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.
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.
Underlying the festivities are increased concerns about Taiwan’s relationship with China as well as changes in its own national identity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 is also considering opening bubbles with Singapore, Vietnam and other countries.
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