Author: Eryk Michael Smith

Today, the Kaohsiung Times gratefully begins running John Ross’ Taiwan in 100 Books (2020). It tells the story of Taiwan through the prism of some of the most important and/or most interesting English-language works on the country. Unfortunately, due to some dark publisher drama, the title is not currently available for sale; so, John is making it available here. In the coming months, we will, in weekly installments, be serializing the entire book.

The Neimen Tourism and Recreation Park (內門觀光休閒園區), covering roughly 11.5 hectares, is currently undergoing phased construction, with a soft opening targeted for late 2025.

This documentary is less about destruction than it is about resilience, empathy, and the shared strength that emerges when strangers come together from across Taiwan and beyond.

As fireworks exploded over the stadium, I felt like I was meeting my younger self again — the same kid who saw BLACKPINK for the first time on his birthday in eighth grade. This time, it wasn’t just a concert. It was a memory I will never forget.

By Eryk Michael Smith / Images courtesy of Vincent Hsu Growing up in Kaohsiung, Vincent Hsu (徐崇育) never imagined he would one day perform his own jazz compositions before thousands of people. Sitting down recently with The Kaohsiung Times, Hsu shared the story of how a young man from Taiwan’s southern capital found his way to the international jazz stage. “I played guitar a little when I was young, just basic stuff,” he said with a modest smile. “I loved music, but I never thought it would become my life.” That passion didn’t truly take hold until his mid-twenties —…

Within a year, Kaohsiung may be completely CKS-statue-free. It’s unlikely there will be a ceremony when the last one comes down. Half a century has passed since the Generalissimo’s death, and while Taiwan will never forget his legacy, at least in the south, the former leader will no longer be quite so in-your-face.

The dedication is impressive: they march, shout Latin commands, and re-enact tactical maneuvers. They’ve reportedly staged battles with up to a hundred participants.

The new park will feature three large water slides, shallow splash pools, water swings, and landscaped rest areas shaded by existing trees. Facilities will include changing rooms, restrooms, outdoor showers, and canopy walkways, turning what was once a simple splash zone into a full-scale water playground.

Reviews of new book on “Singapore at 60” mostly agree that this small nation serves as a living example of how discipline, foresight, and unity can turn vulnerability into vision.

Speaking before about a hundred supporters in Kaohsiung, Cheng said a top priority if elected would be to “end the long rule of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Tainan and Kaohsiung.”