Stories about Taiwan (ROC) from July, 2012
Taiwan: Threat of Media Monopoly and Power Abuse
Taiwanese civil society is worried that the acquisition of cable TV services by Want Want China Times would result in political censorship, in particular on mainland China news. A recent staged scandal against a scholar leading the campaign against the acquisition has shown the public the devastating effect of media monopoly and abusive use of media power.
China: ‘Violent’ Pipeline Protest in Qidong
Violence that broke out during a protest against a pipeline construction project in China's Qidong province has split opinion online. The project would channel wastewater from a Japanese owned paper mill into the sea and has raised environmental concerns.
East Asia: Flourishing Illegal Trade in ‘Captive Bred’ Exotic Birds
According to a July 2012 report from the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), many endangered birds that are sold as captive bred have actually been caught in the wild and smuggled out of their original habitats under cruel conditions. An ID registration scheme for captive bred parrots introduced in Taiwan enables clear identification of legally saleable birds to try and combat this problem.
UK: Taiwan Flag Disappears from London Olympics Street Display
Taiwanese are wondering where their country's national flag went, after it disappeared from a display on Regent Street in London. All other national flags are still hanging to welcome representatives to this summer's Games from across the world.
Taiwan: Democracy with a Confucian Face?
Politicians and academics have long debated whether Confucianism is compatible with democratic and civic values. Han Han's recent visit to Taiwan, and his high admiration of culture, freedom and democracy there, have sparked a vigorous debate about how they are related, and what this discussion means for mainland China.
