logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
43m 39s

Drum Tower: Taiwan goes to the polls

The Economist
About this episode

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 in the race. We meet voters, young and old, who each have a different idea of who should win and why. Together with David Rennie, our Beijing bureau chief, they ask: is the election of Taiwan’s next President really a choice between war or peace, as some candidates are saying?


If you’re interested in Taiwan, listen to our four-part series on the future of the island. 


1. What does Taiwan want?

2. How strong is Taiwan’s silicon shield?

3. Is Taiwan ready for war?

4. Could China take over Taiwan without force?


Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
That warm buzzy feeling: malaria and climate change
As temperatures climb, mosquitoes will migrate to places where natural resistance to malaria is lower. More and more severe natural disasters will make for more breeding grounds. How to stop a deadly disease getting deadlier? In China’s cut-throat food-delivery war, absolutely no ... Show More
24m 43s
Aug 22
Rule and divide: opposition grows in Syria
Less than nine months after Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled, the honeymoon is over. How is the new regime responding to rising dissent? Introducing Britain’s revolutionary retirees: why pensioners increasingly dominate political protest. And celebrating the life of o ... Show More
23m 38s
Aug 21
Stake and chips: will America take 10% of Intel?
Intel was once synonymous with chip-making, but in recent years it has fallen behind. Now the Trump administration may become its biggest shareholder. A political assassination in Colombia raises fears about a return to violence. And what an annual snail race tells us about rural ... Show More
21m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Taiwan Election Results and Implications for Beijing
Kharis Templeman, research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, returns to ChinaTalk to break down the recent Taiwan elections, held on January 13. We discuss: The lack of surprises in the election results, the subdued vibes during the campaign, and contrasts between local pe ... Show More
46m 31s
Jan 2024
Taiwan après les élections : la guerre ? Avec Valérie Niquet | Entretiens géopo
Les élections présidentielles - et législatives - taiwanaises se sont tenues le 13 janvier 2024 dernier. Elles ont été marquées par la victoire de Lai Ching-te (également connu sous le nom de William Lai), ancien vice-président de la République de Chine et candidat du parti démoc ... Show More
25m 27s
Jan 2024
Taiwán: votar para que nada cambie
Taiwán, esa isla autogobernada que para China es parte de su territorio, acaba de celebrar elecciones. Eran importantes porque es uno de los puntos con más tensión del planeta, el centro del pulso entre Pekín y Washington. Después de una campaña durísima, llena de bulos, la mayor ... Show More
17m 30s
Sep 2023
How Taiwan Is Learning From Ukraine
Taiwan has long lived under the shadow of China’s desire to take over its territory. And as China’s economy and military have grown, so too has the threat of a potential invasion. What is Taipei’s strategy for defense and security, and how is it marshaling support from other coun ... Show More
45m 26s
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
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
Jul 2023
PLA Invasion: Is Taiwan's Military Ready?
Paul Huang, Taiwan military expert and research fellow at the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, returns to ChinaTalk! Today he gives us an update on Taiwan’s military readiness, the PLA’s expansion, and whether Xi Jinping would really send it.If you missed his episode back in 202 ... Show More
49m 33s
May 2022
Is the U.S. Changing Its Stance on Taiwan?
For decades, the U.S. has walked a careful line when it comes to Taiwan — vowing to protect the island from China, without saying exactly how far it would go to do that.On Monday, that appeared to change.Guest: David E. Sanger, a White House and national security correspondent fo ... Show More
23m 25s
Jan 2024
Taiwan Decides…For the Last Time?
This weekend, Taiwan will hold the only free and fair elections in the Chinese-speaking world. Whoever wins will lead in a pivotal time—and their term will cover the period during which President Xi Jinping has promised China will annex what it considers a breakaway territory, ev ... Show More
51m 51s
Jan 2024
Taiwan defies China in election
Taiwan’s presidential election shows that voters are willing to defy China, the 2024 US presidential election kicks off today, and American banks say that American consumers are in good shape.  Mentioned in this podcast:What Taiwanese voters’ defiance means for ChinaBanks say US ... Show More
11m 3s