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Frédéric Laplanche first came to Taiwan in 1995 as a graduate student. This year, he returned as the new director of the French Office in Taipei. In this interview, he emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships. Taiwan's chipmakers depend on French industrial gases, ultrapure water and silicon substrates, while Foxconn and ProLogium invest in France. What does a trusted partnership look like in practice? The answer involves a French chip designer, TSMC and a Statue of Liberty exhibition in Paris. Episode highlights: 00:10 A "son-in-law of Taiwan" returns, 30 years on 09:17 Why Taiwan matters more to France now 15:24 Sovereignty through an ecosystem of trust 19:54 Why Taiwan investment is flowing into France 26:13 Why French suppliers and startups came to Semicon 31:37 People-to-people ties and priorities ahead Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Frédéric Laplanche, Director of French Office in Taipei Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Why has China Coast Guard made it a routine to patrol the east of Taiwan? Why has retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell called this a quarantine? CommonWealth's cover story details the reporting behind "Broken Chain," built on 1.8 billion vessel data points. Our reporters recount our exclusive interview with National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu. This episode traces a shared playbook across the first island chain, and why normalization may be the greatest danger. Episode highlights: 00:00 The quarantine warning behind Broken Chain 03:26 Su'ao fishermen grown numb to Chinese patrols 10:09 Mapping 1.8 billion vessel data points 14:38 Coast Guard SOPs and a Philippine warning 17:33 Exclusive interview with NSC SecGen 21:34 Indo-Pacific stakes, CSIS partnership, what's next Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Steven Yeo, Data & Graphics engineer; Hazel Hsu, Reporter Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4930 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected]留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cledx9shs004801v3cmkogc7e/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

Taiwan's biggest semiconductor trade show just got more international. This year, Semicon Taiwan marks its 30th anniversary with a record 18 national pavilions, from the US to Mexico and Finland. Veteran tech journalist Judy Lin explains why so many countries now want proximity to Taiwan's chip ecosystem. Plus: whether AI chip demand is real or a bubble. Episode highlights: 00:30 Why watch Taipei for the AI race 01:50 Judy's path from Reuters markets desk, and what Semicon is 06:33 A record 18 pavilions: Catalonia, Chihuahua, Finland, and Dresden's ripple effect 11:55 Why countries want in: complementary tech, reversal of roles, and China's absence 17:11 The legacy-chip risk, TSMC's dominance, and path dependency 24:55 Chip bubble fear and why everyone should care about Semicon Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Judy Lin, founder of TechSoda Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

TSMC in Dresden. Foxconn in Bordeaux. A German chemicals giant in Kaohsiung. EU-Taiwan industrial ties are deepening fast, and it's mutual: EU states have invested more in Taiwan than the US and Japan combined. EETO head Lutz Güllner explains what Chips Act 2.0 changes, where Taiwan fits into Europe's industrial strategy beyond chips, and how Taiwan's civil society is countering foreign information manipulation. Episode highlights: 07:23 How EU-Taiwan relations reached their most active point yet 09:09 The EU Council's landmark Taiwan statement 17:01 The Industrial Accelerator Act and the EU Chips Act 2.0 24:15 FIMI: naming foreign information manipulation and interference 32:44 Why understanding Taiwanese politics matters for a diplomat Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Lutz Güllner, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Canada's top trade envoy in Taipei, Marie-Louise Hannan, reflects on four decades of Canada-Taiwan ties, growing LNG and offshore wind cooperation, and why Prime Minister Mark Carney's case for middle-power democracies resonates with Taiwan's own search for agency in a fractured world. Episode highlights: 00:00 Launching a new diplomat interview series 02:44 Arriving in China in 1989, before the Tiananmen incident 09:31 Dr. Mackay and the roots of Canada-Taiwan ties 12:26 Taiwan as a top Indo-Pacific trade partner 15:05 Energy dependence and the case for Canadian LNG 20:37 Inside Canada's first ever Indo-Pacific Strategy 26:59 Carney's Davos speech and middle-power democracies 31:00 Life in Taipei: food, family, and safety Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor, CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Marie-Louise Hannan, Executive Director of Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Is the AI boom a bubble? AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su joins Commonwealth Magazine to share why the AI revolution is just getting started, and why Taiwan remains the center of this universe. Find out why she believes open ecosystems and "AI everywhere" are reshaping our future. Episode highlights: 01:45 What's behind AMD's $10B investment in Taiwan and 2nm partnership with TSMC? 06:12 Why is Taiwan the only place that can pull off this level of tech manufacturing? 11:00 "Coopetition": How can supply chain rivals stay friendly with each other? 13:00 Who actually makes money in AI? 22:00 What is "Physical AI" and why is it the next technological wave? 27:00 Open vs. Closed: Which tech ecosystem will grow the fastest? 32:00 – Are we in an AI bubble? Host: Yishan Chen, Editor-in-Chief of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Lisa Su, CEO of AMD Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4791 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

For decades, Taiwan has been known as the “Bicycle Kingdom.” But it is now under mounting pressure. From the rapid rise of China’s e-bike giants to a growing push in Europe to reshore manufacturing, Taiwan’s bike industry is entering a period of change. How can it navigate this new landscape? Episode highlights: 04:20 How Taiwan became the “Bicycle Kingdom” 07:20 Why China is not the only challenge facing Taiwan’s bike industry 12:30 Bridging traditional manufacturing with ICT capabilities 21:35 How Taiwan should respond to Europe’s reshoring push 25:10 Why more Taiwanese companies are becoming open to change 27:05 Adapting to the emerging e-bike ecosystem 33:20 Why Anchor Global is launching an Industry Lab with Walmart as the pilot case Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Elisa Chiu, founder of Anchor Global Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4684 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Is artificial intelligence a threat to human agency, or an opportunity for civic innovation? 2025 Right Livelihood Laureate and Taiwan Cyber Ambassador Audrey Tang discusses the shift from algorithms to symbiotic "local Kami" AI. Find out why she has no fear for AI agents and OpenClaw. It’s a masterclass in staying human in a world of synthetic intimacy, with one life hack that will help you sleep better.[05:46] How Audrey "translated" the Taiwan model to be adopted in California[09:40] How her book inspired Anno to run for Tokyo Governor[12:05] What do "Civic AI" and "6 Pack of Care" have to do with AI anxiety?[14:20] How Civic AI principles played out in Taiwan's combat on fraud[20:50] Why conflict is not a bug but a power source[24:15] When AI agents do all the jobs, what's left for humans?Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth MagazineGuest: Audrey Tang, Taiwan Cyber AmbassadorProducers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more on Audrey’s take on AI: https://civic.ai/＊Read more on Audrey’s take on AI: https://civic.ai/openclaw/＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

As China becomes increasingly opaque, how can Taiwan maintain a clear-eyed perspective? We are joined by Professor Tao to dissect the China Monitoring Report by Thinking Taiwan Foundation. They move past the headlines to analyze 50 indicators across economy, finance, and society, revealing a dual-speed reality and rising systemic social unrest. [03:00] Thinking Taiwan 2.0: Former President Tsai Ing-wen’s platform for policy analysis [05:53] The 50-Indicator Framework [16:16] Dual-Speed Economy: Record exports vs. trapped savings [20:30] How China’s low consumption triggers global de-industrialization [22:05] Record-low birth rates and the rise of "systemic unfairness" grievances [30:50] Why Xi prioritizes military/tech over social welfare stimulus Host: Kwangyin Liu, Deputy Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Yifen Tao, Associate Professor of National Taiwan University Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Is Taiwan’s biggest ally still reliable? For years, the U.S. and Taiwan were "best friends" because of democracy. But now, the conversation has changed to "protection fees" and business deals. This shift is creating a wave of U.S. skepticism across the island. We look at why people in Taiwan feel anxious and what happens to Taiwan’s security when friendship becomes a transaction. [00:34] Why Taiwan’s mood is a global warning sign. [01:43] The "might makes right" dynamic at Davos. [07:33] The shift from "shared values" to "protection fees." [11:43] Understanding the gap between anxiety and trust. [18:24] Is moving chip capacity to the U.S. a dangerous move? [34:47] The U.S. warning: Pay more to be "worth defending." Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: William Yang, Senior Analyst of the International Crisis Group Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

There is historic shift in Europe-Taiwan ties. From Ukraine war to the "Trump factor," we examine why Brussels is looking past old constraints of its One China policy. A new paper asks if Taiwan can turn symbolic support into economic substance Europe now needs for resilience. 01:50 - The explosion in Taiwan-EU interactions 04:00 - How global instability sobered up EU policy toward Taiwan 17:20 - Mapping 30 nations' attitudes 23:30 - Why EU leaders are vocal about Taiwan 28:10 - The shift from symbolism to economic security 34:10 - Why Taiwan must move from a subject of debate to an active partner Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Visiting Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of Central European Institute of Asian Studies Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read more: https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4394 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

COP30 wrapped in Belém after two weeks, and the final deal landed with a weak punch. No fossil-fuel phaseout, no major breakthrough. So what does this outcome mean? And with Taiwan hosting an unprecedented pavilion in the Green Zone, what role is Taiwan carving out in global climate politics? In this episode, I speak with climate scientist Rachel Cleetus and NGO worker Jack Huang to break it down. 3:08 — Is clean energy development on track for 1.5°C? 8:10 — Why doesn’t Taiwan have a country pavilion? 11:38 — How did Taiwan secure a presence in the Green Zone? 15:10 — Why should Taiwan care about COP at all? 22:15 — Why the climate crisis isn’t a zero-sum game Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Rachel Cleetus, Union of Concerned Scientists and Jack Huang, Project Coordinator of United Nations OICT Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read our COP30 coverage： https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4446 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

In September, U.S. Customs hit Taiwan's Giant with a Withhold Release Order—the first ever against a Taiwanese company—blocking its bikes from entering the U.S. over alleged forced labor. The move puts over US$1 billion in exports at risk and exposes gaps between Taiwan’s labor laws and global standards. What must Taiwan do to rebuild trust in its supply chains? 3:30 – Why is the broker system a high-risk factor for forced labor? 6:28 – What steps can Giant take to resume U.S. exports? 10:55 – Why is there a gap between Taiwan’s labor laws and global standards? 12:50 – What actions should Taiwanese companies take to improve? 20:50 – Story of an employer who covers recruitment fees for her worker. Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: CC Wu, trade compliance consultant of PwC Taiwan Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read about Taiwan's migrant workers：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=3597 ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

As the world marks two years since the October 7 conflict, peace feels more distant than ever. Israeli peace educator Roi Silberberg and Palestinian scholar Hazem Almassry share deeply personal stories—from childhood in Gaza to life in a shared Jewish-Arab village. They reflect on Gaza’s devastation, Israel’s militarized “normal,” and Taiwan’s own security, arguing that peace begins not with agreements, but with dialogue. 03:00 — Hazem’s childhood in Gaza and path to Taiwan 09:50 — Roi’s journey into peace education 20:15 — Family under siege: Hazem's life and loss in Gaza 30:56 — The fellows' Kinmen visit and Taiwan’s “front line” identity 35:00 — The power in the choice of word "genocide" Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guests: Hazem Almassry, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Academia Sinica Roi Silberberg, Director of School for Peace     Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Read about Taiwan： https://english.cw.com.tw  ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting

Taiwan is at an energy crossroads. After decades of debate, a recent referendum revealed that over 70% favor restarting its last nuclear power plant. What does this shift mean for Taiwan’s energy security? We sit down with Danny Chang, former chairman of Star Buck Power Corp, to unpack Taiwan’s nuclear dilemma and why the island is rethinking its position on nuclear power. 0:00 – How Taiwan’s latest referendum sparks debate on nuclear power 6:00 – Why Taiwan’s anti-nuclear stance is rooted in history 10:30 – Shifting opinions: costs, climate change, and rising power demand 17:04 – Japan and the U.S. show how nuclear comebacks happen 24:27 – Can renewables meet Taiwan’s ambitious energy goals? Host: Kwangyin Liu, Senior Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine Guest: Kuor hsin Chang, former Chairman of Star Buck Power     Producers: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang ＊Tracking Taiwan's nuclear debates：https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4287  ＊Share your thoughts：[email protected] Powered by Firstory Hosting