Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
@aimenlau.bsky.social
🇭🇰🇲🇾🇨🇦 | Information Operations and Transnational Repression Research | formerly at Alliance Canada Hong Kong and Doublethink Lab | she/elle | views are my fault
Pinned
Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
@aimenlau.bsky.social
· Jan 10
Books I read in 2025
1) Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
A political satire inspired by the 2017 coup that ended Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe told through the perspective of animals. The use of animals as a metaphor wasn’t the most effective for me, the book was an overall fun read
1) Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
A political satire inspired by the 2017 coup that ended Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe told through the perspective of animals. The use of animals as a metaphor wasn’t the most effective for me, the book was an overall fun read
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
In the 1950s, a Danish freighter captain became an unlikely international celebrity when he encountered monster storms but refused to abandon ship, commanding singlehanded until it sunk beneath his feet.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
They Told Him to Abandon Ship. He Said No.
YouTube video by Oceanliner Designs
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
In the 1950s, a Danish freighter captain became an unlikely international celebrity when he encountered monster storms but refused to abandon ship, commanding singlehanded until it sunk beneath his feet.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
A reminder that in 2019, Apple removed an app that helped Hong Kong protestors track the police. And that many Hongkongers also actually used to avoid the police because they didn't want to deal with police harassment, police created "tear gas buffets", etc.
Also, this 👇
Also, this 👇
November 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
A reminder that in 2019, Apple removed an app that helped Hong Kong protestors track the police. And that many Hongkongers also actually used to avoid the police because they didn't want to deal with police harassment, police created "tear gas buffets", etc.
Also, this 👇
Also, this 👇
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
i don't think the consul general of China in Osaka should threaten to behead the prime minister
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 AM
i don't think the consul general of China in Osaka should threaten to behead the prime minister
"Apple has removed two of the most popular gay dating apps in China from the App Store after receiving an order from China’s main internet regulator and censorship authority."
Apple Pulls China’s Top Gay Dating Apps After Government Order
The removal of Blued and Finka marks another setback for China’s marginalized LGBTQ+ community.
www.wired.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
"Apple has removed two of the most popular gay dating apps in China from the App Store after receiving an order from China’s main internet regulator and censorship authority."
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
1/ Update: 💕THANK YOU @hongkongfp.com READERS: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/06/t...
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
1/ Update: 💕THANK YOU @hongkongfp.com READERS: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/06/t...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Unfortunate that courts have sided against unions, resulting in this hunger strike from Taiwan Railways workers
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Taiwan Railway Union on 100-hour hunger strike - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Unfortunate that courts have sided against unions, resulting in this hunger strike from Taiwan Railways workers
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Check out @jordynhaime.bsky.social on "Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive" in the latest issue of her newsletter.
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive
Taiwan's appeal to AIPAC is disappointing, but comes as no surprise
jordynhaime.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Check out @jordynhaime.bsky.social on "Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive" in the latest issue of her newsletter.
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
A very revealing deep-dive by Li Hou-chen and our team over at Tian Jian on how China is leveraging influencers — from Taiwan and around the world — for state agendas. linguasinica.substack.com/p/the-influe...
The Influence Machine
A deep-dive into the China trip of Taiwanese influencer Holger Chen exposes the sophisticated network of state-linked influencers and media outlets driving China's push for cross-strait influence.
linguasinica.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:34 AM
A very revealing deep-dive by Li Hou-chen and our team over at Tian Jian on how China is leveraging influencers — from Taiwan and around the world — for state agendas. linguasinica.substack.com/p/the-influe...
Are you fucking kidding me
HK auxiliary police officer gets no jail time for slapping and headbutting 12 year old autistic son.
November 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Are you fucking kidding me
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
When I was working for a Chinese government contractor in 2019, my mainland colleagues insisted that Trump was a fellow traveler who was just doing Chinese communism very badly, and would fail because of the US’ public’s independent streak.
FWIW, I think they’re completely correct now.
FWIW, I think they’re completely correct now.
So when are we allowed to do comparative politics between the CCP and the Republican party?
Trump: "I want my cabinet to behave like [Xi Jinping's staff]. I'm demanding that....I've never seen men so scared in their lives...JD doesn't behave like that. JD butts into conversations."
November 6, 2025 at 5:24 AM
When I was working for a Chinese government contractor in 2019, my mainland colleagues insisted that Trump was a fellow traveler who was just doing Chinese communism very badly, and would fail because of the US’ public’s independent streak.
FWIW, I think they’re completely correct now.
FWIW, I think they’re completely correct now.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 AM
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
There's something very telling about Brown's actions--we suddenly have an influx of China experts who want to get in on Taiwan since it's a sexy topic, but disregard the existing Taiwan experts, and want to bury those existing experts because they are competition
In case you missed it, Kerry Brown wrote a book that plagiarized Shelley Rigger’s classic book title.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
There's something very telling about Brown's actions--we suddenly have an influx of China experts who want to get in on Taiwan since it's a sexy topic, but disregard the existing Taiwan experts, and want to bury those existing experts because they are competition
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
In case you missed it, Kerry Brown wrote a book that plagiarized Shelley Rigger’s classic book title.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
November 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
In case you missed it, Kerry Brown wrote a book that plagiarized Shelley Rigger’s classic book title.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
I, along with others who were asked to review Kerry’s manuscript, said verbatim to change the title.
In the most tacky and unprofessional fashion, he stole her title anyway.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
#China: It has been two years since Minnie Chan, a defence reporter at the #SCMP, disappeared during a trip to Beijing after covering a military conference. As the general indifference surrounding her case raises fears of state repression, RSF urges the Chinese regime to disclose her whereabouts.
Disappearance of Hong Kong journalist in China deeply concerning
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is greatly concerned over the disappearance of Minnie Chan, a reporter for Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post, who went missing in China in late October after she...
rsf.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life”
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life”
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Good to see this op-ed on Gaza and the optics of Lai accepting a visit from AIPAC by two of the leading figures in Taiwanese civil society
www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
Speak out on the situation in Gaza - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Good to see this op-ed on Gaza and the optics of Lai accepting a visit from AIPAC by two of the leading figures in Taiwanese civil society
www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Very proud to have contributed a few chapters to this book on the past, present, and future of neon in HK. The process showed me how it’s so much more than just sappy sentimentality to mourn HK’s lost lights — and that despite everything… neon’s not dead.
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
A Book: Neon Is Not Dead: The Future of a Hong Kong Icon
It's about the rise, fall, and rebirth of Hong Kong’s living light
www.kickstarter.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Very proud to have contributed a few chapters to this book on the past, present, and future of neon in HK. The process showed me how it’s so much more than just sappy sentimentality to mourn HK’s lost lights — and that despite everything… neon’s not dead.
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
“French politicians are escalating their fight with Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein, threatening a ban over childlike sex dolls on its site, just as the company plans to open its first-ever permanent shop in Paris.”
Oy vey 😬
Oy vey 😬
Inside Shein's fast-fashion fight in France
Chinese online fashion platform Shein is ramping up its fight in France, gambling that its first permanent shop, in a Paris department store, will help fend off fierce pushback from lawmakers against its low-cost model.
www.reuters.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:24 AM
“French politicians are escalating their fight with Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein, threatening a ban over childlike sex dolls on its site, just as the company plans to open its first-ever permanent shop in Paris.”
Oy vey 😬
Oy vey 😬
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
extraordinary, contemptible cowardice from @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social , directed against one of their own staff on behalf of the Chinese government.
Pretty extraordinary story here
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show - BBC News
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
extraordinary, contemptible cowardice from @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social , directed against one of their own staff on behalf of the Chinese government.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
"Sources at Parliament, who wouldn’t speak on the record for fear of retribution, said the letter ...revealed how China’s government monitors New Zealanders ...they believe China is sending people to spy on events organised by Kiwi supporters of Taiwan."
China scolds Kiwi MPs in a brazen letter that few want to talk about
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
China scolds Kiwi MPs in a brazen letter that few want to discuss
Sources at Parliament believe China is spying on events related to Taiwan in New Zealand.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 AM
"Sources at Parliament, who wouldn’t speak on the record for fear of retribution, said the letter ...revealed how China’s government monitors New Zealanders ...they believe China is sending people to spy on events organised by Kiwi supporters of Taiwan."
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Taiwan's GDP per capita will surpass US$40,000 next year and its GDP per capita and cost of living is also similar to Spain, Slovenia and Japan today. But how do Taiwan's wages at the low and middle-income compare—I explore the data in this newest article.
ketagalanmedia.com/2025/10/31/t...
ketagalanmedia.com/2025/10/31/t...
Taiwan’s Wages Are Lower Than Countries with Similar GDP per Capita - Ketagalan Media
In short, Taiwan needs to be genuine about its practice of human rights, and align its labor rights with its advocacy of democracy.
ketagalanmedia.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Taiwan's GDP per capita will surpass US$40,000 next year and its GDP per capita and cost of living is also similar to Spain, Slovenia and Japan today. But how do Taiwan's wages at the low and middle-income compare—I explore the data in this newest article.
ketagalanmedia.com/2025/10/31/t...
ketagalanmedia.com/2025/10/31/t...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
The lack of action on poor road safety and political dysfunction it represents is one the most depressing parts about Taiwan. Deadlock caused by political polarization and dark money is a global issue, but Taiwan's lack of care and will around road safety feels particular.
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
Last year, an unlicensed elderly driver killed two children in central Taiwan when he drove his SUV 77kph down a narrow side street outside their school.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
無照翁撞死彰化姊妹判1年2月 祖父：太輕盼上訴 | 社會 | 中央社 CNA
74歲蕭姓男子去年於彰化縣伸港鄉無照駕駛撞擊陳姓3姊弟遭判刑1年2月，3姊弟的祖父今天告訴中央社記者，2孫女相繼過世，這樣判太輕，實在不公平，希望檢察官提上訴。
www.cna.com.tw
November 1, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The lack of action on poor road safety and political dysfunction it represents is one the most depressing parts about Taiwan. Deadlock caused by political polarization and dark money is a global issue, but Taiwan's lack of care and will around road safety feels particular.
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
bsky.app/profile/ryan...