🇹🇼 Taiwan, Province of China Episodes

We talk a briefing to lawmakers on weapons procurement plans, Taiwan's trade negotiating team meeting the press and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Matej Šimalčík is the Executive Director of CEIAS (Central European Institute of Asian Studies), a think tank that focuses on foreign and security policy issues related to East Asia. Its new report “Partners in need, partners indeed? Tracking Europe-Taiwan relations amidst global disruption” is an updated overview of Taiwan’s relations with 30 European countries. Šimalčík’s research looks at China’s economic and political presence and influence in Central Europe, elite relations, corrosive capital, and the role of European legal instruments in mitigating risks posed by China. In 2022, he founded the China-Europe Academic Engagement Tracker project. In 2025 Šimalčík was a visiting fellow at Taiwan’s INDSR (Institute for National Defense and Security Research).Taiwan and Czechia relations are at an all-time high, but results of the 2025 Czech parliamentary election have raised concerns on the future of the relations. Key decision-makers mentioned today include Andrej Babiš (Czech Prime Minister, since December 2025; 2017-2021), Lin Chia-lung (Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs, since 2024 ), Miloš Vystrčil (Czech Senate President, since 2020), Zdeněk Hřib (Mayor of Prague 2028-2023), Markéta Pekarová Adamová (President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament 2021-2025), Marek Ženíšek (Czech Minister of Science, 2024-2025), Miloš Zeman (Czech President 2013-2023), Václav Havel (first democratic president of the Czech Republic 1993-2003), Hu Jintao (Leader of China 2002-2012), Xi Jinping (Leader of China, since 2012).The report divides the European countries’ relations with Taiwan into four categories:- “Old Partners” - countries with existing long-term ties with Taiwan: UK, France, and Germany.- “New Friends” - the Central and European countries that are actively engaging with Taiwan: Czechia, Lithuania, and Poland.- “Pragmatists” - countries having concerns with engaging with Taiwan but still enjoying economic benefits with Taiwan.- “Laggards” - countries having underdeveloped relations with Taiwan.Although the engagement between Taiwan and some European countries remains low, Šimalčík has seen a small uptake since 2022. This indicates that Taiwan’s engagement with “old partners” and “new friends” is setting an example for other countries. Link to “Partners in need, partners indeed? Tracking Europe-Taiwan relations amidst global disruption”: https://ceias.eu/partners-in-need-partners-indeed-europe-taiwan-relations/Support us by donating on Patreon http://patreon.com/taiwan Producer: Emily Y. WuResearcher: Zack Chiang, Zoe Hu, Hai-Ahn NguyenEditing: Wayne TsaiFollow and tag us on social media:Ghost Island Media | Instagram | Facebook | TwitterA Ghost Island Media production: www.ghostisland.mediaSupport the show: https://patreon.com/TaiwanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk Taiwan and the US finalizing a trade deal, questions over the special defense budget, and plans to create a 'smoke-free city' in Taipei. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk about worries concerning a possible decapitation strike, the ongoing central government budget stand-off, a pulled talk show slated to be hosted by former President Chen Shui-bian and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk China's latest military exercises around Taiwan. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk some of the top stories from here in Taiwan in 2025. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk a large US arms sale to Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai's refusal to enact legislation giving local government's more money, a presidential pre-recorded address; cross-strait tourism issues and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the government's strong reaction to South Korea's newly launched e-Arrival card system; Tsai Ing-wen talking the need for a solar power policy 2.0, government agencies justifying a decision to block Chinese social media app, Xiaohongshu for a year and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the latest news concerning next year's city and county elections from the north and the south. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk President Lai Ching-te's proposal for a NT$1.25trillion special defense budget, the ongoing China-Japan spat over Taiwan from a Taiwan perspective and criticism of ruling handed down by the High Court in child sex images case. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the vice president addressing the European Parliament, the legislative speaker calling out the president over China's threats against a DPP lawmaker, the KMT's leader courting controversy by attending a memorial event and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the KMT getting a new leader, a legislative showdown over proposals to amend civil service pension reforms, the latest news about the African swine fever outbreak and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Taiwan not being on the agenda of a big meeting in South Korea, an African swine fever outbreak and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the KMT electing a new chairperson amid claims of outside meddling, Nvidia's plans for a new headquarters in Taipei facing problems, a YouTuber being under investigation for talking about a beheading and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk 50/50 semiconductor production, the Hualien clean-up operation and the foreign minister's busy few days. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Typhoon Ragasa, United Nations recognition, the line-up for the KMT's leadership election and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the alarming Meinong Grand Canyon, an updated version of a civil defense handbook, a proposal for the creation of a two-round absolute majority system for choosing the next president and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk Ko Wen-je being released on bail after just over a year in detention, President Lai Ching-te's lengthy interview with the Liberty Times, the Cabinet inaugurating the Ministry of Sports and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the final batch of recall votes failing to unseat any KMT lawmakers, Premier Cho Jung-tai announcing a new Cabinet and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

We talk the final batch of recalls targeting KMT lawmakers, a referendum on whether to extend the service of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, approval of an environmental impact assessment report to extend bullet train services to Yilan and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn