Milo Hsieh

Consultant and founder, Safe Spaces (復安空間). Trying hard to keep up on Taiwan. Alum @AU_SIS. He/him/his.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Hey all! Back in DC until Nov 4th. Open to reconnecting if you are still working in the Taiwan/China/Asia policy space, coffee on me!

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

First time experiencing an earthquake so strong that it delayed Taiwan’s high speed rail

[Annie Kowalewski｜梁安妮 @anniekowalewski]

Proud to have worked on the #TaiwanPolicyActof2022 and getting it passed through @SenateForeign yesterday! The manager's package [note: diff from intro'ed text] can be found here: https://t.co/5GogExdKDL. [Final text to be posted soon].

Key provisions to highlight (1/🧵):

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

https://t.co/C2KKpCheyD
Taiwan insurance companies: *sells 'catch covid and get paid' insurance policies, hoping to make $$*
Taiwanese: *bets against own health, buying these policies, line up to get rapid test daily*
Taiwanese: *catches covid en mass*
Insurance companies:😱

[Brian Hioe 丘琦欣 @brianhioe]

Some conflicting reports going around that the gunman for the shooting at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church was waishengren or Chinese (and you can see how those unfamiliar with Taiwan's ethnic politics could conflate the two)

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Revelation of the perpetrator’s political motives during yesterday’s shooting at the Irvine Taiwan Presbyterian church is absolutely messed up… How can someone justify going after elders and churchgoers over an ideal fabricated by an authoritarian government?

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

I look at the oyster. How long has it been there in the air? The lettuce is in a bucket that has near pure green water. Shit I just also saw a rat as I typed this tweet. Nevertheless, I close my eyes and enjoy the gooey goodness called oyster omelette and my stinky tofu.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Just went to the post office and used rice glue to seal my package.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

*starts feeling a shake as I am in caffeine-fueled extra focus mode* Am I about to faint, have a panic attack, start tripping!!?? *realizes I am in Taiwan and it’s just an earthquake*

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Looking for housing in Taipei be like “wow this room would cost five to ten times more to rent in DC”

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

WHEN <M train stops running for 20 minute because someone got onto the track> BUT YOU JUST WANT TO <get that sweet sweet under-10-dollar roast duck over rice meal from Wah Fung #1> AND <even the old lady is complaining about how she craves her Chinese food>

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

With gas price at 4.19 (down from 4.39 two weeks ago) and the convoy finally out of DC, finally I can live without temporary fuel surcharges during my final two weeks here before leaving for Taiwan.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Not gonna lie, but after a weekend away from town, I can’t wait to get stuck during morning commute while listening to WAMU, go into really short buildings, and have everyone ask me about what I do, and maybe go across the river for a date tomorrow! #mydcwithdrawal

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Sometimes, it’s best to take some time off all media. There is no need to see an analogy in Taiwan and Ukraine because the two are different. I’m looking at how the TW gov stirs artificial anxiety in order to translate it into anti-China sentiments.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

This morning, Taiwan Twitter blew up all over Ukraine, even everyday “translator-influencers” and people without specialized knowledge on the region posted. It’s okay to not have a take sometimes. The flood of low-quality information just bamboozles the public with misinfo.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

I walk into a cafe in downtown dc. The cashier complains about how the “jambon buerre” (sic) sandwich costs almost 20 dollar. I agreed: it costs half for a sandwich near where I live. I bit into the sandwich. There was no butter. Aren’t we all trying to be someone we’re not here.

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

It’s alive: DOD releases 2021 report on China Military Power. https://t.co/rvKIiFxNqt

[Milo Hsieh @MiloHsieh]

Here at @wutrain campaign in Boston @ the Boston Center for the Arts, where Michelle Wu is about to appear to make a speech. Only 22% vote reported showing a lead for Wu, but supporters seem confident she will win.

[Ketagalan Media @KetagalanMedia]

What is the significance of Taiwan's first political series?
In this exclusive interview with Ketagalan Media, 國際橋牌社 @Island__Nation producer Issac Wang answers questions: Island Nation’s significance and implications for modern-day Taiwan.

https://t.co/MZh6c2Wfoh