The European Research Center on Contemporary Taiwan - A CCK Foundation Overseas Center

Prof. Weng Lu-Chung 翁履中 from the Department of Political Science at Sam Houston State University, in his capacity as an ERCCT Visiting Scholar, gave a public lecture titled "The Myth of War in the Taiwan Strait: Can Beijing, Taipei, and Washington solve the Yizhou Dilemma?" on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. In the lecture, which was based on a book that Prof. Weng recently published with his co-author Prof. Sun Taiyi, he compared the political structure of China during the period of the Three Kingdoms to the current relation between the U.S., the PRC, and Taiwan, before reporting on the result of elite interviews in each of the three. His talk was followed by a spirited discussion with the audience. 

Friday, October 18, 2024, was a great day for the ERCCT.  The President of the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange, Prof. Chen Chun-I 陳純一, led a delegation of the Foundation to visit the University of Tübingen and our center. 
The delegation, which in addition to President Chen also consisted of CCKF policy advisor Prof. Angela Ki Che Liang 梁其姿 and Senior Executive Officer Claire Chan 詹語甄, was first received in the morning by the University of Tübingen's President and Vice-Chancelor Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. (Dôshisha) Karla Pollmann and Vice-President Prof. Dr. Monique Scheer. After an exchange of formal addresses, in the presence also of ERCCT Director Prof. Gunter Schubert, Co-Director Prof. Tseng Yu-chin, Managing Director Stefan Braig, President Chen and President Pollmann signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the continuation of support for and operation of the CCKF-ERCCT.  Coordinator of Exchange Programs with Asia at the university's International Office Mr. Franziska Waschek, and Dr. Cand. Philip Scherer form the Department of International Research Cooperation also joined the occasion. 
After a subsequent exchange of ideas with Prof. Scheer on international academic cooperation, the delegation then visited the premises of the ERCCT at Keplerstraße 2. Here President Chen, Prof. Angela Leung and Prof. Schubert discussed perspectives on the research funding landscape in Taiwan and Germany. 
Lunch was then kindly hosted by Vice-President Scheer, before the delegation went for a guided city tour through the historical city center of Tübingen, accompanied by Director Schubert and MD Stefan Braig. 
The program of the day concluded with a blitheful dinner at one of Tübingen's nicest restaurants, Historical Tavern "The Trout".

From July 8 to 12, the ERCCT continued the Taiwan Europe Connectivity Workshop series by hosting 13 aspiring scholars from various institutions in Taiwan and Europe at the lovely university guest house for them to present and discuss their research projects among each other and with ERCCT Fellows. 
After warm welcoming remarks delivered by ERCCT Co-Director Prof. Tseng Yu-chin, Koh Hyemin  from the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies at National Cheng Chi University gave the first presentation of the workshop, speaking on 'China's Cognitive Warfare and Taiwan's Elections in 2024'. Continuing this panel on Cross-Strait Relationswas Ku Ming-I from the International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies at National Chengchi University with 'Impacts of China's Cognitive Warfare in the 2024 Taiwan Presidential Election and Taiwan's Response Strategies'. Sze Woon Miller from the Lau China Institute at King's College London the turned the focus from  cognitive warfare to Taiwan's mental readiness for actual warfare by introducing participants to her Ph.D. project on 'Taiwan's Civil Society and Military Transformation: How Taiwanese Identity and Culture Shape Understanding of the Security Threat'. Yet another perspective on Cross-Strait Relations, namely the one from Mando Pop studies was brought in by Liu Chang from the Heidelberg Center of Transcultural Studies. His presentation was titled 'Kris Phillips, A Twofold Narrative of Return', analysing the case of Fei Hsiang, a pop singer born to an american father and a mainlander Taiwanese mother, who became a big hit in the PRC in the late eighties. 
On Tuesday, July 9, Lee Shih-Min from the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies at National Chengchi University opened the panel on Geopolitics and International Relations by delivering his presenation titled 'Analysis of Whether the CCP's Foreign Policy Represents Geopolitical Hegemony from 2010 to 2023: A Case Study of the South China Sea'. Klára Schwarzová from the Department of Asian Studies at Palacky University in Olomouc followed with 'An Assessment of Taiwan's Soft Power in the Czeck Republic: a Case Study'. Then, after using the opportunity of a sunshiny coffebreak to take a group photo, Fiodar Piacherski from the Graduate Institute of Taiwan History at National Chengchi University introduced the historical dimension to the panel, presenting on the 'Legal Implications of the Tuapse "Seizure": Understanding the Taiwan-Soviet Conflict within International Legal Frameworks'.
The programme on Wednesday, July 10, then featured two panels, one on IR Theory and one on Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples. Contributors to the first one were Dr Liu Hui-Chun 劉慧純 from the Centre of Taiwan Studies at SOAS pondering the question 'How Has Chinese Scholarship Constructed Chinese-characteristic International Relations Theory and Their Implications for International Order?' and Lin Yi-Hui from the Institute of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, who spoke about 'Everyday Reproduction fo State Sovereignty in Taiwan'. Dr Agathe Lemaitre from the LISE (CNAM, CNRS) in Paris next opened the panel on Indigenous Peoples. Her topic was 'When categories dictate reality: Re-scaling the wildlife through the example of the Paiwan relationship with the extinct clouded leopard'. Lin Wan-Jou from the Deparmtent of Taiwan Cutlure, Languages and Literature at National Taiwan Normal University rounded the panel off, speaking about 'Decades of Relocation: Indigenous Women and Their Fight for Land Rights'. 
Sociological themes were then explored during the mornning of Thursday, July 11. Chang Ting-She from the Department of Sociology at National Taiwan University presented 'Channeling Prison Healthcare with Punishment and Rehabilitation: Care Practice and "Just" Care Infrastructures in Taiwanese Penal Institutions', followed by Dr Lu Meng-Tsung from the Institure of Sociology at Academia Sinica with 'How to Make an Elephant Dance? An Analysis of Taiwan's Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming from the Institutional Logics Perspective'.
Apart from the project presentations, the workshop also featured contributions from the side of the ERCCT itself. ERCCT Director Prof. Gunter Schubert introduced the center’s objectives and programmes on the afternoon of the first day. On Tuesday afternoon ( July 9) Ms. Paula Silvetti, an experienced city guide took the participants to a city tour centering on the history and the most picturesque historical buildings of Tübingen University and city. The following punting boat tour on the Neckar River provided for a very relaxed end of the day. ERCCT team members and fellows briefly presented their individual research projects on Wednesday afternoon. A group discussion on ‘Political Polarization in Taiwan’ showed exactly how Taiwan's democracy suffers from polarization. The social programme featured a visit to Hohenzollern Castle (July 11, afternoon) and to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on Friday, July 12, before the workshop was closed with a cheerful dinner at the Castle of Hohenentringen.

The ERCCT team is delighted about the visit of Prof. Huang Yu-Ling 黃于玲, a sociologist from the School of Medicine at National Cheng Kung University. Prof. Huang will visit the ERCCT from 7 June to 2 July. On Monday, 10 June, she will present her research project 'Gender, Culture, and Reproductive Medicine: Comparative Research of Regulatory Logics, Clinical Care, and (Non)Anonymity Donation of Assisted Reproductive Technologies' in the Taiwan Colloquium at 4.15 p.m. (room 1.81, Keplerstraße 2).

On Wednesday, 12 June, Prof. Huang will then give a public lecture titled 'A sociological analysis of gamete donation regulations and experiences in Taiwan' at 12.15 p.m. at the same venue. The talk will analyse how assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are co-shaped with regulations, societal values, and human dignity that make diverse practices in different societies. Taiwan has one of the most rigorous regulations of third-party donation in the world, yet we know little about the donors’ knowledge and attitudes toward their donation laws, clinical practices, and the rights of donor-conceived children. And so, the ethical challenges of egg-donations are also to be discussed. 

On Monday, May 13, Dr. Lorenzo Andolfatto, Senior Researcher of the Human Georgaphy Research Unit at the Department of Geosciences at the Universtiy of Fribourg, came to Tübingen to present his latest research on the historoy of National Parks in Taiwan in the Taiwan Colloquium. His talk, titled 'In between Nature and the Nation: Defining National Parks in Taiwan, 1933-1972', was based on extensive archival research and delved into the history or employing national parks for nation building in Taiwan since the Japanese colonial era. Dr. Lee Kyonghee from the MPIWG in Berlin took over the role as a discussant and provided valuable feedback, upon which the Q&A also involved the wider audience. 

The 17th Taiwan Documentary Film Festival, unfolded at the Kino Arsenal cinema on December 1 and 2, 2023. Showcasing a collection of captivating documentaries by Golden-Horse-Award winner and guest director Huang Hsin-Yao 黄信堯, the festival drew cinema enthusiasts and scholars alike.
 The festival showcased four riveting documentaries by Huang Hsin-Yao, commencing on December 1 with screenings of "Dog with Man" and "Ali88." These films offered profound insights into contemporary Taiwanese society, exploring multifaceted narratives and societal nuances. On the same evening, audiences were treated to the thought-provoking feature film "The Great Buddha+," a highlight of the festival's lineup.
Alltogether, the festival featured the following works by Huang: 
"Dog with Man"
"Ali88"
"Bluffing"
"Taivalu"
"The Great Buddha+"
Renowned director Huang Hsin-Yao graced the festival as the guest director, bringing his unique perspective and expertise to the event. His presence added depth and resonance to the screenings, offering audiences a firsthand understanding of the creative process behind his compelling documentaries and feature film.
On the occasion, the ERCCT also received Dr. Dieu Ian-Tsing 趙彥清, Director General of the Taipei Representative Branch Office in the Federal Republic of Germany's Munich branch office. Dr. Dieu, who has also  generously sponsored the festival, delivered a warm and inspiring welcome speech, highlighting the cultural significance of the festival in fostering cross-cultural understanding through cinema.
The festival garnered substantial interest, drawing a diverse audience comprising film enthusiasts, scholars, and individuals eager to explore the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture and society depicted in the documentaries. The interactive sessions following the screenings provided a platform for engaging discussions, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the thematic layers explored in each film.
The 17th Taiwan Documentary Film Festival, hosted by ERCCT at the University of Tübingen and held at the Kino Arsenal cinema, stood as a celebration of Taiwanese cinema and cultural exchange. Through the lens of Huang Hsin-Yao's evocative documentaries, the festival succeeded in fostering dialogue and appreciation for the multifaceted narratives embedded in Taiwanese society.
The event's success was a testament to the growing interest in Taiwanese cinema and its ability to bridge cultural gaps, offering a glimpse into the diverse and vibrant tapestry of Taiwanese life. This festival not only entertained but also enriched the audience's understanding of Taiwan's cultural heritage, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.

On May 3rd, Prof. Gunter Schubert, ERCCT director, visited the Department of Sociology and the Institute of Political Science at National Zhongshan University in Kaohsiung, which are long-term ERCCT partner institutions. He held a talk and gave an ERCCT work report to faculty and students. Prof. Schubert, who has been in Taiwan since early March, also visited other ERCCT partners and briefed them on the ERCCT's activities under the current conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

More pictures from the event

The International Journal of Taiwan Studies is pleased to announce the 2021 IJTS Research Article Competition. Since its launch in 2018, IJTS (ISSN: 2468-8800, https://brill.com/view/journals/ijts/ijts-overview.xml) has established itself as a principal outlet for the dissemination of cutting-edge research on Taiwan. IJTS is the first internationally collaborative, multidisciplinary, and peer-reviewed academic research journal in English dedicated to all aspects of Taiwan studies, including social sciences, arts and humanities, and topics which are interdisciplinary in nature. To continue the development of Taiwan studies and with the financial support of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS), we announce a call for papers for the 2021 IJTS Research Article Competition. There are three categories of articles for entry:

•    Arts and Humanities
•    Social Sciences
•    Indigenous Studies

Each research article can only be entered in one category. IJTS Executive Editorial Board members and IJTS Advisory Board members are not eligible to enter the Competition. 

For further details see the announcement PDF!
 

In the final session of the Taiwan Colloquium of the winter semester 2020-2021, Prof. Tseng Hsun-Hui 曾薰慧 from the Department of Taiwan Literature at National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, talked about her research project on Vietnamese mariage migrants engaged in Taiwan's sex entertainment industry and the ways in which they come to terms with being mothers and sex-workers at the same time. The presentation, based on longterm field research, was titled "Motherhood and Moral Economy: The Art of Negotiation of Marriage Migrants Engaged in the Sex Entertainment Industry in Taiwan".

Prof. Zhan Min-xu  詹閩旭 from the Graduate Institute of Taiwan Literature and Transnational Cultural Studies at National Chung Hsing University (Taichung) made a very interesting contribution to the Taiwan Colloquium with his talk "Taiwan Literature from a Southern Perspective" on Monday, February 1, 2021. In his talk, Prof. Zhan gave interesting insights into the motivation of contemporary writers to spell out their imaginations of the Global South. 

Prof. Lee Po-Han 李柏翰 from the Global Health Programme of National Taiwan University's College of Public Health gave a talk in the Taiwan Colloquium on Monday, January 18, 2021. Speaking on the topic of "Solidarity with whom? Repositioning Taiwan beyond the WHO's epidemiological (inter)nationalism", Prof. Lee first introduced the post-WWII international pandemic response regime with a particular focus on the International Health Regulations of 2005 and then discussed the multiple positions of Taiwan / the Republic of China in this context.

Under the headline "We're in this Fight Together", the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)  has launched a Taiwan Global Anti-Covid-19 Pavillion, a websiteoffering information on Taiwan's anti-Covid-19 resources in English, which can be found at https://www.anti-covid-19.tw 

For more information, please download the following documents: 
Introduction_Taiwan_Global_Anti-COVID-19_Pavilion
News_Release_Taiwan_Global_Anti-COVID-19_Pavilion

On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the ERCCT, in cooperation with China Centrum Tübingen (CCT), hosted an online talk and discussion with Chris Berry, professor of film studies at King's College London. Entitled "Modernity, Gender, Sexuality: Social Values in Taiyupian", the talk referred to two Taiwanese movies that are part of the project on taiyupian  台語片, "Taiwan's Lost Commercial Cinema" (by film scholars Prof. Berry and Dr. Ming-Yeh Rawnsley). One was "Foolish Bride, Naive Bridegroom" 三八新娘憨女婿, a comedy from 1967 by Xin Qi, and the second, "Like Father, Like Daughter" 前世情人的情人, was a modern sequel to the first. Both films have been available to registered users to be viewed online for four days prior to the event.