TAIWAN

overview

At the heart of one of Asia’s most contested regions, Taiwan is an island shaped by waves of migration, conquest and cultural exchange.

From the Austronesian peoples who first settled its shores to the Dutch, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese forces who each left their mark, Taiwan’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. The arrival of Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist government in 1949 not only reshaped Taiwan’s political future but also transformed it into the unlikely guardian of China’s imperial treasures – preserving centuries of dynastic art and history. Today, Taiwan’s thriving democracy and distinct identity stand in sharp contrast to Beijing’s calls for ‘reunification’, raising urgent questions about history, sovereignty and belonging.

Join historian Judy Tenzing for a timely and thought-provoking exploration of Taiwan – its complex past and the geopolitical tensions that define its future.