A recent trio of articles in Time Magazine has led to backlash in Taiwan, particularly seeing as the three articles frame current Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te as being dangerously pro-independence. The three articles are by thinktank analyst Lyle Goldstein, retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel Zhou Bo, and Time editor Charlie Campbell.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it never occurred to Time that a Taiwanese voice should be included in a discussion about Taiwan’s future, instead confining discussion solely to Westerners and Chinese nationals. This backlash against Taiwan proves ironic–the DPP has long been lambasted by foreign correspondents based in Taiwan for privileging Time Magazine above any other publication when it came to features, interviews, or profiles of heads of state. It is probable that the articles were released ahead of an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in which the two will discuss Taiwan, in an attempt to influence Trump’s decision-making.

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