Taiwan Insight

Introduction to “Indigenous Language Policies in Taiwan and Beyond”

25 March 2026 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Elizabeth Zeitoun. Taiwan is rich in linguistic diversity. However, many languages, among which the Indigenous languages are now at risk of disappearing. This rapid decline is largely the result of a century of drastic language policies. This topical section presents four articles that offer various insights into the challenges faced by both researchers and Indigenous communities in relation to these policies. The authors address the complexities involved in the preservation and revitalisation of Indigenous languages, shedding light on the obstacles scholars and policymakers encounter while embarking on different measures.

Taiwan’s Delicate Balance: Navigating Trump’s America, Europe’s Hesitations, and China’s Shadow

24 March 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Guido Gargiulo. This article describes how Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, navigates mounting geopolitical pressures from China while balancing relations with the United States under Donald Trump and the European Union. It explores Taipei’s strategy of bolstering defence, securing trade deals, and expanding diplomatic outreach to deter Beijing and strengthen global partnerships amid growing uncertainty in the Taiwan Strait.

Technology and Heritage in Tainan’s Future

23 March 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Gita T. The latest phase of the Southern Taiwan Science Park expansion in Tainan signals a clear shift toward high-tech integration in a city long associated with temples and tradition. This article argues that the question is not whether technology belongs in Tainan, but how this transition is narrated.

Heterogeneous Memories of the White Terror: Beyond Nationalist Narratives toward a Shared Moral Ground

20 March 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Chuan-kai Lin. This article examines the diverse and often overlooked memories of Taiwan’s White Terror, arguing that postwar political violence cannot be fully understood through competing nationalist narratives. Highlighting neglected experiences reveals the heterogeneity among those affected by authoritarian repression. Recognising these fragmented histories, as the article suggests, can move Taiwan’s memory politics beyond identity-based divisions toward a more inclusive and shared moral understanding of the past.

Representing the Unrepresentable: Cinema, Politics, and The Century Bloodshed Controversy

19 March 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Meng-Hao Li. The author describes the controversy surrounding the Taiwanese film The Century Bloodshed, inspired by the unresolved 1980 Lin family massacre. Responding to Wim Wenders’ claim that cinema should remain separate from politics, he argues that film inevitably engages with power and memory. Through debates over the film’s genre, his remarks, and the director’s background, the essay explores the ethical limits of representing historical trauma and Taiwan’s ongoing struggle to confront the legacy of the White Terror.

Harmonies Against the Silence: The GongSheng Music Commemoration’s Quest for Justice

18 March 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Liao Pin-yen. The author, representing the Taiwan Youth Association for Transitional Justice and Kiong-Seng, illustrates how the GongSheng Music Commemoration, a youth-led initiative in Taiwan, reimagines remembrance of the 228 Incident and the White Terror. Through music, exhibitions, storytelling, and NGO participation, the festival bridges generational distance from authoritarian history, advocates for transitional justice, and demonstrates how cultural activism can sustain public memory and civic engagement in contemporary Taiwan.

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