David on Formosa
@davidonformosa.mstdn.social.ap.brid.gy
Focus on Taiwan politics with some posts about Thailand and China. Supporting human rights and democracy everywhere.
🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://mstdn.social/@davidonformosa, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://mstdn.social/@davidonformosa, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
Pinned
Freedom House awarded its 2025 Beacon Award to the government and civil society of Taiwan for their "steadfast efforts to protect their own vibrant democracy, and to support the global struggle for freedom, in the face of escalating pressure from the Chinese […]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
🗳️ Vote buying remains a problem in Thailand and little is being done to stop it
"Deep-rooted in Thai politics, the practice has resurfaced aggressively, highlighting a systemic failure of the nation’s democratic safeguards."
https://prachataienglish.com/node/11781
#Thailand #Election […]
"Deep-rooted in Thai politics, the practice has resurfaced aggressively, highlighting a systemic failure of the nation’s democratic safeguards."
https://prachataienglish.com/node/11781
#Thailand #Election […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
🗳️ Vote buying remains a problem in Thailand and little is being done to stop it
"Deep-rooted in Thai politics, the practice has resurfaced aggressively, highlighting a systemic failure of the nation’s democratic safeguards."
https://prachataienglish.com/node/11781
#Thailand #Election […]
"Deep-rooted in Thai politics, the practice has resurfaced aggressively, highlighting a systemic failure of the nation’s democratic safeguards."
https://prachataienglish.com/node/11781
#Thailand #Election […]
🔊 Excellent analysis of the Thai election results by Jonathan Head, BBC's Thailand correspondent. He explains how differences between the nature of support for Bhumjaithai and the People's Party translated into the election results. He also discusses some of the reasons for Thailand's economic […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 9, 2026 at 8:27 AM
🔊 Excellent analysis of the Thai election results by Jonathan Head, BBC's Thailand correspondent. He explains how differences between the nature of support for Bhumjaithai and the People's Party translated into the election results. He also discusses some of the reasons for Thailand's economic […]
"Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in jail following his conviction on foreign collusion and sedition charges."
Human Rights Watch called the 20-year jail term "effectively a death sentence" […]
Human Rights Watch called the 20-year jail term "effectively a death sentence" […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 9, 2026 at 3:22 AM
"Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in jail following his conviction on foreign collusion and sedition charges."
Human Rights Watch called the 20-year jail term "effectively a death sentence" […]
Human Rights Watch called the 20-year jail term "effectively a death sentence" […]
🇯🇵 The Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) has won 316 of 465 seats in Japan's House of Representatives. The election result is a big win for PM Sanae Takaichi who called a snap election after only four months in office
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2y7d2z29xo
#Japan #Election #LDP
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2y7d2z29xo
#Japan #Election #LDP
Japan's governing party projected to win snap election majority
A coalition led by current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to clinch a decisive win, according to media projections after polls closed.
www.bbc.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
🇯🇵 The Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) has won 316 of 465 seats in Japan's House of Representatives. The election result is a big win for PM Sanae Takaichi who called a snap election after only four months in office
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2y7d2z29xo
#Japan #Election #LDP
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2y7d2z29xo
#Japan #Election #LDP
🇹🇭 Bhumjaithai, the party of incumbent prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has won a plurality in the Thai election and is likely to form the next government
"With 90% of the votes counted, Anutin's Bhumjaithai party projected to win 194 seats in Bangkok's 500-seat parliament, with the People's […]
"With 90% of the votes counted, Anutin's Bhumjaithai party projected to win 194 seats in Bangkok's 500-seat parliament, with the People's […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 8, 2026 at 8:05 PM
🇹🇭 Bhumjaithai, the party of incumbent prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has won a plurality in the Thai election and is likely to form the next government
"With 90% of the votes counted, Anutin's Bhumjaithai party projected to win 194 seats in Bangkok's 500-seat parliament, with the People's […]
"With 90% of the votes counted, Anutin's Bhumjaithai party projected to win 194 seats in Bangkok's 500-seat parliament, with the People's […]
Thailand's People's Party is likely to win a plurality in the election but it will still find it difficult to form government. The party's predecessor, Move Forward Party, was the largest party after the 2023 election but was blocked from power
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp820jrq3yvo […]
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp820jrq3yvo […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 6, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Thailand's People's Party is likely to win a plurality in the election but it will still find it difficult to form government. The party's predecessor, Move Forward Party, was the largest party after the 2023 election but was blocked from power
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp820jrq3yvo […]
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp820jrq3yvo […]
New report on Australia-Taiwan relations by the United States Studies Centre at University of Sydney
"In Australia, the use of caution as the default framework for engagement with Taipei, along with our longstanding reductionist debate, has fundamentally hampered any crafting of a sophisticated […]
"In Australia, the use of caution as the default framework for engagement with Taipei, along with our longstanding reductionist debate, has fundamentally hampered any crafting of a sophisticated […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 PM
New report on Australia-Taiwan relations by the United States Studies Centre at University of Sydney
"In Australia, the use of caution as the default framework for engagement with Taipei, along with our longstanding reductionist debate, has fundamentally hampered any crafting of a sophisticated […]
"In Australia, the use of caution as the default framework for engagement with Taipei, along with our longstanding reductionist debate, has fundamentally hampered any crafting of a sophisticated […]
Australia's foreign minister has released a statement on the second anniversary of Australian citizen Dr Yang Jun receiving a suspended death sentence in China. Yang, a writer and democracy activist, has been detained in China since January 2019 […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 5, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Australia's foreign minister has released a statement on the second anniversary of Australian citizen Dr Yang Jun receiving a suspended death sentence in China. Yang, a writer and democracy activist, has been detained in China since January 2019 […]
A new report calls on Australia to strengthen its ties with Taiwan. Contributors to the report include former senior government officials
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/australia-taiwan-security-trade-ties-should-expand-experts-say/106306736
#Taiwan #auspol #台灣
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/australia-taiwan-security-trade-ties-should-expand-experts-say/106306736
#Taiwan #auspol #台灣
Report says Australia's focus on China has 'eroded' Taiwan's trust
Experts say Australia needs to do more to grow its relationship with Taiwan as China works to diplomatically isolate Taipei in the region.
www.abc.net.au
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
A new report calls on Australia to strengthen its ties with Taiwan. Contributors to the report include former senior government officials
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/australia-taiwan-security-trade-ties-should-expand-experts-say/106306736
#Taiwan #auspol #台灣
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/australia-taiwan-security-trade-ties-should-expand-experts-say/106306736
#Taiwan #auspol #台灣
Just published: Public Support for Taiwan’s Bluebird Movement and Legislative Reform
"This study examines how independent voters differed from partisan voters in their responses to one of the most defining political moments in recent years, the legislative reform, and the subsequent Bluebird […]
"This study examines how independent voters differed from partisan voters in their responses to one of the most defining political moments in recent years, the legislative reform, and the subsequent Bluebird […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 4, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Just published: Public Support for Taiwan’s Bluebird Movement and Legislative Reform
"This study examines how independent voters differed from partisan voters in their responses to one of the most defining political moments in recent years, the legislative reform, and the subsequent Bluebird […]
"This study examines how independent voters differed from partisan voters in their responses to one of the most defining political moments in recent years, the legislative reform, and the subsequent Bluebird […]
The Chinese government intensified its repression in 2025 according to Human Rights Watch's annual report. It particularly targeted minority groups including Tibetans, Uyghurs and members of unofficial churches
"The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous […]
"The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 4, 2026 at 11:12 AM
The Chinese government intensified its repression in 2025 according to Human Rights Watch's annual report. It particularly targeted minority groups including Tibetans, Uyghurs and members of unofficial churches
"The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous […]
"The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous […]
Thailand will hold a general election on 8 February. The People's Party is likely to win the most votes with its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut a favourite to become prime minister
The People's Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party which was the largest party after the 2023 […]
The People's Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party which was the largest party after the 2023 […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 2, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Thailand will hold a general election on 8 February. The People's Party is likely to win the most votes with its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut a favourite to become prime minister
The People's Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party which was the largest party after the 2023 […]
The People's Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party which was the largest party after the 2023 […]
Taiwan Go Go Front (台灣前進陣線) is an alliance of four progressive, pro-Taiwan minor parties coordinating for the 2026 local elections
"If the minor parties are to survive, they need higher exposure and becoming public representatives is the best way to be formally recognised. Therefore, an […]
"If the minor parties are to survive, they need higher exposure and becoming public representatives is the best way to be formally recognised. Therefore, an […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
February 1, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Taiwan Go Go Front (台灣前進陣線) is an alliance of four progressive, pro-Taiwan minor parties coordinating for the 2026 local elections
"If the minor parties are to survive, they need higher exposure and becoming public representatives is the best way to be formally recognised. Therefore, an […]
"If the minor parties are to survive, they need higher exposure and becoming public representatives is the best way to be formally recognised. Therefore, an […]
Taiwan FactCheck Centre reviews key events in 2025 related to disinformation, conspiracy theories and online rumours
"Throughout 2025, TFC’s fact-checking team produced more than 540 fact-checks, along with 85 in-depth, explanatory articles and weekly rumor observatories. We also published over […]
"Throughout 2025, TFC’s fact-checking team produced more than 540 fact-checks, along with 85 in-depth, explanatory articles and weekly rumor observatories. We also published over […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 27, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Taiwan FactCheck Centre reviews key events in 2025 related to disinformation, conspiracy theories and online rumours
"Throughout 2025, TFC’s fact-checking team produced more than 540 fact-checks, along with 85 in-depth, explanatory articles and weekly rumor observatories. We also published over […]
"Throughout 2025, TFC’s fact-checking team produced more than 540 fact-checks, along with 85 in-depth, explanatory articles and weekly rumor observatories. We also published over […]
Late Stalinism in Beijing
"This consolidation does not alter near-term timelines on Taiwan, but it accelerates political drift in the People’s Republic of China toward a late Stalinist disequilibrium in which Xi’s personal control is maximized at the cost of orderly succession management […]
"This consolidation does not alter near-term timelines on Taiwan, but it accelerates political drift in the People’s Republic of China toward a late Stalinist disequilibrium in which Xi’s personal control is maximized at the cost of orderly succession management […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 27, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Late Stalinism in Beijing
"This consolidation does not alter near-term timelines on Taiwan, but it accelerates political drift in the People’s Republic of China toward a late Stalinist disequilibrium in which Xi’s personal control is maximized at the cost of orderly succession management […]
"This consolidation does not alter near-term timelines on Taiwan, but it accelerates political drift in the People’s Republic of China toward a late Stalinist disequilibrium in which Xi’s personal control is maximized at the cost of orderly succession management […]
A good visualiser of who is now in charge of the PLA after the purge of vice chairman General Zhang Youxia.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/25/2003851179
#China #ccp #xijinping
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/25/2003851179
#China #ccp #xijinping
January 25, 2026 at 4:04 AM
A good visualiser of who is now in charge of the PLA after the purge of vice chairman General Zhang Youxia.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/25/2003851179
#China #ccp #xijinping
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/25/2003851179
#China #ccp #xijinping
Human rights groups have written an open letter calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prioritize human rights in his discussions with Xi Jinping and other government officials during his forthcoming visit to China
The letter also called for the release of publisher Jimmy Lai who has […]
The letter also called for the release of publisher Jimmy Lai who has […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 22, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Human rights groups have written an open letter calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prioritize human rights in his discussions with Xi Jinping and other government officials during his forthcoming visit to China
The letter also called for the release of publisher Jimmy Lai who has […]
The letter also called for the release of publisher Jimmy Lai who has […]
Taiwan's Bluebird Movement (青鳥行動) and the subsequent Great Recall (大罷免) are examples of decentralized democracy in action
"When social movements develop a decentralised mode of operation, they are particularly valuable in the process of democracy-building." […]
"When social movements develop a decentralised mode of operation, they are particularly valuable in the process of democracy-building." […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 19, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Taiwan's Bluebird Movement (青鳥行動) and the subsequent Great Recall (大罷免) are examples of decentralized democracy in action
"When social movements develop a decentralised mode of operation, they are particularly valuable in the process of democracy-building." […]
"When social movements develop a decentralised mode of operation, they are particularly valuable in the process of democracy-building." […]
Reposted by David on Formosa
China: Flies sorties into Taiwan's air defense zone (ADIZ)
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 AM
China: Flies sorties into Taiwan's air defense zone (ADIZ)
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
RE: https://g0v.social/@KinmenRisingProject/115915249071962720
"this incident has shown the public that Chinese infiltration is no longer limited to political figures or grassroots organizations, but has deeply penetrated into the information production chain"
"this incident has shown the public that Chinese infiltration is no longer limited to political figures or grassroots organizations, but has deeply penetrated into the information production chain"
g0v.social
January 18, 2026 at 9:54 PM
RE: https://g0v.social/@KinmenRisingProject/115915249071962720
"this incident has shown the public that Chinese infiltration is no longer limited to political figures or grassroots organizations, but has deeply penetrated into the information production chain"
"this incident has shown the public that Chinese infiltration is no longer limited to political figures or grassroots organizations, but has deeply penetrated into the information production chain"
A former Supreme Court judge in Taiwan writes about how his personal opposition to the death penalty has shaped his career
"I used to tell my friends that if my name ever appeared on a judgement sentencing someone to death, I would rather resign than live with that." […]
"I used to tell my friends that if my name ever appeared on a judgement sentencing someone to death, I would rather resign than live with that." […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 17, 2026 at 11:13 PM
A former Supreme Court judge in Taiwan writes about how his personal opposition to the death penalty has shaped his career
"I used to tell my friends that if my name ever appeared on a judgement sentencing someone to death, I would rather resign than live with that." […]
"I used to tell my friends that if my name ever appeared on a judgement sentencing someone to death, I would rather resign than live with that." […]
Kevin Slaten, research lead for the China Dissent Monitor, a project of Freedom House, talks about how the project tracks protest events in China and the insight it provides into China's domestic politics […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 16, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Kevin Slaten, research lead for the China Dissent Monitor, a project of Freedom House, talks about how the project tracks protest events in China and the insight it provides into China's domestic politics […]
The family home of White Terror victim Ko Chi-hua (柯旗化) in Kaohsiung is open to the public as a museum telling the story of how a family copied with Ko's imprisonment
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2026/01/16/2003850682
#Taiwan #kaohsiung #museum #History #台灣 #高雄
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2026/01/16/2003850682
#Taiwan #kaohsiung #museum #History #台灣 #高雄
Torn apart by the White Terror - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:07 AM
The family home of White Terror victim Ko Chi-hua (柯旗化) in Kaohsiung is open to the public as a museum telling the story of how a family copied with Ko's imprisonment
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2026/01/16/2003850682
#Taiwan #kaohsiung #museum #History #台灣 #高雄
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2026/01/16/2003850682
#Taiwan #kaohsiung #museum #History #台灣 #高雄
Taiwan's musical diplomacy continues in Finland with a special performance featuring a collaboration between Freddy Lim and Taiwanese musicians
"Taiwania" is a cross-cultural music ensemble formed by Tsugaru shamisen performer Zuiko (Ni Jui-Hsin), violinist […]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
"Taiwania" is a cross-cultural music ensemble formed by Tsugaru shamisen performer Zuiko (Ni Jui-Hsin), violinist […]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
January 13, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Taiwan's musical diplomacy continues in Finland with a special performance featuring a collaboration between Freddy Lim and Taiwanese musicians
"Taiwania" is a cross-cultural music ensemble formed by Tsugaru shamisen performer Zuiko (Ni Jui-Hsin), violinist […]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
"Taiwania" is a cross-cultural music ensemble formed by Tsugaru shamisen performer Zuiko (Ni Jui-Hsin), violinist […]
[Original post on mstdn.social]
Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has gone from the vanguard of a democratic protest movement to the leader of an obstructionist party allied with the KMT. His political transformation can only be seen as negative and destructive
"Huang still speaks the language of accountability, invokes constitutional […]
"Huang still speaks the language of accountability, invokes constitutional […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has gone from the vanguard of a democratic protest movement to the leader of an obstructionist party allied with the KMT. His political transformation can only be seen as negative and destructive
"Huang still speaks the language of accountability, invokes constitutional […]
"Huang still speaks the language of accountability, invokes constitutional […]