Academic Fang-chih Yang charts the development of Taiwan dramas from the 1990s to the present. She observes that the industry has gone through various shifts, from making idol dramas to China dramas to "new Taiwan dramas" (新台剧). Till today, the experiment continues with the challenge of fitting local stories into global popular genres.
Cross-strait relations
Politics
In cases like the Kinmen capsizing incident and in its dealings with the Philippines, China uses its own interpretation of history and international law to launch a narrative where it is the aggrieved party, says Philippine academic Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby. She cautions that crafting a narrative requires anchoring it in strategy instead of being knee-jerk reactions that can lead nations down paths best avoided.
Politics
With the war in Ukraine entering its third year, commentator Chen Kuohsiang asks: could the situation have been avoided? What could Ukraine have done to prevent Russia from invading? Also, by extension, what can Taiwan learn from Ukraine's experience?
Society
A record number of foreign students are choosing to study Mandarin in Taiwan, breaking pre-pandemic records. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Woon Wei Jong looks at the appeal of Taiwan as a Mandarin-learning hub and the impact on its international standing.
Politics
US academic Zhu Zhiqun observes that the ambiguity and grey areas created through tacit understanding among Beijing, Taipei and Washington have long helped sustain the Taiwan Strait peace and prosperity. Once these grey areas fall apart, the fragile stability in the Taiwan Strait could be broken, leading to crises.
Politics
Commentator Qi Dongtao gives his take on so-called radical Taiwan independence in Taiwan and popular support for armed reunification in mainland China, and how such forms of "patriotic nationalism" are making it difficult for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to come to an understanding.
Politics
The waters around Kinmen have long been coveted by fishermen from both sides of the Taiwan Strait for the priceless yellow croakers. However, the recent capsizing of a mainland Chinese fishing boat has sparked a fresh round of tension, with the mainland public dissatisfied with the Taiwan authorities’ fishing restrictions against mainland fishermen. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Woon Wei Jong speaks with the local fishermen in Kinmen to find out more.
Politics
Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong looks at the recent incident of a mainland Chinese fishing boat capsizing off Kinmen after a chase with Taiwanese coast guard, leading to the death of two fishermen. Is mainland China using the crisis to create a new baseline to Beijing’s advantage?