J. Michael Cole

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J. Michael Cole is a senior non-resident fellow with the University of Nottingham’s China Policy Institute and an associate researcher with the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC).

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2016/12/22 | J. Michael Cole

Why the Sky Did Not Fall after São Tomé and Príncipe Dropped Taiwan

The loss of São Tomé and Príncipe, and of The Gambia before that, hardly constitute a knockout of Taiwan, writes J. Michael Cole.

2016/12/07 | J. Michael Cole

Taiwan, Not the US, to Pay the Price for the Trump-Tsai Call

While punishing Taiwan may be Beijing’s proximate aim, China may also hope to convince the Trump administration that closer engagement with Taipei isn’t in their interests, as this will inevitably lead to renewed instability in the Taiwan Strait, argues J. Michael Cole

2016/11/24 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: More than Marriage Equality, it’s a Battle Between Reason and Obscurantism

The current mess isn’t a gentlemen’s debate on policy, where one side’s facts are weighed against those of their opponents; it is, instead, a battle between the forces of reason and obscurantism, writes J. Michael Cole.

2016/10/27 | J. Michael Cole

President Tsai: Proceed With Marriage Equality. Now

The electoral costs to the government of proceeding with legalizing same-sex unions in Taiwan are so low it makes no sense to delay the matter any further. And from a moral standpoint, it's the right thing to do.

2016/10/14 | J. Michael Cole

China’s Negative Impact on Freedom of the Press Expands Outwards

We all know how China treats its own journalists. But what about the CCP's critics outside China? More and more, it's going after them, too.

2016/10/06 | J. Michael Cole

IKEA Unveils LGBT-Friendly ‘All Homes Are Created Equal’ Ad Campaign

Meanwhile in homophobic Russia, a gay couple is currently in the lead in a competition to select the next stars to be featured on the company's catalogue cover.

2016/10/06 | J. Michael Cole

Over 75 Percent of Chinese Believe Way of Life Must be Protected Against ‘Outside Influences’

As China sees a greater role for itself on the global stage, it is also becoming more apprehensive about potential designs against its emergence as a major power.

2016/10/04 | J. Michael Cole

WEF Corrects 'Error' in Annual Report, Reinstates ‘Taiwan, China’

Beijing imposes a fiction about Taiwan and often gets its way in global institutions. But in the end, nomenclature will never change the facts on the ground.

2016/10/03 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: Is Double Ten a Deadline for President Tsai?

Don’t hold your breath for a breakthrough in President Tsai’s cross-Strait policy on National Day.

2016/09/30 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: Is the West Losing the Influence War to China?

Like-minded coalitions of major states are increasingly unable to counter Beijing’s efforts to isolate Taiwan at international institutions.

2016/09/27 | J. Michael Cole

[BOOKS] Convergence or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait: A Journey

Published by Routledge today, ‘Convergence or Conflict’ shows why Taiwan matters, where it is headed, and why ‘peaceful unification’ is illusory.

2016/09/26 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: For Taiwan, the Sun Doesn’t Rise and Set with China

Only when the international community stops looking at Taiwan through the China lens will those motivations be fully understood.

2016/09/23 | J. Michael Cole

ICAO Refuses to Invite Taiwan to Assembly

The decision yet again demonstrates China's ability to coerce international institutions into making decision that go against their very mandate, putting politics before public health and safety.

2016/09/22 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: SCMP the Good Little Mouthpiece

More and more, the South China Morning Post’s editorials read as if they were drafted in Beijing. Here’s an example.

2016/09/21 | J. Michael Cole

To Terminate or Not? Taiwan’s ‘Cloud Peak’ Medium-Range Missile Program

A recent report by the ‘China Times’ claims Taiwan has decided to abandon efforts to develop a medium-range missile that could hit Beijing or Shanghai. While aborting the program would make sense, Taipei won’t be doing so for the reasons stated in the article.

2016/09/20 | J. Michael Cole

OP-ED: China the Twelve Year Old

For far too long we have allowed the tyrant child to determine our actions. This must stop. We must stop fearing it.

2016/09/19 | J. Michael Cole

Spurned, Beijing Bypasses Taiwan’s Central Government

Beijing is seeking to undermine the authority of Taiwan’s central government by creating bilateral dependencies and sowing division within society. It has been going on for quite a while.

2016/09/14 | J. Michael Cole

Japanese Politician's Taiwan Connection Causes Storm as Party Vote Looms

Attacked for her dual nationality, Democratic Party deputy head Renho is in a race to abandon her ROC citizenship.