Taiwan Insight

Mei’s Original Sin (美之原罪): Settler Colonialism, “Beautiful Country,” White Beauty

Written by Sheng-mei Ma. This article focuses on self-alienation and the pursuit of Eurocentric beauty standards. It examines how Chinese linguistic biases and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery among celebrities reflect a subconscious, self-inflicted whitewashing that parallels historical settler colonialism and racial hierarchies.

LIBERTY SQUARE REVISITED: THE WILD LILY MOVEMENT AND TAIWAN’S DEMOCRATIC CRISIS

Written by Vasja Hafner. This article argues that the Wild Lily Movement not only created repertoires that have been repeatedly reused in subsequent movements, using occupation of public space as the primary way to articulate democratic legitimacy, but also helped create a structural gap in the constitutional architecture. The same protest repertoire is now being used to contest the institutional order.

Beyond Exclusion: Countering Taiwan’s Identity Subordination in Non-State Institutions

Written by Nilufer Mistry Sheasby. This article examines how non-state institutions undermine Taiwan’s identity by mandating subordinating terminology in ostensibly apolitical settings. It argues that traditional diplomatic responses are insufficient and proposes a multi-faceted playbook: coordinating government and private actors to challenge naming decisions, mobilising stakeholder pressure, and mitigating harm when reversal remains impossible.

Lithuania’s Taiwan Balancing Act Tests Europe’s Resolve

Written by Jozef Huljak. This article discusses how Lithuania is resuming economic cooperation talks with Taiwan despite internal political pressure to reset relations with Beijing. This strategy aims to shift the relationship from symbolic solidarity to durable economic interest, testing Europe’s resolve against Chinese coercion while proving that a resilient, mutually beneficial partnership can withstand domestic political cycles.

Legal Indigeneities: Identity, Authenticity, and Power in Taiwan’s Indigenous Courts

7 October 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by J. Christopher Upton. The author explores Taiwan’s specialised Indigenous court units, established in 2013 to bridge cultural differences within the national judiciary. Examining ethnographic courtroom observations, he details how Indigenous litigants actively perform identity through language, attire, legal knowledge, and advocacy. These “boundary institutions” reveal how Indigenous communities creatively navigate, contest, and reshape state legal spaces.

Introduction: From Award-Winning Research to New Conversations in Taiwan Studies

6 October 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Ming-yeh T. Rawnsley. This special issue of Taiwan Insight highlights five award-winning scholars recognised by the International Journal of Taiwan Studies Research Article Competition. Spanning Indigenous justice, vegan activism, cross-Strait relations, political communication, and music history, their essays showcase how Taiwan-focused research transcends a single discipline. Together, they demonstrate how studying Taiwan enriches global academic and public debates.

Taiwan Is Not a Bargaining Chip: Agency and Deterrence after the Donald Trump – Xi Jinping Summit

5 October 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Wai Yan Phyo Naing. The latest Trump-Xi summit highlights the risks of treating Taiwan as a bargaining chip amid shifting US-China relations. This article argues that Taiwan should avoid romanticising Taiwan-US relations and assess commitments through concrete actions, strengthen asymmetric defence and societal resilience, and deepen cooperation with regional partners to preserve deterrence and regional stability.

Lithuania’s Taiwan Balancing Act Tests Europe’s Resolve

2 October 2026 Chee-Hann Wu

Beyond debunking: Taiwan needs a systemic strategy to counter energy misinformation.

1 October 2026 Adrian Chiu

Written by Ming-tse Hung. Taiwan’s renewable energy transition is increasingly threatened by misinformation. This article argues that reactive fact-checking is no longer sufficient. Instead, Taiwan needs a proactive strategy that understands the wider information ecosystem and builds sustained collaboration among government, civil society, media, academia, businesses, and local communities to protect information integrity and support climate action.

China’s Ethnic-Unity Law Tests Taiwan’s Intelligence Strategy towards Chinese

30 September 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Cho-han Hsiung. This article looks at how China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law could reshape Taiwan’s intelligence strategy. As Beijing tightens its reach over Chinese citizens at home and abroad, Taiwan faces both new risks and opportunities. The article argues that stronger asylum protections and secure reporting channels are crucial for distinguishing state operatives from immigrants, dissidents, and others facing political pressure.

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