chin...
US Customs has issued a ban on the import of products from Giant Bicycles Taiwan factory citing the use of forced labour.
Giant also manufacturers bicycles for other brands including the major US cycling brand Trek
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
Giant also manufacturers bicycles for other brands including the major US cycling brand Trek
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Securing America's Borders
www.cbp.gov
September 25, 2025 at 2:39 AM
US Customs has issued a ban on the import of products from Giant Bicycles Taiwan factory citing the use of forced labour.
Giant also manufacturers bicycles for other brands including the major US cycling brand Trek
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
Giant also manufacturers bicycles for other brands including the major US cycling brand Trek
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
The landslide overflowed due to rain from Typhoon Ragasa causing flooding in Guangxi Township, Hualien
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
September 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The landslide overflowed due to rain from Typhoon Ragasa causing flooding in Guangxi Township, Hualien
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Why #Taichung folks were trying to recall #KMT legislator Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒): the 47-year-old son of a prominent #gangster was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months for crimes including embezzlement, falsifying transaction records, and occupying state-owned land. He purchased a Maserati w/ those funds.
September 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Why #Taichung folks were trying to recall #KMT legislator Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒): the 47-year-old son of a prominent #gangster was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months for crimes including embezzlement, falsifying transaction records, and occupying state-owned land. He purchased a Maserati w/ those funds.
Reposted by David on Formosa
Statement by @amnestyuk.bsky.social supporting Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, Thailand’s first conscientious objector www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne... cc @marcusrediker.bsky.social
Thailand authorities must immediately drop charges against conscientious objector
Ahead of the witness examination and hearing of activist and conscientious objector to military service Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal on 9 September, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Mont...
www.amnesty.org
September 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Statement by @amnestyuk.bsky.social supporting Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, Thailand’s first conscientious objector www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne... cc @marcusrediker.bsky.social
Reposted by David on Formosa
An excellent feature on the wansei, Taiwan-born Japanese who were expelled after World War 2. Although the word "repatriation" is used, for some wansei the outbound trip from Keelung was the first time they had left home. Not all were able to integrate into post-war Japan.
The last surviving generation born during Japan’s colonisation of Taiwan - https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-colonisation-taiwan-war-last-surviving-generation-5329901
The last surviving generation born during Japan’s colonisation of Taiwan
Japan’s 50-year rule that ended after World War II left behind not just an architectural legacy, but also complex emotions surrounding identity.
www.channelnewsasia.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
An excellent feature on the wansei, Taiwan-born Japanese who were expelled after World War 2. Although the word "repatriation" is used, for some wansei the outbound trip from Keelung was the first time they had left home. Not all were able to integrate into post-war Japan.
Reposted by David on Formosa
Michelle King on two accessible new books on Taiwan that, fittingly, treat its history as of great interest for its own sake lareviewofbooks.org/article/one-... ...read the essay along w/this lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-de... & this lareviewofbooks.org/article/move... work well as a Taiwan trilogy
One Island, Many Histories | Los Angeles Review of Books
Michelle T. King reviews Catherine Lila Chou and Mark Harrison’s “Revolutionary Taiwan” and Anna Beth Keim’s “Heaven Does Not Block All Roads.”
lareviewofbooks.org
August 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Michelle King on two accessible new books on Taiwan that, fittingly, treat its history as of great interest for its own sake lareviewofbooks.org/article/one-... ...read the essay along w/this lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-de... & this lareviewofbooks.org/article/move... work well as a Taiwan trilogy
Reposted by David on Formosa
#HongKong: 72 rights groups urge the UK Prime Minister to secure the release of imprisoned writer & publisher Jimmy Lai, as his health deteriorates.
#FreeJimmyLai
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#FreeJimmyLai
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
China-Hong Kong: 72 human rights organisations urge UK PM to secure Jimmy Lai’s release as his health deteriorates — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwid...
21 August 2025: Today, PEN International and PEN Centres joined a coalition of 72 freedom of expression and human rights organisations in a letter to the UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer, urging ...
www.pen-international.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#HongKong: 72 rights groups urge the UK Prime Minister to secure the release of imprisoned writer & publisher Jimmy Lai, as his health deteriorates.
#FreeJimmyLai
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#FreeJimmyLai
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Please read the full statement on our website: taiwanfcc.org/20250819-gaz...
August 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Please read the full statement on our website: taiwanfcc.org/20250819-gaz...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Important piece on the abuse of migrant fishers in Taiwan by @michaelturton.bsky.social, who argues that the government has the power to do something about it—if they wanted to.
Notes from Central Taiwan: Subsidies at root of Taiwan’s migrant fishers abuses - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Important piece on the abuse of migrant fishers in Taiwan by @michaelturton.bsky.social, who argues that the government has the power to do something about it—if they wanted to.
Reposted by David on Formosa
As someone who does occasional travel writing and acts as an unofficial tour guide to friends and family visiting #Taiwan, I have some thoughts.
laorencha.substack.com/p/is-interna...
laorencha.substack.com/p/is-interna...
Is International Tourism in Taiwan Really That Bad?
Yes and no. Or just read on for some of my favorite places to take visitors.
laorencha.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
As someone who does occasional travel writing and acts as an unofficial tour guide to friends and family visiting #Taiwan, I have some thoughts.
laorencha.substack.com/p/is-interna...
laorencha.substack.com/p/is-interna...
Reposted by David on Formosa
Brookings just published my analysis of Taiwan politics after the first wave of recalls. The main point: the recalls have resolved some remaining political uncertainty, & all 3 political parties have some incentives to tack towards the middle.
www.brookings.edu/articles/tai...
www.brookings.edu/articles/tai...
Taiwan after the great recalls: Toward a new political equilibrium? | Brookings
After the recall vote, Taiwan’s political combatants now have an opportunity for a political reset. Let us hope that they seize it.
www.brookings.edu
August 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Brookings just published my analysis of Taiwan politics after the first wave of recalls. The main point: the recalls have resolved some remaining political uncertainty, & all 3 political parties have some incentives to tack towards the middle.
www.brookings.edu/articles/tai...
www.brookings.edu/articles/tai...