Just a note to say...

I haven't eaten any plums

You may have come to expect a HopeFul Conversation today and a Takeover tomorrow. But…

This is just a note to say I don’t have those columns for you this week.

Like many of you, I am giving things a bit of a rethink. And so are some of my planned collaborators for those two columns. So I am giving them a break.

No time like the present to ask ourselves: “What are our priorities?”, right?

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INVISIBLE NATION… Phase 2 begins

Vanessa and I are currently in Taipei for the opening of INVISIBLE NATION today. We just got a huge thrill!

President Tsai just posted to her Facebook:

“🎬 “#TheInvisibleNation” premieres in Taiwan today, and I sincerely invite everyone to step into the theater and watch this deeply meaningful documentary.

This is not a documentary about me — it’s a documentary about Taiwan. It tells the story of how we, once an overlooked and suppressed “invisible nation,” have steadily made our way onto the global stage. Through our steadfast commitment to democratic values, our deep appreciation for a free and diverse society, and our relentless efforts and breakthroughs in technology and economic strength, the world is finally beginning to see Taiwan.

I want to thank director Vanessa Hope and her team for creating such a moving piece of work. They’ve ensured that Taiwan’s story is no longer a forgotten footnote, but a powerful narrative faithfully recorded and shared with the world — breaking free from the fate of being ignored or hidden. This film helps more people come to know Taiwan — a small, mountainous island that is both beautiful and resilient.

Once an “invisible nation” in the world, we have come to truly see ourselves — to see the courage of the Taiwanese people and the resilience of democratic Taiwan.

Thank you to the people of Taiwan for working with me over the past eight years. And as we face an ever-changing international landscape, I hope both sides of the political aisle can stand united, and that the people will continue to show resilience, moving forward steadily together with the government.

#TheInvisibleNation”

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/12/2003838490