After two years of COVID clamp-down, pandemic control relaxations mean that Taiwan’s limbs are gradually regaining circulation. A summary of programs and people impacting AmCham Taiwan over the summer is by now in order. June saw the rollout of the so-called 3+4 home isolation plan as a gesture of re-engagement, supplemented by July’s elimination of…
AmCham Taiwan extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Japan following the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in Nara last month. Abe was a longtime friend and fervent supporter of Taiwan and spared no effort in advancing Japan’s relations with Taiwan, both during his time in power and after…
“The industry of fun” – travel and tourism – is given its own annual issue of TOPICS. I look forward to the articles and images each July but am disappointed to see the sector largely neglected by Taiwan. Taiwan is no “tourism country,” we hear. The sector is not among the “Six Core Strategic Industries,”…
President Biden’s declaration during his trip to Asia last month that the United States would defend Taiwan has put the nature of the U.S. relationship with Taiwan back at the center of American foreign policy concerns. This development has fueled further discussion about how, apart from military involvement, the United States can best assist Taiwan….
“[The United States acting] alone cannot reach the essential goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We have to work together.” – AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk in April 22 remarks at the American Innovation Center. Notable in our era of profound polarization, partnership was the refrain across Taiwan and the globe on Earth Day 2022….
Given an exponential rise in locally transmitted COVID-19 case numbers (the vast majority of which have been mild or asymptomatic), Taiwan’s leaders have quickly begun working to develop a policy of “coexisting with the virus.” As during the initial outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, some fumbles have occurred as that policy coalesces, but once…
The crisis in Ukraine has sparked discussions among policymakers in Taiwan on how to enhance the island’s defense capabilities, including through a recently intensified reservist training program and proposals to lengthen the conscription period. A key takeaway for many is that training, motivation, leadership, mobility, and flexibility are just as much key factors in defending…
Only the Taipei Dome could hold all members and readers interested in attending the Hsieh Nien Fan, so here’s a recap of an eventful March 30 evening for those of you we missed. The Thanks: To Taiwan and Taipei City, for providing safe, “uniquely normal” conditions that allowed almost 550 vaccinated and masked people to…
In a recent online panel hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and joined by AmCham Taiwan President Andrew Wylegala, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Barbara Weisel put Taiwan’s chances of concluding a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the U.S. at “zero,” at least in the near term. Weisel noted that the appetite in…
At the end of February, as Taiwan observed its annual Peace Memorial Day and much of the world was reeling from the crisis in Ukraine, it cheered me to learn that a new NGO is working to help minimize global shocks. The Reform for Resilience (R4R) Commission was launched globally two years ago to tackle…
