Global Voices Online » David Reid

Taiwan: Movie used to mend Taiwan-Japan relations

David Reid — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:15:29 +0000

“Hatta Yoichi” (八田與一) is a Japanese animated film about a Japanese engineer who was responsible for the development of irrigation systems in southern Taiwan. Sponge Bear comments on an article discussing how Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou has used the release of the movie to improve relations between Taiwan and Japan.

Taiwan: Foreigners face discrimination from banks

David Reid — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:27:53 +0000

Patrick Cowsill writes about the difficulties foreigners face in getting a credit card in Taiwan.

Taiwan: Issues of identity

David Reid — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:31:46 +0000

Catherine at shu flies responds to an e-mail questioning how she identifies herself. Michella at Alive and Kicking! who was also a subject of the e-mail describes her own multi-cultural background. Catherine also follows up with a post on why she calls herself a Taiwanese-American.

Taiwan: LGBT Pride on parade

David Reid — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:53:10 +0000

The annual Taiwan LGBT Pride event was held in Taipei on Saturday with an estimated crowd of 25,000 people. Poagao writes about joining the parade for the first time. shuflies has a report and photos. The event's official photographers also have photos at flickr.

Taiwan: Ethics of gift giving

David Reid — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:24:39 +0000

Michella discusses the ethical issues for journalists offered gifts. She finds it difficult to understand some of the gift and money giving traditions in Taiwan.

Taiwan: Future of the Taiwanese language

David Reid — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:28:35 +0000

Stocks and Politics discusses the fate of the Hoklo Taiwanese language and expresses concern about its decline. There are also some comparisons with the use of Cantonese.

Taiwan: Baseball past and present

David Reid — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:19:14 +0000

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Taiwan. The View from Taiwan analyses a paper on the history of baseball in Taiwan. Sponge Bear reports on watching a professional league game in Taichung.

Taiwan: Bike culture is growing

David Reid — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:56:02 +0000

Bike Hugger reports on the growing bike culture in Taiwan and comments that the growth doesn't seem to include bicycle commuters.

Taiwan: Kaohsiung set to screen film amidst controversy

David Reid — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:08:17 +0000

The Kaohsiung Film Festival came under pressure from China over its decision to screen The Ten Conditions of Love, a documentary about exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer. As a result the Kaohsiung City Government decided to screen the documentary in advance of the film festival. Echo Taiwan criticises the Kaohsiung City Government for bowing to Chinese pressure. Guts United says that even the decision to put forward the screening harms Taiwan's freedom of speech (zh).

Taiwan: Pheasant-tailed Jacana struggles for survival

David Reid — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:22:52 +0000

Typhoon Morakot damaged a reserve for the Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) in Tainan County. Stop Hushan Dam! writes about the challenges the birds face to survive.

Thailand: Amnesty criticised on lese majeste issue

David Reid — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:52:18 +0000

The issue of lese majeste is again in the news following the 18 year prison sentence given to Daranee Chanchoengsilpakul. International human rights groups including Amnesty International have come under criticism for their failure to take sufficient action in lese majeste cases. Political Prisoners in Thailand says that Amnesty should be ashamed of its position on the issue. Bangkok Pundit also criticises Amnesty's response.

Taiwan: Deaflympics open in Taipei

David Reid — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:55:42 +0000

The Deaflympics began with the opening ceremony in Taipei on Saturday night and the sporting events began on Sunday. Bartek reports on a volleyball match. Brian Webb reports on the friendly vibe at the main stadium.

Japan and Taiwan: Comparing the LDP and KMT

David Reid — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:48:34 +0000

The election in Japan over the weekend brought an end to more than 50 years of almost continuous rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The KMT also continuously held power in Taiwan for a similar period of time. Sponge Bear makes some comparisons between the LDP in Japan and the KMT in Taiwan.

Taiwan: Post-typhoon reconstruction attracts criticism

David Reid — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:37:00 +0000

After Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan earlier this month claiming hundreds of lives and making thousands homeless, the government is pushing forward a recovery plan. Michael Turton writes that the Ma government's post-typhoon reconstruction plan is a shock doctrine.

Taiwan: Criticisms of government response to floods

David Reid — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:18:36 +0000

Following the terrible flooding from Typhoon Morakot there has been widespread criticisms of the Central Government for its slow response. Claudia Jean has written two posts detailing some of the failures of the Central Government: Part 1 and Part 2. The View from Taiwan looks at criticism of President Ma in the international media.