Taiwan is facing pressure on every front — from small businesses navigating tariffs, to energy vulnerabilities exposed by China’s shadow tactics, to the global race for AI and semiconductors. In this episode, we explore President Lai’s push to merge SMEs into stronger players, warnings that Taiwan’s LNG lifelines could be choked, and the government’s pledge to build a “non-red” supply chain for chips. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim makes the case for AI as Taiwan’s next growth engine, while Premier Cho touts new investments to hit NT$6 trillion in semiconductor output. At SEMICON Taiwan, Dutch journalist Marc Hijink shines a spotlight on the unique TSMC–ASML partnership and the talent challenge ahead. Together, these stories show Taiwan’s resilience — and the fragile trust that keeps its economic future connected to the world.

This special episode is the full-length interview of a coral expert taken from RTI's YouTube series Undercurrents!

If you’re a student — welcome back to school! The semester has just started in Taiwan in September. In today’s episode, we’ll get to know some fun and useful Taiwanese phrases related to campus life and learning. Whether you’re meeting new friends or talking about homework, these expressions will help you get ready for the new semester.    ●Words to Know: 1. 開學 khai-ha̍k (n.) the start of school 2. 讀冊 tha̍k-tsheh (v.) to study 3. 老師 lāu-su (n.) teacher 4. 同學 tông-o̍h (n.) classmate 5. 智識 tì-sik (n.) knowledge   ●Idiom of the week: 讀冊，讀佇尻脊骿。Tha̍k-tsheh, tha̍k tī kha-tsiah-phiann. (Studying mechanically without real understanding.)

We are once again going to be joined by our dearest intern, David and Thao. In previous episodes, we talked about their life in Taiwan, their university, and the comparison between Vietnam and Taiwan. Now, we will take a look at some letters and emails together.  If you want to contact us and have your message read on air, you can send a letter to P.O. BOX 123 199 Taipei, Taiwan English@rti.org.tw or reach us on social media, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, @Rtienglish 

Listen to #InTaiwanWeSpeak on podcast platforms of your choice: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music | Other platforms

Red carpets, world premieres, and long ovations... Wanson and Joanne went to one of the most important events in the film industry. Joanne experienced it with the 3-Day in Cannes pass, whereas I covered it with a press badge. How was our experience? Is it easy to apply for a badge? Stay tuned to find out! If you would like to share your feedback, please send your words or voice notes to: wanson@rti.org.tw You can also find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café)

The wild boar snare is a hunting device that indiscriminately traps, mangles, and often kills unsuspecting victims. Such victims include stray cats and dogs, but also protected species such as Formosan black bears, Taiwanese leopard cats, and more. Even humans have been injured by such traps. Taiwan's Animal Protection Act bans the use of snares, but manufacturing and selling them is a gray area, and they remain being sold across the internet and local stores. Dr. Chengheng Hu joined the Taiwan One Ecology Colation (TOEC), a team of 12 different organizations, to fight against the snares, and protect animals in Taiwan. For this episode of Formosa Fauna we sit down with Dr. Hu and get an inside look at the basics of the traps, their potential cultural significance, and why a petition with over 10,000 signatures wasn't enough to comprehensively ban them in  Taiwan. Have thoughts on today's episode? Send an email to tristan@rti.org.tw. See you every week for Formosa Fauna Fridays!

World Grandparents' Day makes Michelle think fondly of the lessons we all learn from the older generations.