Brian Hioe
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brianhioe.bsky.social
Brian Hioe
@brianhioe.bsky.social
4.3K followers 660 following 3.4K posts
Editor at @newbloommag.net, writes @thediplomat.com @flaminghydra.com, non-resident fellow at University of Nottingham's Taiwan Research Hub, ‪Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club board, freelance journalist, translator, DJ. Author of Taipei at Daybreak
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brianhioe.bsky.social
Once in awhile, I suddenly realize that people tend to describe me in Stakhanovite terms, lol
November 11, 2025 at 4:37 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Good read on the dangers faced by Taiwanese firefighters on the job

www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Demographic issue: Taiwan’s firefighters gambling with their lives - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Reposted by Brian Hioe
xunlingau.bsky.social
Soeharto being granted the title of National hero in Indonesia is a betrayal of all those killed by his regime. His actions & that of the forces under his control caused death & suffering all across Indonesia & beyond.

Whitewashing history by the gov't.

#SoehartoBukanPahlawan
Cartoon of Soeharto depicted as a monster in military uniform in front of a field of skulls with the years of massacres & places where forces under his control carried out massacres pinned to him.
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Useful read on how Taiwan would cope with energy needs during a blockade. I generally think a public that had the will to adopt voluntary lockdown during Covid when much of the world could not would be fine with rationing energy in a blockade

dominotheory.com/how-long-tai...
How Long Taiwan Can Keep Its Lights On - Domino Theory
As Taiwan prepares for China to impose a maritime blockade, the island’s chief concern should be its reliance on imported fuel. Taiwan imports 97% of its energy, so a total blockade would leave Taiwan...
dominotheory.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Nice read on the history of the jade cabbage from @whannyuanc
How a humble cabbage became one of the Forbidden City’s most memorable treasures | CNN
Appearing on stamps, merchandise and plush toys, the diminutive jadeite carving is so popular it occupies its own room at Taiwan’s National Palace Museum.
edition.cnn.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Honestly, wonder what she is thinking with the optics or what her vision of improving the electability of the KMT is, but what’s important to note is pushback against her even within the KMT
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Suharto being declared a national hero in Indonesia really reminds of Marcos being reinterred in the Heroes' Cemetery. Autocrats and authoritarians are all a bad cliche, all of them, but they draw from the same playbook
November 10, 2025 at 11:16 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
I'll be moderating!
newbloommag.net New Bloom @newbloommag.net · 1d
Wednesday night! Join us for a talk on the media landscape in Central Europe with Dr. Martin Štefek in this talk co-organized with Legal Initiatives for Vietnam!

www.facebook.com/events/11867...
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Interesting to see the emergence of disinformation online claiming that Taiwan paid its way for Hsiao's appearance in the European Parliament, rather than that it was facilitated by the European Union and Belgium

focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Hsiao's recent trip to Brussels facilitated by EU, Belgium: IPAC - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) recent trip to Brussels and her address to the European Parliament were facilitated by the European Union and the Belgian government and were not linked to ...
focustaiwan.tw
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Tsai in Berlin not long after Hsiao was in Brussels

focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Former President Tsai arrives in Berlin for freedom conference - Focus Taiwan
Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was welcomed with flowers on her arrival Sunday in Berlin, where she is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on Monday at the Berlin Freedom Conference.
focustaiwan.tw
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Given the upcoming typhoon, evacuation ordered for Guangfu/Fata'an

focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Schools, offices in Guangfu Township closed; evacuation order issued - Focus Taiwan
The Hualien County Government on Monday announced the closure of schools and offices in Guangfu Township, while residents in some parts of the township have been ordered to evacuate due to the risk of...
focustaiwan.tw
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Eggs contaminated with pesticides enter the Taiwanese market, measures taken to recall them

focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Over 150,000 pesticide-contaminated eggs enter Taiwan market: TFDA - Focus Taiwan
More than 150,000 eggs potentially contaminated with high residues of the pesticide fipronil-sulfone have entered the market in 10 municipalities throughout Taiwan, the country's Food and Drug Adminis...
focustaiwan.tw
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
When I think about Takaichi, I'm like, God, not another far-right-wing figure for Taiwan to idealize because they seem to support Taiwan, lol
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Streisand Effect, lol. We all know who got elected this week

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Anti-Communism Week, 2025
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION This week, our Nation observes Anti-Communism Week, a solemn remembrance of the
www.whitehouse.gov
November 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Despite having been in office for only 9 days, I already think probably the KMT will try to oust Cheng in some way if she doesn't moderate her views eventually, but boy do I hope she stays in office and refuses to comply with any attempt to get her to step down, lol
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
At a conference awhile ago, I was accidentally introduced as a recent father (which was true of another participant in that conference), which has created confusion that has lasted since now as whenever I run into participants of that conference they ask me about my kid, lol
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Interesting detail that Hsiao Bi-khim herself was not informed that she would be giving a speech at Brussels until shortly before traveling to Europe--a sign of the tight security around the trip because of possible reprisals from China

www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Hsiao IPAC speech a new chapter in Taiwan-EU ties - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Exports at an all-time high for Taiwan due to the AI boom

www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
Exports soar 49.7% to all-time high - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Probably because of his image as being tough on China, the Chinese government continues to escalate efforts targeting DPP legislator Puma Shen, now claiming that Interpol could be used to arrest Shen

udn.com/news/story/7...
央視發布影片「起底」沈伯洋 威脅展開全球抓捕 | 聯合新聞網
大陸重慶公安日前對中共認定的「台獨」頑固分子、我立法委員沈伯洋進行立案偵查，大陸官媒央視新聞又於9日上午發布影片「起底台...
udn.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Former KMT lawmakers Alex Tsai and Apollo Chen, not exactly moderates themselves, criticize Cheng Li-wun over actions that amplify the perception that the KMT wishes to immediately unify with China

www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
KMT chair creating headaches: ex-legislators - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Brian Hioe
newbloommag.net
"'The Homeless' Offers Well-Intentioned But Meandering Look At China’s Unhoused" by @brianhioe.bsky.social
“The Homeless” Offers Well-Intentioned But Meandering Look At China’s Unhoused - No Man Is An Island
Documentary "The Homeless" offers a valuable look at the lives of unhoused individuals in China, but with deficiencies in storytelling
nomanisanis.land
November 9, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Brian Hioe
mtacalendar.bsky.social
New event!
📆15th Nov
🕖7pm Taiwan time

Join Migrante Taiwan 移工國際台灣分會 and @newbloommag.net for "Pakikiisa 團結: A Fundraising Talk For Guangfu and Disaster-Struck Areas in the Philippines" w/ Krishna Ariola, Jing-Jie Chen Temelalj Kazangjilan, @ginollopez.bsky.social & @brianhioe.bsky.social
Pakikiisa 團結: A Fundraising Talk For Guangfu and Disaster-Struck Areas in the Philippines In Taiwan, supertyphoon Ragasa in late September ravaged the town of Guangfu, Hualien, inundating neighborhoods with mudslide resulting in at least 18 fatalities, a hundred injured, and several still missing. In the Philippines, the most recent Typhoon Kalmaegi claimed at least 200 lives, uprooted hundreds of thousands, and caused billions in damages---just the latest in a string of natural calamities that have rocked the country. It also exposed substandard flood control projects and the vast corruption within the Philippine government that have not only robbed the Filipino people but resulted in hundreds of deaths. All of these are manifestations of the worsening climate crisis and inaction from global governments. Thus, we are inviting everyone to join in solidarity to help fundraise for climate disaster, featuring a talk by climate activist Krishna Ariola and indigenous activist Jing-Jie Chen Temelalj Kazangjilan from Taiwan. Filipino food and snacks will be sold during the event and all proceeds will be given to charities in the Philippines and Taiwan aiding in their respective regions. November 15, 2025, 7:00 pm at Daybreak Cafe Bangka Boulevard, No. 110, Wanhua District, Taipei City
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
A welcome move in allowing for better understanding conditions faced by the elderly

focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Taiwan to survey 700,000 seniors living independently in 2026: MOHW - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan will launch its first nationwide census on elderly people living independently in 2026 to identify an estimated 700,000 seniors and strengthen community-based healthcare and long-term care serv...
focustaiwan.tw
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Nice profile of Tai Tzu-ying’s career in @Focus_Taiwan

focustaiwan.tw/sports/20251...
End of an era: Tai Tzu-ying and her legacy - Focus Taiwan
Late Friday night, former world No. 1 female badminton player Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎) officially announced her decision to hang up her racket via social media, drawing to a close a professional career that...
focustaiwan.tw
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 AM
brianhioe.bsky.social
Interesting how IPAC is touted as a diplomatic breakthrough for Taiwan but also a win for Hsiao specifically

news.ltn.com.tw/news/politic...
蕭美琴親赴比利時演說 林佳龍：我國副元首首度訪問非邦交國 - 政治 - 自由時報電子報
副總統蕭美琴應邀出席對中政策跨國議會聯盟（IPAC）布魯塞爾年會並發表演說，創下外交突破。外交部長林佳龍表示，蕭美琴此行是我國副元首首度訪問非邦交國並登上歐洲議會殿堂發表演說，顯示台歐夥伴關係邁入全新階段，他也指出，為避免中國掌握情資或施壓干擾，本次出訪任務高度機敏，全程均在高度保密下籌辦。林佳龍今日透過臉書表示，蕭美琴此行是受總統賴清德指派應邀出席，此行也象徵台灣外交邁出歷史性的一步，為我國副元...
news.ltn.com.tw
November 9, 2025 at 9:03 AM