‘A Stormy Petrel’: Hong Kong Governor John Pope Hennessy
P. Kevin MacKeown's biography 'A Stormy Petrel' (City University of Hong Kong, 2020) argues for John Pope Hennessy as a character full of contradictions, bridling against his historical circumstances but never quite transcending them.
Explore Old Taipei With These 10 Hidden Gems in Dadaocheng
Dadaocheng is historic neighborhood that's being revived by a new breed of creatives and trendy shops. Here's our selection of secret hot spots for you.
From Nazis to Noodles: How Shanghai Welcomed WWII's Jewish Refugees
Shanghai's Hongkou was one of the few places in the world to throw open its doors to Jews fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany.
The Timor-Leste Tree: How East Timor Nearly Lost Its Illustrious Sandalwood
The fate of the sandalwood tree is inextricably linked to East Timor's turbulent history.
Confronting Coldstore: Why Singapore Must Face Its Past
There is still time for those who took part in epoch-making events in Singapore's history to give their personal testimony.
How did Qing Emperors Celebrate the New Year? By Working Overtime
Other festivities included unseasoned meat and wrestling.
Nationalist Treasure: Taipei's Streets Contain a Secret Map of China
Taipei's street names are rarely older than 50 years, but their story goes back another century.
The Last of Taiwan's 'Blind Masseurs'
'Blind massage' was first introduced to Taiwan by the Japanese during the colonial era. More than 100 years later, signs for blind massage parlors remain a common sight in the underground malls and streets of Taiwan but the number of masseurs is declining.
BOOK REVIEW: 'Dear Hong Kong: An Elegy to a City'
'Dear Hong Kong: An Elegy for a City' spans five decades, two husbands, a dozen other lovers, a handover to the Motherland, the dementia of the author's mother and the death of her father.
Pain Still Runs Deep as Taiwan Marks 30 Years Since Martial Law
Official records state around 140,000 people were tried by military courts with as many as 8,000 executed during the 38-year crackdown. Many believe the actual numbers are higher.
On the Front Lines of Taiwan's History in Kinmen
Once the focal point of hostilities between China and Taiwan, the Kinmen archipelago has evolved into a fascinating tourist destination.
PODCAST: Tiananmen Massacre, China’s Most Wanted Keeps the Protest Alive
Check out the latest episode of The News Lens Radio.
Re-Imagining the Formosan Flag: Taiwan's First Appeal for International Help
'The difference between the two tigers is hidden in their eyes; the obverse side has undilated pupils while the reverse has dilated ones. Researchers believe this contrast is a metaphor for day and night, symbolizing constant vigilance.'
PODCAST: Chiang Kai-Shek’s Great-Grandson and the Future of the KMT
Check out the latest episode of The News Lens Radio.
Remembering Green Island’s First Political Prisoners
Today marks 66 years since the first group of political prisoners were taken to Taiwan’s Green Island.
PODCAST: Hong Kong on the Brink, An American Diplomat Relives 1967’s Darkest Days
Check out the latest episode of The News Lens Radio.
OPINION: Don’t Delete the Generalissimo, Contextualize Him
'His legacy ought to be studied and analyzed, if only to remember the horrors and agonies of the history of this island nation, and to educate ourselves on the importance of avoiding a backslide into totalitarianism.'
OPINION: Deleting the Generalissimo from Taiwan is the Wrong Move
'Chiang Kai-shek was the greatest single fighter of the CCP, bar none. He also led China through one of the darkest periods of its history, including a brutal war with Japan and two periods of civil war, which wrapped together were a central part of the greatest conflict in human history.'