Mandy Ma, stepmother to the children of the late Barbie Hsu, has publicly denied allegations of neglecting her stepchildren following the death of Hsu on February 2, 2025. Ma stated during a recent livestream that the children, Wang Hsi Yue (12) and Wang Hsi Lin (10), remain in Taiwan to maintain their educational stability and … Read more
Iran and Oman’s proposal to jointly administer the Strait of Hormuz and collect administrative fees has prompted energy market participants to fear similar tolls in the Strait of Malacca. Investors worry this development could establish a precedent for taxing other critical maritime corridors. Why are investors worried about a “toll booth” in the Strait of … Read more
US foreign policy is transitioning toward a framework of “pragmatic realism” that prioritizes American power and a repositioning within a multipolar world, according to Wu Xinbo. Wu, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, suggests this shift will lead to China-US relations defined by “process management” and “dynamic stability.” What defines … Read more
Neurobiologist Chih-Ying Su has left her position as faculty vice-chair at the University of California San Diego to join the Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences (SMART). Professor Su, recognized for her research on olfactory receptor neurons in fruit flies, cited the institute’s advanced infrastructure and the leadership of SMART president Yan Ning as primary reasons … Read more
China’s newly enacted “Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress” has sparked international concern over its potential to facilitate transnational repression. Effective as of July 2026, Article 63 of the legislation asserts Beijing’s authority to prosecute individuals and organizations outside of mainland China deemed to have undermined ethnic unity. Rights groups, including Amnesty … Read more
Mainland Chinese law enforcement vessels, the Sansha Zhifa 301 and Sansha No 2, entered Taipei-claimed prohibited waters near Taiping Island on Thursday morning. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) stated the vessels breached the 3.2-nautical-mile restricted zone before being driven away by Taiwanese authorities at 8:43 a.m. What happened near Taiping Island? The incident began at … Read more
The Hidden Titans: How Technology and Community Are Saving Asia’s Ancient Forests Deep within the mist-shrouded, rugged interior of Taiwan, a botanical legend has been confirmed. Standing at a staggering 84.1 meters, a Taiwania cryptomerioides—known locally as “The Heaven Sword”—has officially been crowned the tallest tree in East Asia. But this discovery is more than … Read more
Beijing’s New Red Line: Why Parliamentary Travel to Taiwan is Under Fire In a move that has sent shockwaves through Wellington and Canberra, Beijing has imposed an unprecedented travel ban on four New Zealand MPs following their recent visit to Taiwan. This isn’t just a localized diplomatic spat; it signals a significant tightening of China’s … Read more
LNG Market Volatility: Why Labor Disputes Are the New Supply Chain Threat The global energy landscape is undergoing a structural shift. As geopolitical tensions strain traditional supply routes, the stability of key production hubs has become the primary concern for energy traders and utility providers alike. The recent industrial action at the Ichthys LNG facility … Read more
The New Frontier of Parliamentary Diplomacy: Navigating Geopolitical Sanctions When Act MP Laura McClure found herself on the receiving end of a travel ban from Beijing following a trip to Taiwan, she didn’t mince words. Describing the move as a form of “foreign interference,” McClure signaled a shift in how backbench politicians are navigating the … Read more