Design for Double Ten ROC National Day

  • October 10th is celebrated in Taiwan as its National Day, and is sometimes colloquially referred to as “Taiwan’s birthday.”
  • However, October 10th is a holiday designated by the Republic of China (ROC) government to commemorate the start of the military coup that eventually brought down the Qing Empire in 1911, when Taiwan was a colony of Japan. Since the most of the Republic of China’s state symbols are retained from its original days from China, they invite controversy in Taiwan, especially on state holidays.
  • This year, the logo design features the colors blue, red, and green found on a kind of bag traditionally used in Taiwan, designed by award-winning designer Civi Cheng. Proponents praised the usage of a iconically commoner theme, but opponents criticized the preceived avoidance of the ROC’s national flag as a theme.

China Invades Taiwan in 2020?

  • US-China expert Ian Easton of Washington DC-based think tank Project 2049 has released a new book called The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia. The book details how the PRC would plan an execute an invasion of Taiwan.
  • Media reports have claimed that the book predicts China wil invade by 2020. But commentator Michael Turton points out the book does no such thing in a book review. Instead, he says the book offers an optimistic affirmation of Taiwan’s chances in a fight against China.   

Possible Third Major Airline in Taiwan

  • Taiwan could see a third major international airline, StarLux Airlines, join the skies after China Airlines and EVA Air, as early as 2019.
  • The founder of StarLux, Chang Kuo-wei, succeeded as the Chairman of EVA Air after his late father and founder Chang Jung-fa. However, a family succession fight resulted in Chang Kuo-wei’s removal.
  • The future of Taiwan’s aviation industry is still untested; Taiwan’s first commercial airline, TransAsia Airways, suffered two major crashes in 2014 and 2015, and abruptly ended all services after it became insolvent last November.

Love Note to Bopiliao

  • This week we go back in time for a Taipei Love Notes entry on Bopiliao, a slice of history in Bang-ka (Wanhua), part of “old Taipei.” After the 2010 movie Monga shot here, this area became an attraction for history buffs and youngsters alike.

 

Editor in Chief at Ketagalan Media
Chieh-Ting Yeh is the co-founder and editor in chief of Ketagalan Media. He is an advisor of the National Taiwan Normal University International Taiwan Studies Center (ITSC) and the Global Taiwan Institute. He has been a long-time thinker of Taiwan's history, politics, economy, and nationalism.
Chieh-Ting Yeh