Taiwan independence

Updates to a State Department factsheet on Taiwan could indicate a tactical adjustment or a strategic shift. 

China has issued warnings about legal charges against Taiwanese independence activists and politicians. Yang Chih-yuan became the first to actually be convicted. 

The warning came amid signs that China might widen the scope of its legal pressure to include ordinary Taiwanese citizens.

Divergent interpretations of the status quo can coexist during peacetime. But with tensions rising, it's getting tricky to keep the balance.

Taiwan’s election season will likely stabilize the cross-strait situation, but all bets are off when the new administration comes into office.

The U.S. – along with Taiwanese people – draws the important distinction between de jure Taiwanese independence and the existing status quo of Taiwanese autonomy and self-governance. 

William Lai faces questions over his perceived support for Taiwan independence. But basic political realities will push any Taiwanese leader to refrain from making risky moves.

Li Yanhe, also known as Fucha, is the latest in a string of Taiwanese nationals to disappear in China, only to be confirmed as arrested months later.

William Lai is already positioning the race as a referendum on China policy, while the KMT (and Beijing) are trying to emphasize economic issues.

The shooter, who killed one and injured five at a Taiwanese church, was reportedly part of a pro-unification group.

How should we understand the “Double Tenth Day” addresses made by the two leaders?

A single leader cannot make Taiwan independent or unify it with the People Republic of China. Even trying either course would be political suicide.

The latest Taiwan National Security Survey contains both good and bad news for cross-strait stability.

This is not to say that taking a hard line on China would have been popular within the United States, politically possible, or even a good idea. But what if?

Lee, the first native of Taiwan to hold the presidency, became famous for ushering in direct elections – and later for his pro-independence stance.

Calling Tsai Ing-wen “pro-independence” isn’t just lazy; it’s wrong.

The Chinese public’s witch-hunt for “pro-independence” Taiwanese stars dims the prospects of peaceful unification with Taiwan.

Now that Tsai Ing-wen has vanquished her primary challenger, she must get her party behind her in Taiwan’s general election.

Taiwan’s 2020 presidential candidates hint at a massive gravity shift toward China in both the KMT and DPP.

The risks for Taiwan and the U.S. far outweigh the benefits.

The IOC warned against the upcoming referendum, which has sparked Beijing's wrath and galvanized supporters of independence.

This goes beyond dislike for the DPP – it’s a long-term strategy from Beijing.

An interview with New Bloom co-founder and student activist Brian Hioe, 4 years after the Sunflower Movement.

Even if the blacklist doesn't currently exist, China's habit of extraterritorial abductions makes it all too plausible.