logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
50m 24s

Taiwan's balancing act

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Former BBC Taiwan correspondent Cindy Sui meets two young Taiwanese voters, Shirley Lin and Dennis, who have very different views about the island, its future and its relationship with Mainland China. While one is a committed peace campaigner and seeks to reduce antagonism between Taiwan and China, the other has signed up to train with a citizen's army, to be ready for Chinese aggression. We follow them in their work, with their friends and hear their differing reflections on an island and an electorate being watched by a global audience.

Up next
Yesterday
Global dancefloor: Saigon
Frank McWeeny heads to the dancefloors of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to uncover what Vietnamese alternative culture looks and sounds like today. With 70% of the country under 35, young people are the driving force behind a different image of Vietnam, far away from poverty and war. ... Show More
36m 35s
Oct 8
The biker gang ‘securing’ deadly Gaza aid sites
We have identified seven members of an anti-Islamic biker gang who oversaw security teams at aid sites for starving Palestinians, run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Correspondent Andy Verity unearths who they are, what they believe and how their ideology may h ... Show More
22m 25s
Oct 7
Bolivia’s Cholitas – From Outcasts to Icons
With their pleated skirts and bowler hats the “cholita” women are a common sight in Bolivia’s administrative capital La Paz. They’re often from indigenous Aymara and Quechua cultures. Until recently cholita was used as a derogatory term to talk about their distinctive traditional ... Show More
27m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Taiwan’s View of the Invasion of Ukraine: A Conversation with Dr. Shen Ming-Shih
In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Shen Ming-Shih joins us to discuss Taiwan’s views on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the potential lessons Taiwan may learn. Dr. Shen begins by exploring what Taiwan’s defense community has learned and the inspiration Taiwan’s pe ... Show More
38m 10s
Sep 2022
Will the US and China go to war over Taiwan?
A recent visit to Taiwan by Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has heightened tensions between the US and China. America has accused China of dangerous military provocations in the region. China has warned the US not to play with fire. Add to all that Russi ... Show More
29m 6s
Aug 2022
Inside Taiwan, in the eye of a geopolitical storm
It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Taiwan. After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to the self-governed island last week, China followed up with several military drills over the Taiwan strait. While those drills have now stopped, tensions remain high b ... Show More
28 m
Nov 2019
Taiwan's Close Watch on Hong Kong Protests: A Conversation with Jude Blanchette and Bonnie Glaser
This episode of the ChinaPower Podcast is a crossover episode with “Hong Kong on the Brink,” hosted by Jude Blanchette. Mr. Blanchette interviews Bonnie Glaser about the protests in Hong Kong and their impact on Taiwan’s own relations with mainland China. Ms. Glaser explains how ... Show More
23m 20s
Jan 2023
Debating the Defense of Taiwan
Chris, Melanie, and Zack discuss whether it is possible, and wise, to try to stave off a conflict with China over Taiwan — possibly for a very long time. A recent article by Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass urges policymakers to find ways to forestall conflict. But is it a mistake t ... Show More
1h 1m
Apr 2023
China and Taiwan: A Torrid Backstory
The posturing between the United States and China has been intensifying in recent weeks — China responded with condemnations and military drills after Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, met the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.Today, Edward Wong, who co ... Show More
25m 4s
Aug 2018
Soft Power Seduction: China Lures Taiwan's Youth
Young Taiwanese entrepreneurs working in a start-up hub are offered attractive sweeteners. But this isn’t in California or even Taipei, it’s on the outskirts of Shanghai. The People’s Republic of China is setting its sights on Taiwan’s youth by encouraging them to relocate to the ... Show More
28m 11s
Jan 2024
Drum Tower: Taiwan goes to the polls
China is watching Taiwan’s next presidential race closely. The results will influence Xi Jinping’s next steps when it comes to resolving the “Taiwan question”.  Ahead of the vote on January 13th, Alice Su, our senior China correspondent, goes to campaign rallies of the 3 parties ... Show More
43m 39s
May 2024
China holds military drills around Taiwan
Taiwan's new president, William Lai, has promised to defend freedom and democracy after China launched military exercises around the island. Beijing is simulating a full-scale attack and has described the exercises as "strong punishment" for what it calls Taiwan's "separatist act ... Show More
26m 52s