DPP launches English podcast to highlight geopolitical issues in election

Taipei, Sept. 28 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced on Thursday it has launched an English podcast featuring foreign experts discussing geopolitical issues to fuel discussions about international affairs of concern to Taiwan in the presidential campaign, with the first show available from Sept. 26.

Currently available on various platforms, Global Voices on Taiwan will roll out four episodes a month discussing how to increase Taiwan's international exchanges and maintain cross-Taiwan Strait peace, Vincent Chao (趙怡翔), the head of the DPP's International Affairs, said.

The launch of the podcast comes a little over 100 days before the presidential election on Jan. 13 and is co-hosted by Chao, a spokesperson for the DPP's presidential nominee and Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), and Rath Wang (王健智), a senior presenter on international news.

Intended to serve as a focal point for listeners to understand how the world views Taiwan and how Taiwan can enhance international cooperation, the program will invite politicians, scholars and opinion leaders from different countries with diverse perspectives to join talks, Chao said.

However, the program will refrain from delving into Taiwan's internal political dynamics or having foreign guests comment on Taiwan's election issues, said Chao, who is a Taipei city councilor.

Among the guests in the first two episodes are David Sacks, a researcher at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Miles Yu (余茂春), head of the China Center at Hudson Institute, who discuss their views on cross-strait relations, industry collaboration, and Taiwan-U.S. relations, Chao said.

In related news, Lai pledged to prioritize policies boosting the nation's economic development when he addressed supporters from the beauty and hairdressing industry and later manufacturers at an industrial park during campaign events in Taichung Thursday.

Although there has been progress in the overall economy in recent years, it was also severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lai said, vowing to create a better environment for enterprises to thrive and young people to start their own businesses.