Written by Jackson Yeh. This article reviews the influential legacies of the Sunflower Movement to Taiwan politically and its state-society relations, including an institutionalised oversight mechanism of future cross-Strait deals. Nevertheless, the article contends that the journey of the Sunflower Movement against the China factors remains unfinished.
Written by Brian Hioe. The geopolitical fates diverged significantly in the past decade since the Sunflower and Umbrella Movements broke out ten years ago. Nevertheless, this article analyses the political interactions between Hong Kong and Taiwan in terms of movement activists and electoral politics. The author argues that these exchanges are expected to continue.
Written by Ming-sho Ho. This article examines the commemorative events held to mark the tenth anniversary of the Sunflower Movement in March 2024. It highlights the significance of these events to reassert the core values and demands, give voice to the participants and establish the movement’s contemporary relevance.
Written by Adrian Chiu. This special issue presents a brilliant line-up of scholars and observers of the two movements which provides insights and perspectives to analyse and reflect on the tenth anniversary of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movements. This introductory piece briefly sets the scene for their excellent analysis by reviewing some of the significant political changes both internationally and domestically.
Written by Alessandro Albana and Antonio Fiori. The president-elect Lai Ching-te is expected to bring about no significant changes compared to the incumbent leadership of Tsai Ing-wen in terms of external relations. This article reviews the growing relationship between Taiwan and Europe in the past few years and the potential obstacles ahead.
Written by Yu-Ching Kuo and Chun-Yi Lee. With limited access to the physical public sphere, the COVID-19 pandemic has made digital democracy more vital than ever. This article examines the challenges and opportunities of its adaptation in post-pandemic Taiwan, especially on the relationship between digital protection and citizens’ privacy.
Written by Isabelle Cockel. This article reviews the case of Nguyen Quoc Phi, an undocumented Vietnamese worker who lost his life to a police constable’s gunshots on 31st August 2017. It reveals the online ethnic trolling of migrant workers and the discrimination they face institutionally.
Written by Frédéric Krumbein. Han Guo-yu is arguably the most definitive example of a populist in Taiwan. This article reviews his quick rise and fall and the media narratives of him and reflects on whether Taiwan is a hard place for populists to succeed.
Written by Uma Baron. Taiwan has long been recognised as an international beacon for LGBTQ+ rights. This article analyses the existing diplomatic power and future potential of Tongzhi diplomacy as part of the agenda of preserving and expanding Taiwan’s presence in international spaces.
Written by Ratih Kabinawa. In recent years, Taiwan increasingly utilised non-state actors to bypass its diplomatic constraints. This article focuses on the role of Taishang or Taiwanese businesspeople who have served as the frontline of Taiwan’s public diplomacy, especially under the leadership of the DPP and Tsai Ing-wen as president.
Written by Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy. In 2023, Taiwan continued to present itself as a democracy internationally through subnational diplomacy. As it elected a new president and a new parliament in the new year, this article anlayses how the dynamics of cross-Strait relations are driving the internationalisation of Taiwan. It is expected that the two sides are likely to drift further apart in the coming years and this will further strengthen Taiwan’s identity as a democracy.
Written by Dafydd Fell. There have been a number of major changes in Taiwan’s party system since the November 2022 local elections. This article analyses the decline of Taiwan’s movement parties from the perspective of party system factors and suggests strategies these parties can adopt.
Taiwan Insight 