Taiwan Talk

Leaving family and friends to live Taiwan is a given for expats and travelers here, as is getting homesick. But what is being here like when home is Ukraine, and loved ones are exposed to fighting on the front lines? Analyst Mariia Makarovych talks about her life in Taiwan today, what she left behind, and what she will take back with her to Ukraine when she returns there. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Pie fans in the know rave about iMomi Pies, although they probably know little about Sandy and Gary Edmonds -- the Christian missionary and his wife who started it all. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

German director Stefan Kaegi likens the production of his play "This is not an Embassy (Made in Taiwan)" to a diplomatic process -- one involving constant negotiation between different protagonists. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about what inspired him to write the play, and how he chose to go about telling the story of a country he has not really lived in for an extended period of time, but which he has learned to love. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

History has no better teachers than the eyewitnesses that watch it unfold and are "in the room when it happens." This unaired episode of Taiwan Talk is an eyewitness account presenting former Control Yuan and Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien's memories and insights of what transpired after the U-S announced it was derecognizing the ROC (Taiwan). Chien walks us through some of the negotiations and events that took place; and reintroduces us to key historical figures of the time including the last U.S. Ambassador to the ROC, Leonard S. Unger who was appointed in 1974 and Warren Christopher, who served as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's official emissary who led negotiations between Washington and Taipei. Chien also talks about the roles of ROC Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan who resigned after the U.S. announcement; Victor Wei-Jen Hu who was Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister H.E. Chang-Huan Shen; and GIO director James Soong in the complicated unwinding of diplomatic ties with an important ally. The former diplomat even shares the late President Chiang Ching-kuo's reaction to the events which continues to shape much of Taiwan 's internal and external policies today. This interview is presented as part of I.C.R.T's 45th birthday celebrations. A shorter version which aired on April 15, 2024 is also available to download. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Former Control Yuan President and Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien shares his memories and insights into the hours and days in the aftermath of the US decision to derecognize the Republic of China (Taiwan), in favor of the People's Republic of China. His discourse reintroduces listeners to several key personalities, including the last U.S. Ambassador to the ROC, Leonard S. Unger who was appointed in 1974; ROC Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan who resigned after the U.S. announcement; Victor Wei-Jen Hu Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister H.E. Chang-Huan Shen; and GIO director James Soong. A longer version of the interview is also available for history buffs who might wish to hear a more complete narrative of what transpired among those who were"in the room where it happened." The interview was done as part of I-C-R-T's 45th birthday celebrations. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Jonathan Lin (林沛祥) comes from a family of politicians. But it took the urging of students involved in the Sunflower Movement to entice him to run for a seat in the Legislative Yuan. He tells I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo how that unfolded, and what it means for him to be a freshman lawmaker representing Keelung as part of the opposition KMT. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

I-C-R-T's John Seaward chats with Oscar-nominated documentary maker, S. Leo Chiang about what inspired him to put his thoughts into a film that caught the attention of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. You can find the documentary short here. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Philippe Grelon is an avid sailor who did much to encourage recreational sailing as a sport in Taiwan. Philippe and his son Cosmas speak to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about the early days of sailing in Taiwan, and their quest to capture the top spot in this year's Rolex China Sea Race, sailing in "A Plastic Ocean" or TPE 003. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Can technology really help you find the partner of your dreams? Coffee Meets Bagel Co-Founder and CEO Arum Kang thinks so. She tells I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo how algorithms could be the 21st century Cupid singletons are looking for. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Lawyer and longtime Taiwan resident John Eastwood's social media now features curated images of some of Taipei's most iconic colonial buildings. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about his interest in local architecture: what spurred it and what captures his imagination. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Japan and Italy may sit on different, faraway continents, but Initia's Chef Kunihiro Hagimoto says its easy to catch the similarities between the two cuisines -- and what they are -- during a chat with I-C-R-T 's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan may be a democracy today but it wasn't always this way. Writer and historian Mark O'Neill spent some years in Taipei during the 1980s -- he covers that period in his latest book in a chat with I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo.

Taiwan may be a democracy today but it wasn't always this way. Writer and historian Mark O'Neill spent some years in Taipei during the 1980s -- he covers that period in his latest book in a chat with I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo.

Taiwan may be a democracy today but it wasn't always this way. Writer and historian Mark O'Neill spent some years in Taipei during the 1980s -- he covers that period in his latest book in a chat with I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

As CEO of Taiwan NextGen Foundation, Chen Kuan Ting dreamt of "empowering the next generation of Taiwan's leaders". Today he has a chance of turning his vision into actionable plans as a member of the incoming Legislative Yuan. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about his legislative agenda.

As CEO of Taiwan NextGen Foundation, Chen Kuan Ting dreamt of "empowering the next generation of Taiwan's leaders". Today he has a chance of turning his vision into actionable plans as a member of the incoming Legislative Yuan. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about his legislative agenda.

As CEO of Taiwan NextGen Foundation, Chen Kuan Ting dreamt of "empowering the next generation of Taiwan's leaders". Today he has a chance of turning his vision into actionable plans as a member of the incoming Legislative Yuan. He speaks to I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo about his legislative agenda. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Cynthia Wu is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who wears many hats. Most recently, she had been at the Legislative Yuan for just over a year before she was asked to be the running mate of TPP Vice-Presidential Candidate Ko Wen-je. Wu tells I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo what drew her to politics, and what she hopes to achieve as she re-enters civilian life.

Cynthia Wu is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who wears many hats. Most recently, she had been at the Legislative Yuan for just over a year before she was asked to be the running mate of TPP Vice-Presidential Candidate Ko Wen-je. Wu tells I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo what drew her to politics, and what she hopes to achieve as she re-enters civilian life.

Cynthia Wu is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who wears many hats. Most recently, she had been at the Legislative Yuan for just over a year before she was asked to be the running mate of TPP Vice-Presidential Candidate Ko Wen-je. Wu tells I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo what drew her to politics, and what she hopes to achieve as she re-enters civilian life.