Written by Wu Chieh-Hsiang. This article discusses the potential consequences of budget cuts to Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. It explores concerns about censorship and repression due to these cuts, as well as the impact on cultural institutions and freedom of expression.
Written by YouHao Lai and Gahon Chiang. This article explores the procedural and substantive controversies of the unprecedented budget cuts and their impact on Taiwan’s government and national security, ad what might come next. The cuts disrupt the core government’s functions and policy implementation and efforts to strengthen its self-defence. It is a test of national will to ensure Taiwan’s long-term security.
Written by Indigenous Youth Front. This article examines the 2024 amendment to the Organization Act of the Council of Indigenous Peoples. It places this controversial amendment within the broader context of the long-term marginalisation of Indigenous peoples in political participation and advocates for actions that uphold genuine Indigenous self-determination.
Written by Chee-Hann Wu. his article examines the participation of K-pop fans in Taiwan’s new wave of the Bluebird Movement since December 2024, demonstrating how transnational fandom culture can intersect with social activism and serve as a vehicle for resisting perceived threats to democracy and personal freedoms.
Written by Cheng-Ching Lin and Grace Huang. The Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF) unites dedicated allies from Taiwan’s civil society to advance judicial reform. This article highlights their efforts and achievements in 2024, as well as their outlook for 2025. Despite the challenges posed by political turmoil in parliament, JRF remains committed to fostering public engagement, rebuilding trust in democratic governance, and upholding the rule of law.
Written by Robert Wang. Over the past two years, with the support of AIT and MOFA as well as local NGOs, a Taiwan NGO alliance has successfully initiated a Fellowship Program to provide training for young NGO activists in the region and to create an NGO support network in Asia. It is important that this program be continued and expanded in order to strengthen civil societies and bolster democracies in the region.
Written by Shih-An Wang. This article examines the 2024 amendment to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act from the perspective of democratic backsliding. The author argues that the amendment demonstrates an alarming political attempt to undermine the Constitutional Court’s integrity and advocates for greater levels of public oversight to halt the derogation of democracy.
Written by Dr Chieh-chi HSIEH. This article examines the domestic political turmoil in Taiwan in 2024, including corruption scandals for all three main parties and ongoing confrontation in the Legislature. However, it argues that these challenges have demonstrated the resilience of Taiwan’s democracy based on the evidence of its institutions, leadership and people.
Written by Anthony Lee. This article explores Taiwan’s Internet governance model, underlining its commitment to democratic principles and multistakeholder participation. Taiwan’s success in this area will depend on confronting challenges such as adapting to emerging technologies, ensuring privacy protection, and navigating geopolitical pressures while upholding democratic values and fostering international partnerships.
Written by Dominika Remžová. This article is republished from chinaobservers.eu. The article traces Taiwan’s 228 Incident, White Terror and transitional justice, and critically examines the challenges Lai administration will face in regard to human rights, democratic transitions and pursuit of transitional justice.
Written by Dominika Remžová. This article examines the recent Bluebird Movement in Taiwan, sparked by controversial legislative amendments pushed by the pan-Blue majority. Drawing parallels to the 2014 Sunflower Movement, it discusses the implications for Taiwan’s democracy, legislative transparency, and the balance of power between political factions.
Written by the Taiwan Indigenous Youth Public Participation Association; translated by Yu-Chen Chuang. This article highlights the involvement of Indigenous rights advocacy groups in the Bluebird Movement. They call for Indigenous legislators to prioritise their communities’ rights, foster cross-party collaboration, and address the electoral system’s challenges that hinder effective Indigenous political participation.
Taiwan Insight 