Taiwan Talk

In this week's Taiwan Talk, ICRT's Tim Berge talks to former Interior Minister and NTU Civll Engineering professor Lee Hong-yuan about the Guangfu tragedy in Hualien, from its cause to what needs to be done moving forward. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

If the pandemic helped accelerate changes in Taiwan's dining scene -- were there similar factors that influenced Taiwan's spirits scene? Former Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and veteran retail expert Steve Parker explains why he thinks democracy made it possible for Taiwan's homegrown wine and spirits industry to thrive. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Tim Berge and Hope Ngo. Also chec...

Can someone work in several Michelin kitchens and start from scratch to build his own? That's what we asked Leonardo Fonseca Celis who recently set up his own restaurant Fon-Cé in Taipei. He talks about his challenges and his dreams. Hosted by ICRT 's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

International Director of The Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec returns to Taiwan Talk to share his thoughts about how Taiwan's dining scene evolved for the better after the pandemic. And in this exclusive chat, one of the guide's anonymous chief inspectors tells us how the guides identify and rank Taiwan's acclaimed Bib Gourmand restaurants. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by Soun...

In late September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a shock announcement : that it was issuing a Withold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing -- a move that bans bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan. International Trade & Customs Attorney James Ransdell explains the order, the actions Giant can take to get it lifted, and whether this can be linked to Taipei'...

Coming to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge spoke to Matt Fullen and Taylor Chuang about one of Taiwan’s premier music and arts festivals. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in subtle and evocative ways. ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks with Thomas Foguenne, a composer originally from Belgium, but who now splits his time in Taiwan, where he has created soundtracks for movies, shows, and more. His most recent...

Bilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States have not always been smooth. Nearly 50 years ago, an American armed serviceman shot and killed a Taiwan counterpart, Liu Ziran -- setting off a series of riots which strained bilateral relations. If you'd never heard about the incident, which took place in 1957, it's time to put on a pair of headphones and take a listen. Hosted by ICRT's Hop...

What do you call your meal choice when you take a hard pass at animal product options? Do you call yourself "vegan" or is your meal "plant-based?" The two terms may mean the same thing, but entrepreneurs are making a switch from "vegan" to "plant-based" for branding reasons, and they explain why. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Originally broadcast June 9, 2025: Anders Norell is noted for serenading Taiwan audiences with the musical magic his flute brings. Norell has made his mark as the principal flute with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan Although he’s travelled and performed extensively throughout the whole world, he has never forgets the Swedish countryside where he grew up, which impacts his music to this d...

It should be a given that all animals, regardless of what their natural habitats are, feel pain. Gothenburg University Professor Lynne Sneddon, who is in Taiwan for the Asia for Animals Conference, has done extensive research on just that -- and she talks about how to better care for fish so their lives are pain-free -- whether they live in lakes, streams, oceans, and home aquariums. Hosted by ICR...

He is one of Taiwan's most successful career public servants. Jason Hu (胡志強) has served across most levels of executive government and has the knowledge and wisdom to show for it. He shares stories from his life -- and his new book -- with ICRT's Hope Ngo and Tim Berge. A full version of the interview will follow. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Archive film isn't for everyone -- but for film buffs who are interested in Taiwan's film history, there is the Taiwan Film and Audio Visual Institute, which owns the most extensive collection of old films and newsreels in Taiwan. Its Director Iris Du talks about the importance of maintaining a film archive and. Hosted by I-C-R-T's Hope Ngo. A part of TFAI's library may be accessed through its You...

What does it take to turn a passion into a business? Te Company founder Elena Liao talks about how she took a passing interest in tea into a thriving tea boutique serving up teas and pastries, located in Manhattan's West Village. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. Learn more about Te Company here . -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In late 1978, Taiwan faced one of its most impactful challenges, when Washington announced plans to switch recognition to Beijing. Fears rose over Taiwan potentially losing one of its strongest allies. Members of the international community also worried about many other practical concerns, such as the continuation of English-language radio in Taiwan, and international schooling for their children....

Former legislator and death metal rocker Freddy Lim can draw on many experiences as inspiration for his music, though nothing prepared him for the discovery which led to the composition of his latest song, Endless Aeons . It's a discovery that was triggered by his time at the Legislative Yuan as a parliamentarian, and which partly led to his decision to step down from elective office. Hosted by I....

What does it take to go solo as a Pop/R&B singer and songwriter in Canada? Canadian-Taiwanese artist Chynna (pronounced "China") shares the joys and the challenges she encountered on journey as an Asian-American artist. Lewis spoke to us after her first journey back to Taiwan as a performer. She's currently working on her second album, which is slated for release in the Winter of 2025. Hosted...

Under normal circumstances, many of us don't think too much about the value of the NT Dollar -- unless we're traveling that is. But that changed at the beginning of May when the value of our currency made a sudden, sharp climb against the US Dollar. Chief Global Strategist for Nikko Asset Management Naomi Fink looks at the impact of that event on Taiwan's financial markets, whether Taiwan experien...

The Trump administration has backed down on an earlier, hardline attitude towards the visa status of certain international students, even though it is still cracking down on America's top universities. What does this mean for students who have decided to study in America, or who are already there? Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a global company that provides higher education analytics, insights, and...

It was on the first day of Taiwan's four day Tomb Sweeping (清明) Festival weekend that businessmen woke up to the news that Taiwan could expect a 32 percent%, on top of a standard 10% tariff on all its exports to the United States. But just hours after it took effect, that immense tariff was suspended for 90 days. How some businesses responded to the first announcement, and what it should do with...

Former KMT lawmaker-at-large Jason Hsu made his mark in office by promoting tech, and embracing the idea of reaching across the aisle and working for the good of Taiwan. He shares the inspiring story of his life before his departure for the United States with Hope Ngo. First aired August 29, 2022. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

It's a busy hive of hipster cafes, hair salons, and independent book shops. But there is more to Taipei's Chifeng Street than meets the eye, and it took a tour with Nadia Lin to get to get to know this fascinating neighborhood. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Launching a new career isn't easy. So why would anyone (willingly) do it twice in one lifetime? Three guests -- two from the US and one based in Taiwan-- share their their experiences involving their dramatic mid-career pivots. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Artist Ting Ting Cheng uses a traumatic experience to educate in her recent show " They told me it's not your fault. And I told them everything will be fine ." Held at Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei, Cheng explores digital gender-based violence which the United Nations Population Fund says is most likely to impact women and girls, minorities and the marginalized. Hosted by ICRT's Tim Be...

London-based Taiwanese wine writer, translator, certified WSET wine educator, Leona di Pasquale turned a passion into a profession when she first began learning about, then talking about Taiwan's best loved beverages from tea to wines and spirits. Hosted by Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn