Taiwan Salon Season 5
Taiwan Salon is a podcast produced by the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI), a 501(c)3 policy think tank in Washington, DC.
Hosted by members of GTI’s staff, Taiwan Salon examines Taiwan’s cultural policy and approach to soft power from perspectives both inside and outside the government. Through interviews, the series illuminates how Taiwan’s unique history and culture interacts with policy and pinpoints opportunities and challenges for future “soft” engagement between Taiwan and the United States.
EPISODES
Episode 4: Is AI a New Form of Colonization? Defending Indigenous Sovereignty in A Tech World ft. Margaret Yun-Pu Tu
In the fourth episode of Taiwan Salon Season 5, former GTI Communications Associate Yuchen Lee and GTI Ya-Hui Chiu Summer Fellow Cara Bilson interview Margaret Yun-Pu Tu, a PhD candidate in Law at the University of Washington and co-founder of the Seattle-based NGO Pacific Alliance for Autonomous Traditions, Indigenous Sovereignty (PAFATIS). Ms. Tu explores the impact of AI on indigenous cultures and how maintaining data sovereignty is essential for indigenous groups globally and within Taiwan.
Ms. Tu discusses how unauthorized data collection through large language models (LLMs) and careless AI-generated content undermines the autonomy Indigenous communities have fought hard to achieve. Moreover, such exploitation extends beyond technology into broader diplomatic practices when it comes to Indigenous cultural diplomacy. However, she also highlights how solutions may be found in grassroots tech initiatives and responsible legislation that elevate Indigenous perspectives in the crafting of public policy.
Episode 3: Indigenous Peoples, Global Ties: Reimagining Taiwan through Its Pacific Roots ft. Margaret Yun-Pu Tu (a.k.a. Nikal Kabala’an)
In this episode, GTI Communications Associate Yuchen Lee and Spring 2026 Intern Cara Bilson speak with Margaret Yun-Pu Tu, a PhD candidate in Law at the University of Washington and co-founder of the Seattle-based NGO Pacific Alliance for Autonomous Traditions, Indigenous Sovereignty (PAFATIS). Margaret shares her experience representing Taiwan at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), where Taiwanese Indigenous communities can circumvent diplomatic constraints and engage directly with Indigenous movements worldwide.
Episode 2: When K-POP Meets Hakka: The International Engagement of Hakka TV ft. Paul Shiang and I-Li Lo
In this episode, GTI Communications Associate Yuchen Lee sits down with Paul Shiang (向盛言), Director of Hakka TV, and I-Li Lo (羅亦娌), Program Manager of Hakka TV. I-Li walks us through the behind-the-scenes of this Taiwan-Korea collaboration, while Paul explores Hakka TV’s evolving role in fostering resilience among global democracies.
Episode 1: Can Television Save a Language? The Story of Hakka TV ft. Paul Shiang and I-Li Lo
In the first episode of Taiwan Salon Season 5, GTI Communications Associate Yuchen Lee interviews Paul Shiang (向盛言), Director of Hakka TV, and I-Li Lo (羅亦娌), Program Manager of Hakka TV. Through various TV programs, their work not only sheds light on the vibrant Hakka culture, but also engages in the dialogues with the world using their unique Hakka perspectives.