As global buyers like Apple and Nike ramp up pressure on their supply chain to decarbonize, everyone in Taiwan seems to want more renewable energy: from chip makers like TSMC to smaller manufacturers of nuts and bolts. But the pace has been slower than expected. In 2023, renewables accounted for a mere 10% of Taiwan's electricity consumption, and will surely fall short of its target of 20% by 2025. Can this be fixed? How badly does Taiwan really want renewable energy, and is anyone prepared...

As global buyers like Apple and Nike ramp up pressure on their supply chain to decarbonize, everyone in Taiwan seems to want more renewable energy: from chip makers like TSMC to smaller manufacturers of nuts and bolts. But the pace has been slower than expected. In 2023, renewables accounted for a mere 10% of Taiwan's electricity consumption, and will surely fall short of its target of 20% by 2025. Can this be fixed? How badly does Taiwan really want renewable energy, and is anyone prepared...

Pundits and policymakers in the US and Europe are increasingly worried that, as China's economy slows down, China’s excess manufacturing capacity might overflow the world with cheap imports, ranging from steel, solar panels, to electric cars. Moreover, what's looming on the horizon are legacy semiconductors. How worried should we be? What can be done to mitigate the impact of Chinese overcapacity? 5:00 - In global trade, we have seen "China shock" before. What's different this time? 7:27...

An ETF allows an investor to invest in a basket of different investments. For some reason, high dividend ETF products have been all the rage in Taiwan in recent years. According to J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Taiwan's ETF asset size saw the highest in the world, growing 23-fold over the past five years. Why are Taiwanese investors so obsessed with high dividend ETFs? What does it tell us about Taiwan’s investment environment? Our money correspondent Lisa Lin helps us unpack this phenomenon....

With an aging population and the world's lowest birth rate, Taiwan is grappling with a demographic imbalance that threatens its economic vitality. Join us as we explore why revamping immigration regulations to attract international talent is crucial now. To delve deep into this issue, we talk with David Chang, who has been championing more inclusion for international citizens in Taiwan. Find out why he thinks Taiwan also needs to ease the regulations for dual citizenship. 12:00 - Why...

On February 24th, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) inaugurated its state-of-the-art facility in Kumamoto, marking a pivotal moment in Japan's semiconductor landscape. This milestone is underscored by several remarkable achievements: JASM secured the highest subsidies ever granted by the Japanese government, completed construction in a record-breaking timeframe of under two years, and is poised to lead Japan in producing cutting-edge semiconductor chips. This venture holds...

In the US, Shein was the most downloaded fashion app in 2022. Influencers showcase "Shein hauls" featuring bags of clothing at unbelievably low prices, like 3-dollar tops or 5-dollar jeans. How can Shein be so cheap? And at what cost? A group of CommonWealth reporters travelled to the shouthern Chinese city of Guanzhou, where thousands of small workshops churn out new styles quickly each week. What they saw and hear blew their mind. 4:04 - Why is Shein so popular among American teens?...

In this episode, we unravel the intricacies of Taiwan's economy, spotlighting the indispensable role played by migrant workers—1 in 6 factory workers in Taiwan falls into this category. As the impending EU human rights due diligence legislation looms, we turn our attention to Taiwan's distinctive practice of allowing monthly fees on migrant workers by brokers. In a shifting landscape where legal compliance is no longer the sole benchmark, we explore the imperative for Taiwanese companies to...

Amidst the turbulence of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong over the past few years, a profound exodus has unfolded, with over 200,000 Hong Kong residents seeking refuge elsewhere. Among them, approximately 20,000 have found solace in Taiwan, embracing it as their sanctuary. Leaving behind a familiar life is undoubtedly challenging, but forging a new path in a foreign land presents its own set of trials. In this enlightening conversation, brought to you in collaboration with TaiwanPlus,...

In two weeks, Taiwan is headed to the polls. The challenges are manifold: from escalating geopolitical tensions and the deepening rivalry between the United States and China, to limited upward social mobility. What truly hangs in the balance, and what far-reaching implications might the impending results hold? Wen-ti Sung, an Atlantic Council fellow and a Australian National University lecturer, joined us for a discussion. 06:32 - What do the three candidates represent? 13:00 - How do...

Scamming has transcended boundaries and borders. In today's episode, we talk with a finance reporter about a growing trend in Taiwan: bankers and engineers are starting to play key roles in sophiscated scams, and they don't even feel like criminals. 05:09 - How much money does Taiwan loss to scamming each year? 07:08 - When a bank teller becomes a fraud group accomplice 11:18 - What makes Taiwan's situation unique? 15:11 - The engineers who don't think they are committing crimes 19:00...

Welcome to a special episode of Taiwanology! In the midst of the UN climate conference, COP28, unfolding in Dubai, our host takes center stage as a dedicated climate reporter. Join us as we explore the intricate world of climate reporting, unravel the challenges of greenwashing, and dissect the elements that define exceptional climate journalism. In this episode, Kwangyin sheds light on Taiwan's crucial role in the global climate conversation. Contrary to popular belief, Taiwan's impact is...

In this episode, we chat with Elaine Huang from CommonWealth about TSMC's ambitious chip manufacturing hub in Phoenix, Arizona. We explore the project's challenges, from construction delays to labor disputes, and address concerns such as potential water shortages raised by a local alfalfa farmer. Our conversation also touches on TSMC's strategies moving forward amidst the labor controversy. Can planning mitigate the climate change risks? And how quickly does TSMC have to adapt to become a...

There's been a shift in the restructuring of the global supply chain, in the wake of a trend to derisk from China for manufactured goods. Vietnam is at the heart of this transformation, becoming a busy hub where companies across the globe flock to. Meanwhile, Vietnam has its own ambitions of making electric cars and scooters. Silva Shih had an exclusive inside look at VinFast's EV assembly line and the founder of Selex Motors. What are their ambitions and how can Taiwan tap this opportunity?...

Whether you love him or hate him, Elon Musk is impossible to ignore. Walter Isaacson should show, because he had spent two years on his side. In this special episode, my colleagues Charo and Yishan talked to Isaacson, the author of the most comprehensive biography on Elon Musk so far. In September, CommonWealth Magazine published the traditional Chinese version of the biography in Taiwan. In the interview, he talked about how Musk thinks about rules, his controversial stance on China and...

Taiwan doesn’t just make semicondictor chips, it also puts together the Nikes, New Balances, Adidas shoes on your feet. Over 70% of Nikes and 90% of New Balance shoes are made by Taiwan companies. Ever sported gear from Puma, New Balance, Mizuno, or On Running? There's a high chance they came from Diamond Group's factories. Each year, they roll out a whopping 35 million pairs of sports shoes. Hear from the two CEOs from the Diamond Group to find out why Taiwan is so good at making shoes. ...

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統一證券廣發200天以上長天期權證，讓投資人在等待行情過程中，有效放緩時間價值流逝的速度，長抱題材也能安心布局！ 搜尋統一長天期權證 https://link.fstry.me/46gdhdk 權證為高槓桿投資商品，有機會在短期間獲得極高報酬或蒙受權利金的損失，購買前請先了解相關風險及詳閱公開說明書 —— 以上為 Firstory DAI 動態廣告 —— The flavors of Taiwan, including mini puffs, bubble tea and dry noodles, are gaining popularity in the US and Europe. In this delicious episode, we talk to the mochi master, Alvin Huang from Royal Family Foods, which is selling 1.5 million mochis a day. Why is this dessert captivating Gen Z in over 50...

While the Taiwan issue is often seen through a lens of cross-strait conflicts, how does it impact Taiwan’s economy and interactions with the world? Are there alternative and more nuanced ways for us to talk about Taiwan? In this episode we talk with George Yin, a research associate at Fairbank Center at Harvard. Amidst growing geopolitical tension, he argues that the importance of diplomacy cannot be overlooked. How can Taiwan be the bridge, rather than the frontline? 07:40 - How has the...

#MeToo has taken Taiwan by storm, following a young woman's bombshell sexual harassment allegation in May. Over 100 victims, both men and women, have come forward to accuse prominent figures in politics, the arts, and academia. Inspired by a popular drama series "Wave Makers", the movement has prompted self-reflect and even a law revamp, but will real changes happen? 01:20 - Filmmaker Lynn telling her own story 18:30 - Why women in Taiwan are not speaking out 28:00 - Why there’s...

Ever since the introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT, many have marveled at its potential to assist human work while others are concerned about potential abuse or being replaced by it. In this episode, Kwangyin talked with Ethan Tu, founder of Taiwan AI Labs, who was once head of a Microsoft team that created the AI assistant Cortana, which later became the team that created ChatGPT. 08:40 - Is artificial intelligence threatening humanity? 12:35 - What’s Taiwan’s unique strength in the...

With a yearly rainfall 2.6 times the global average, it's hard to imagine that water scarcity would be an issue for Taiwan. Over the past five years, Taiwan has no major typhoons, which has led to unprecedented droughts. How can Taiwan ensure a sustainable water supply not only for chipmakers like TSMC but also for the farmers, and its people? 04:52 - Why Taiwan is facing water shortages? 10:15 - The battle for water between rice farmers and chipmakers 13:20 - The "pearl necklace...

The relationship between China and the U.S. is not only at its lowest point in decades, but appears to be trapped in a downward spiral. With Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterating his resolve to reunify Taiwan, many articles and podcasts portrayed Taiwan as a potential flashpoint between US and China, as if Taiwan has no agency, and there is nothing Taiwan could do. Is that true? 7:05 - How Taiwan's democracy evolved over the past 30 years? 12:40 - How are the China-based Taiwanese...

At the CommonWealth semiconductor forum March 16, the 91-year-old TSMC founder Morris Chang reiterated the importance of Taiwan as a major force in semiconductor manufacturing, and stressed that the growing trend of diversification of chip making would result in higher costs. Chris Miller, Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University, gave a brief speech on how TSMC became the most important chipmaker in the world, followed by an hour-long dialogue with Chang, moderated...