Twenty years ago, live stand-up comedy was a rarity in Taiwan. Now, thanks to the efforts of a committed core of performers, things have taken off – though not necessarily in a direction everyone had anticipated. When I met Brian Tseng more than five years ago at a comedy event in Taipei, he was a…
The government, together with large corporations, has launched initiatives to help small and medium-sized enterprises address the challenges of digital transformation, stringent ESG requirements, and intergenerational management systems. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent 99% of all enterprises in Taiwan, have been cited as a linchpin to the country’s rapid post-war development. Yet SMEs…
In a system that relies on “self-regulation,” Taiwan banks are hesitant to lend their services to foreign nationals. What’s in a name? When it comes to banking in Taiwan, quite a lot – especially if you’re a foreigner. For Anthony van Dyck, a long-term Canadian resident of Taiwan, an unwieldy name has proved a perennial…
Huaxin Street, also known as “Little Burma,” is home to a diverse group of Burmese Chinese restaurant owners, each with a fascinating backstory. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAMES BARON On most afternoons, Henry Wong and friends sit outside A-Mui’s Noodle Shop (阿妹緬甸小吃, 41 Huaxin St.) in Little Burma, sipping tea from yellow cups. On cooler…
The invasion of Ukraine, a global supplier of noble gases needed for semiconductor production, has raised concerns about supply chain disruptions. The impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on supply chains is hitting European countries the hardest, threatening to bring a winter of shortages and high energy prices. But the rest of the world…
Taiwan firms, known for their long work hours and lack of separation between work and personal life, are gradually beginning to prioritize employees’ mental health. Taiwan routinely finds itself near the top of global rankings for the length of working hours. A 2020 survey of 40 countries by Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) put Taiwan…
Upsurge in demand for products from the Baltic state came on the back of warming diplomatic relations. However, considerable obstacles to agri-food imports remain. What does Lithuania mean to Taiwan? Prior to 2021, perhaps only the presence of several of the country’s basketball players in the NBA. However, following donation in July and October last…
