I wrote about this tree, which grows through the first two stories of a building before spreading its canopy over the balcony and roof, in Why Taiwan Matters. Every time I return to Taiwan I look for it with trepidation -- someday, it won't be there anymore. But for now, I'm happy to report, this icon of Taiwan's abundant plant life is still with us. … [Read more...] about Still standing …
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History Lessons in Keelung
I thought I knew a lot about Taiwan's history. I'm familiar with incursions and attacks by Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and US forces. But today I learned of France's brief occupation of the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung (Jilung). My teacher was Captain Dennis Kuo, a retired ROC naval officer; he delivered the lesson in his apartment overlooking Keelung … [Read more...] about History Lessons in Keelung
Sunday is for Picnics in the Train Station
Taiwan is home to more than 150,000 Southeast Asians. Although the island is attracting many students from Southeast Asia, most of those residents are here to work. For many, Sunday is their only day off each week. They make the most of it by meeting up with friends from home, often at Taipei's main station. Southeast Asians throng to the station's shops and crowd the … [Read more...] about Sunday is for Picnics in the Train Station
Young Activists Chart a New Course for an Old Party
Less than 12 months ago, Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalist Party, seemed unstoppable. After losing the presidency and legislative majority in 2016, the party bounced back with a huge victory in the November 2018 local elections. With incumbent president Tsai Ing-wen's approval ratings in the basement, the KMT seemed on track to win back national power in January … [Read more...] about Young Activists Chart a New Course for an Old Party
The Many Faces of Taiwan
I noticed a store near my house today that I hadn't seen before, perhaps because it's often closed -- with the metal gate pulled down over the front -- when I'm out and about in the neighborhood. I mentioned to my friend Fann Meeiyuan that sometimes a place takes on an entirely different look depending on the time of day. So, naturally, she took me to just such a place. … [Read more...] about The Many Faces of Taiwan
