Written by Jess Marinaccio. This article examines how Taiwan’s post-1949 expansion into Pacific fisheries, amid shifting maritime laws and Pacific decolonisation, led to frequent illegal fishing incidents. These disputes complicated diplomatic ties, engaged both allies and non-recognisers of the ROC, mobilised diaspora communities, and entrenched fisheries, both legal and illegal, as central to Taiwan-Pacific relations.
Written by Bonnie, Yushih Liao. This article argues that Taiwan’s democracy must be stress-tested. While the ultimate results may not have shifted parliamentary power: the campaign’s institutional impact, social effects, and geopolitical implications highlight a crucial inflexion point in Taiwan’s ongoing democratic development.
Written by Dr Chieh-chi HSIEH. This article analyses the winners and losers of the great recall election in Taiwan. It argues that while the two opposition parties (KMT and TPP) neither gained nor lost and the DPP is undoubtedly the main loser, the main winner is the Taiwanese society. The self-motivated attempts to recall their respective legislators, albeit unsuccessful, consolidate Taiwan’s democracy.
Written by Meng Kit Tang. Taiwan’s 2025 mass recall movement mobilised unprecedented civic energy but failed to unseat a single lawmaker. This commentary explores how a campaign born of democratic hope left behind deeper polarisation, institutional strain, and little collective pride. The way forward will require not only better laws or more elections, but also maturity, dialogue, reform and healing.
Written by Tzu-chiao Su. This article suggests that the mass recall movement briefly opened a political Pandora’s box in Taiwan. Fortunately, the results of the vote managed to close it again. The recalls showcased Taiwan’s vibrant democratic energy and its strong democratic resilience, but the recall mechanism must be critically reassessed.
Written by Brian Hioe. This article argues that the great recall movement is more reminiscent of the 2018 than the 2016 elections. The recall movement is sometimes interpreted as the successor of the Bluebird movement last year, but the spectre of the Sunflower Movement still haunts it. Ultimately, however, the dynamics of it are fundamentally different from those of an election.
