Taiwan

Attendees at the 228 Memorial eat squid porridge, the traditional meal eaten every year at the Lee family to remember Lee Ruei-Han.

‘Kneel and apologize!’: 76 years after island-wide massacre, Taiwan continues to commemorate — and debate — the tragedy

On Feb. 28, 1947, the Chinese Nationalist Party began killing thousands of people across the island of Taiwan, in a massacre that lasted for months. Today, Taiwan continues to debates the circumstances of that tragedy — and the legacy of Chiang Kai-Shek.

‘Kneel and apologize!’: 76 years after island-wide massacre, Taiwan continues to commemorate — and debate — the tragedy
Many Taipei residents visit the city's historic Dihua Street to buy goods for the Lunar New Year.

Taiwan and China celebrate Lunar New Year amid vastly different COVID levels

Taiwan and China celebrate Lunar New Year amid vastly different COVID levels
soldiers running

Taiwanese young people have mixed feelings about increased military service 

Taiwanese young people have mixed feelings about increased military service 
woman speaking to crowd

'We all want democracy': Taiwanese stand in solidarity with Chinese 'white paper protests'

'We all want democracy': Taiwanese stand in solidarity with Chinese 'white paper protests'
About 120,000 people took part in Pride celebrations in Taipei on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Taiwan celebrates LGBTQ pride as activists push for further progress

Taiwan celebrates LGBTQ pride as activists push for further progress
man waiting at airport

Taiwan reopens its borders after years of COVID controls

On Oct. 13, Taiwan finally reopened to tourists after 2 1/2 years of relative isolation. The country had focused border restrictions to keep COVID-19 cases and death rates low. Travelers and tourism business owners say they’re thankful that their main source of revenue is returning.

Taiwan reopens its borders after years of COVID controls
People take photos with Taiwan national flags during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

Taiwan celebrates National Day amid heightened tensions with China

Underlying the festivities are increased concerns about Taiwan’s relationship with China as well as changes in its own national identity.

Taiwan celebrates National Day amid heightened tensions with China
Namewee is a Malaysian Chinese singer-songwriter and filmmaker whose controversial songs go viral on Youtube.

'It’s controversial because it's important,' Malaysian Chinese pop artist says of his censored music

Namewee is a singer-songwriter and filmmaker who is known for speaking his mind and composing songs that go viral on YouTube. He tells The World's Rebecca Kanthor why promoting his music is important.

'It’s controversial because it's important,' Malaysian Chinese pop artist says of his censored music
Devotees carry a statue of the goddess Mazu in a procession on Meizhou Island, China.

‘She’s in our hearts’: Devotees from China and Taiwan come together to celebrate the goddess Mazu

The Daoist goddess Mazu is revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. China supports Mazu worship as a way to strengthen cross-strait, political and economic relations. 

‘She’s in our hearts’: Devotees from China and Taiwan come together to celebrate the goddess Mazu
Taiwan-born artist Wen-hao Tien (left) started inviting people from around the world to teach her songs from their homelands as part her exhibit on immigration experiences at an art center in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Learning through singing: This artist wants you to teach her a song in your native language

Is it easier to sing than speak in a foreign language? Taiwan-born artist Wen-hao Tien has put that question to the test as part of a new exhibit about the immigrant experience in Boston, Massachusetts.

Learning through singing: This artist wants you to teach her a song in your native language
A police officer is shown bending down to walk under yellow caution tape outside of a set of glass doors.

Bow-and-arrow suspect arrested in attack that killed 5 in Norway

Top of The World: Police in Norway on Thursday have arrested and charged a 37-year-old Danish man suspected of a bow-and-arrow attack that killed five people. And, at least six people were left dead on Thursday in Beirut after armed clashes broke out during a protest over a judge conducting a probe of last year’s devastating blast in the city’s port. Also, a fire in a 13-story building that raged out of control for hours overnight in the city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan has left 46 people dead.

Bow-and-arrow suspect arrested in attack that killed 5 in Norway
Visitors look at the Chinese military's KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province

Why China’s air force is provoking Taiwan

China's military flies a record 149 flights over international airspace, prompting Taiwanese defense forces to scramble in response. Also, Australia announces it will stop sending asylum-seekers for processing to Papua New Guinea by the end of the year. And, Germany agrees to extend compensation to thousands of Holocaust survivors.

Why China’s air force is provoking Taiwan
A military band rehearses for a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, July 1, 2021. Chinese fighter jets, anti-submarine aircraft and combat ships conducted assault drill

Taiwan spokeswoman to China: Quit comparing us to Afghanistan

Whether the United States would go to war to defend Taiwan is an open question. The World’s Patrick Winn spoke with Kolas Yotaka, a former Taiwanese legislator, now a spokeswoman for the Taiwan presidential office. 

Taiwan spokeswoman to China: Quit comparing us to Afghanistan
A Taiwanese woman wearing a mask and a white hat holds her passport and airline tickets before she boards a plane.

Will the Taiwan-Palau ‘travel bubble’ serve as a new model for international travel? 

Taiwan is also considering opening bubbles with Singapore, Vietnam and other countries. 

Will the Taiwan-Palau ‘travel bubble’ serve as a new model for international travel? 
A large military vessel is shown in the distnace amid foggy weather conditions.

China’s military exercises near Taiwan raise concerns in the West

Top of The World: The American military is warning that China could be accelerating its timetable for capturing control of Taiwan. And, the Biden administration is set to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Palestinians. Also, rioting in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast continued for a fourth consecutive night on Wednesday

China’s military exercises near Taiwan raise concerns in the West