Latest posts by I-fan Lin
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.
Mongolia: Documenting Wild Snow Leopard Cubs
Snow leopards are rare and very elusive. A team of scientists from the Snow Leopard Trust has been conducting a long term study on the big cats and recently shared some of their observations.
Taiwan: Flying Fish Season on Orchid Island
Every spring, when the flying fish are carried to Taiwan by the Kuroshio Current, Tao fishermen from Orchid Island are waiting for them. In fact, Tao culture is very much connected with the flying fish season.
Taiwan: When News is Sold to the Chinese Government
In recent years, more and more Taiwanese media workers have been worried that press freedom has been eroding. In addition to the "embedded marketing" practice which cloaks advertising as news, the mainland China government has extended influence on the Taiwan public sphere through news industry acquisitions.
Taiwan: Could the Future Be Nuclear-Free?
Inspired by the shutting down of all nuclear power plants in Japan since May 5, 2012, for thorough security checks, the people of Taiwan have started discussing the possibility of moving towards a nuclear-free Taiwan.
Taiwan: Indigenous Tao People's 30 Year Nuclear ‘Nightmare’
After Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident last year, more and more Taiwanese have started to become aware of the problems caused by nuclear power plants. One of the most serious issues is nuclear waste on Orchid Island, where the Tao people have lived for generations.
Taiwan: A Family's Forced Eviction Casts Shadow on Urban Renewal Act
The outraging eviction of Wang family executed by Taipei City government showed the public how fragile citizens' private rights is in front of the urban renewal projects. More and more public opinions urged for the revision of the current Urban Renewal Act.
Taiwan: Protect Homeowners Against Forced Demolition
About 400 people gathered to protect one Taipei family against eviction by the police. A controversial urban renewal project has made the Wang's house part of the government sanctioned renewal zone, which allows the government to forcibly expel citizens from their own house when 75% of their neighbors agree to sell their land to the developer.
Taiwan: Say No to Ractopamine Tainted American Meat
Ractopamine, a leanness-enhancing feed additive, is banned in Taiwan and more than 150 other countries. However, under pressure from the US government, the newly elected Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is now considering lifting the ban.
Taiwan: 2012 Election Sets Example for Mainland Chinese Democratization
On January 14, Taiwan held its presidential and legislative election. In the wake of the polls, netizens wonder if Taiwan can set an example for the future democratization in mainland China. I-fan Lin reports.
Taiwan: Nuclear Waste on Orchid Island
In 1974, the Taiwan Atomic Energy Council decided to store nuclear waste on Taiwan's Orchid Island, where the indigenous Tao people have lived for generations. More than twenty years have passed, the radioactive waste barrels have eroded with rust and it seems that no one is ready to take care of the problem.
Taiwan: Anti-Nuclear Protesters’ Lonely Quest
A fourth nuclear power plant is currently under construction in Taiwan, in Gongliao town, just 40 km away from the capital Taipei. In 1988, eight years after the Taiwan Power Company first decided to build the plant, locals in Gongliao held the first meeting of what became their anti-nuclear organization. In...
Taiwan: Call for Energy Policy Review
The ongoing Fukushima nuclear power plant incident in Japan has alerted people in Taiwan about the safety of nuclear power plants in their own country. In order to transform current concern into long term government policy, many netizens are demanding the Taiwanese government conduct a comprehensive review on the country's energy and industrial policy.
Taiwan: The Reassurance of Nuclear Safety is Not Convincing
Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, there are calls now for a review of Taiwan’s nuclear energy policy, particularly as a fourth nuclear power plant is now under construction.
Taiwan: Country's Nuclear Power Plants Are High Risk
The nuclear power plants in Taiwan are not immune to the force that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The panic escalates when the fourth nuclear power plant was ordered to be rush into operation in 2011.
Taiwan: The Allure of Night Markets
After sunset in Taiwan, when the stars start to twinkle, night markets are crowded with people from all walks of life. To Taiwanese, night markets are more than mere eating places, and now the culture of the night market has become a distinctive and precious touristic experience for foreigners visiting Taiwan.
Taiwan: Let’s go poking around under the rock of ECFA
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China was signed. The process seems smooth and efficient at the surface, but the story is not simple. Many Taiwanese have poked around under the rock of ECFA and ask their government why.
Taiwan: Rice fields outside the Presidential Office
On July 18th, Taiwanese farmers transformed the Presidential Office into rice fields, not for creating a city garden, but for a protest to the Land Expropriation Act.
Taiwan: In memory of Chao-Jung Hsu, a Taiwanese WWII veteran
As part of an impassioned campaign to create a memorial park for Taiwanese WWII veterans, Chao-Jung Hsu's set himself on fire and died exactly two years ago.
Taiwan: The winner of the Masters de la Boulangerie 2010 is…
Winner of the Coupe Louis Lesaffre in 2007 and silver medalist at in 2008 the World Cup Baking, Pao-Chun Wu has won the championship at the Masters de la Boulangerie 2010.
