Brian Hioe

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Brian Hioe was one of the founding editors of New Bloom, a freelance writer on social movements and politics, and an occasional translator.

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2021/02/01 | Brian Hioe

What Does a Trending T-shirt Say About Taiwanese Identity and Politics?

りしれ供さ小, pronounced lí sī-leh kóng-siánn-siâu, would be a Taiwanese Hokkien phrase meaning “The heck are you saying?” Here’s what its ubiquity signals about Taiwan’s youth culture.

2021/06/11 | Brian Hioe

The KMT’s Twitter is a Dumpster Fire

Taiwan’s main opposition party, the KMT, accused Singaporean dissident Roy Ngerng of being an “extreme white supremacist” on Twitter. Patently false and absurd as it is, the charge adheres to the logic of a moribund institution.

2021/02/08 | Brian Hioe

Is the Success of PUI PUI Guinea Pig Cars Because of Capitalism?

The appeal of the children’s show PUI PUI Guinea Pig Cars cannot be denied. It may be a sign of discontent with capitalism in Taiwan.

2022/02/24 | Brian Hioe

Reading Putin’s Speech From Taiwan

Putin’s speech on the war’s eve expressed an incoherence that leaves China in an awkward position vis-a-vis its claims on Taiwan.

2022/11/02 | Brian Hioe

The Tsai Administration Is Silent on Lula’s Victory. What Would It Take for That To Change?

The Tsai administration’s passing on an opportunity to demonstrate support for democracy in Brazil is disappointing. All the more so because in 2018, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued immediate congratulations to Bolsonaro on the day of his presidential election.

2022/08/23 | Brian Hioe

The Real Problem With Taiwan’s Plagiarism Scandals

The focus on educational background in Taiwan’s electoral politics closes paths to office for the many without the power or money to gain degrees from elite institutions — illicitly or not.

2021/04/28 | Brian Hioe

KMT Divided Over God-Status of Founder Sun Yat-sen

A KMT central standing committee member said Sun Yat-sen was deified after death. Other KMT politicians don't think so.

2022/04/07 | Brian Hioe

Taiwan’s Political Culture As Expressed in an Absurd Ad

As old political slogans and tropes lose their cache, viral fame has become the coin of the realm for politicians and politically-minded comedians alike.

2016/11/10 | Brian Hioe

Demonstrations in South Korea Calling on Park to Step Down

It is to be questioned whether Park’s Saenuri Party will be able to survive the scandal, and South Korea’s political future, not only internally but regionally, remains unknown.

2017/12/06 | Brian Hioe

Labor Law Demonstrations Culminate in Clashes with Police

Amendments to the Labor Standards Act have moved closer to passage despite protesters' efforts, with the next step happening on Dec. 23.

2019/03/18 | Brian Hioe

OPINION: Taiwan Must Discuss Migrant Worker Safety After Fatal Factory Fires

Taiwan must seriously address unsafe work conditions for migrant workers after its third fatal factory fire in 14 months.

2019/03/07 | Brian Hioe

Daguan Residents Clash With Taipei Police After Receiving Eviction Notices

Residents of Daguan Community in New Taipei say the Tsai administration has not helped them in their fight against forced eviction.