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Ashish Valentine

@ashishval.bsky.social
487 followers 736 following 76 posts

Journalist covering Taiwan for NPR, National Geographic, and several other outlets. Often writing about social issues, culture, and politics in Taiwan and Asia. DM for email and Signal. www.npr.org/people/901980555/ashish…

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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
A new Chinese state-supported TV series, "Jiaofeng 交锋" or "The Long Watch" has turned the past few decades of espionage between China and Taiwan into a highly rated 40-episode spy drama. I took a look for @theworld.org theworld.org/segments/202...
theworld.org
Top-rated Chinese TV series depicts espionage against Taiwan - The World from PRX
Dismissed in Taiwan as propaganda, the Chinese television spy drama “Jiaofeng,” or “The Long Watch,” has proved a sensation across the strait with its references to real-life political crises. Since i...
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
During Taiwan's nearly four decades of martial law (1949-1987), independent Hokkien-language films or Taiyupian 台語片 were some of the few outlets for creative expression. For @npr.org I profiled some of the folks saving and restoring these films for future generations. www.npr.org/2026/09/19/n...
npr.org
Taiwan's lost films hold the sounds and stories of a vanishing era
Researchers in Taiwan are racing to restore a crucial piece of the island's film history, before it's lost forever.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Glad you appreciated the piece Ben!
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
"Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are values, but they are also vulnerabilities,” Yu Chihhao, of the think tank IORG told me. “It doesn’t mean that we stop believing in these things. We just need to calibrate them, to protect them.”
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Taiwan's government has urged religious groups visiting mainland China to register their trips in advance, and is increasingly worried about China's new ethnic unity law which emphasizes the "Sinicization of religion."
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Many anthropologists and pilgrims told me a function of these pilgrimages is to place Meizhou at the top of Taiwan's complex hierarchy of Mazu temples and emphasize political unity. Some temples in Taiwan pursue close relations with Meizhou, while others do not engage.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
At the center of the Chinese state's rhetoric is Meizhou Island in Fujian province, said to be Mazu's birthplace. Chinese state discourse often describes Meizhou as the "mother" of all Mazu temples, and Mazu worshippers in Taiwan are often encouraged to make pilgrimages there.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
This framing leans on a concept in Chinese folk religion called "fenling" 分靈 or division of spirit, in which a new statue of a deity gains spiritual energy from an older one. Statues of Mazu are often connected to each other through complex chains of association and hierarchy.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Mazu worship was repressed for decades in China under Maoism. But in recent years, the Chinese state has begun to frame Mazu as evidence that people on both sides of the Taiwan strait are "one family," bound by shared ancestors and a shared political destiny.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Every Spring, hundreds of thousands in Taiwan take part in massive pilgrimages, accompanying statues of Mazu for several days on foot. I spent a day at the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage hearing from several people who were there to thank Mazu for healing and protecting their loved ones.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Mazu has long been seen as a protector of fishers and sailors who performs miracles. The earliest Han Chinese migrants sailing to Taiwan from coastal Fujian prayed to her for protection as they crossed the deadly waters of the Taiwan strait, then known as the "Black Ditch."
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
My latest piece for @foreignpolicy.com takes a look at how the ancient sea goddess Mazu, worshipped by millions on both sides of the Taiwan strait, became a focal point of China's pro-unification influence campaign in Taiwan. foreignpolicy.com/2026/07/17/c...
foreignpolicy.com
Beijing Is Trying to Turn Taiwan’s Sea Goddess Into a Chinese Agent
China wants to use the ancient deity Mazu to push unification narratives.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Learned a lot from @yilingliu95.bsky.social 's latest op-ed on AI anxiety in China, which reveals the US-China race to build more advanced AI models is often seen by working people on both sides as a race to the bottom. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Shared Feeling of Being Harvested by the Future
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Reposted by Ashish Valentine
Jennifer Pak @jpak25.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
China's Xi Jinping held a rare meeting with Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's opposition KMT party. It comes ahead of a summit with President Trump, where Xi is likely to bring up his opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan ... w/ @ashishval.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/04/10/n...
npr.org
China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader ahead of key summit with Trump
Xi Jinping and the KMT's Cheng Li-wun agreed to pursue peace, but Taiwan's ruling party worries it will enable Beijing to undermine its democracy.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
My latest for @npr.org alongside @jpak25.bsky.social : Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun may meet Xi Jinping later this week. She says the safety of Taiwan is her priority, though Taiwan's government doubts her visit will lower tensions. www.npr.org/2026/04/07/n...
npr.org
Taiwan's opposition leader arrives in China for a 'Journey of Peace'
The visit takes place ahead of President Trump's own summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month, where Taiwan is expected to be a top agenda item.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
My latest for @npr.org : A report by the US director of national intelligence assessed China likely does not plan to invade Taiwan in 2027. It's reignited partisan divisions in Taiwan as lawmakers debate $40 billion in defense spending to counter China. www.npr.org/2026/03/31/n...
npr.org
Taiwan reacts to U.S. intelligence report about China's intentions
A recent U.S. intelligence report reignited an already contentious debate in Taiwan over China's intentions and how Taipei should reasonably defend itself against its powerful neighbor.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I joined @cnnipr.bsky.social's One World with Zain Asher to discuss the impact of the Iran war on Asian economies. Highlights: China is relatively secure. High-income East Asia is stressed but surviving. Lower-income nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh are especially hard-hit. Here's a clip:
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Reposted by Ashish Valentine
NPR @npr.org · 14/03/2026
Despite rising tensions between the world's two largest economies, a growing number of young Americans are becoming captivated by China, as seen in the online trend "Chinamaxxing." n.pr/4sIOpGg
n.pr
Some Gen Z Americans can't stop 'Chinamaxxing'
Despite rising tensions between the world's two largest economies, a growing number of young Americans are becoming captivated by China, as seen in the online trend "Chinamaxxing."
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Glad you appreciated Ai-men!
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
My latest for @npr.org : Why are Gen Z Americans obsessed with China? Livestreamer Hasan Piker told me life in the US "is just getting worse... then I turn on TikTok, and I see a video of Chongqing. They've got trains everywhere and it's this fascinating city." www.npr.org/2026/03/13/n...
npr.org
Some Gen Z Americans can't stop 'Chinamaxxing'
Despite rising tensions between the world's two largest economies, a growing number of young Americans are becoming captivated by China, as seen in the online trend "Chinamaxxing."
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
新年快樂 🔥 🐎
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
My latest for @npr.org : In China, the year of the horse has taken on an uncanny association with Draco Malfoy. Take a listen to find out why: www.npr.org/2026/02/18/n...
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
I regularly offer advice to aspiring journalists from marginalized communities on navigating the industry. The Washington Post layoffs are just the latest in a series of events that have genuinely left me wondering what to say to these people today.
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Reposted by Ashish Valentine
James Griffiths @jamestgriffiths.com · 03/02/2026
Incredible graphic from NYT showing the depth of Xi Jinping's purge of China's military leadership in recent years: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Glad you appreciated the piece!
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
I'll do my best
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Thanks "Puddles"! Your game livestreams are so wholesome too
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Taiwan is home to over 400 butterfly species, 55 of which are found nowhere else in the world. For National Geographic, I reported on the migratory purple crow butterflies, which gather in the tens of thousands in valleys like Maolin in southern Taiwan every winter.
nationalgeographic.com
Inside Taiwan's 'butterfly kingdom,' a rare natural wonder takes place every year
Every winter, a marvelous spectacle occurs as hundreds of thousands of butterflies travel south across Taiwan in one of the world’s most rare migrations.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
My latest for @npr.org : Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te has promised billions in additional defense spending to counter escalating military threats from China. But his ambitions have stalled in the legislature, where opposition parties have blocked his special defense budget eight times so far.
npr.org
The Taiwanese president's proposal to hike defense spending faces gridlock at home
Opposition parties are slamming the brakes on billions in defense funding as the China escalates military pressure.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Latest for @npr.org : Based on today's economic data "China hasn't just survived the trade war with the US, it has in fact thrived," says @eurasiagroup.net analyst Dan Wang. But that strength isn't reflected in Chinese consumer spending. www.npr.org/2026/01/19/n...
npr.org
China's economy is rising, but many citizens are left behind, analysts say
China's National Bureau of Statistics released data on its 2025 GDP growth Monday. Analysts say it reveals strong economic growth for the country, but ordinary people still face deep challenges.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
Migrant workers marched to the Legislative Yuan in Taipei this afternoon, calling for an end to the 12-year time limit to how long they can live in Taiwan. They dressed up as expired meat and bombs with 12-year fuses, arguing that the time limit treats their bodies and labor as disposable.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Weeks after deadly floods, many Amis Indigenous residents of Hualien held a rally outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei to protest disaster recovery measures currently being discussed by KMT lawmakers that they worry could force them to relocate from their homes.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
My latest for @npr.org : Doxxing, death threats, and detentions are becoming routine threats for journalists across Asia. Here's a look at how reporters from the Philippines, Indonesia and other places adjust to the new realities - and even start to fight back. www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
npr.org
'Like ice melting': Journalists warn press freedom is in decline across Asia
China's jailing of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan highlights a deeper press freedom crisis across Asia.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Nepal's prime minister KP Sharma Oli is now the second South Asian leader to be driven out of office by youth-led protests in just over a year. He joins neighboring Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country on a helicopter amid mass protests last August.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Taiwan’s opposition KMT scored big today: early results show that all remaining 7 lawmakers who faced recall challenges have kept their seats. President Lai Ching-te faces an uphill battle on pledges to raise defense spending to 3.32% of GDP next year and 5% by 2030. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
focustaiwan.tw
KMT lawmakers claim victory as recall vote count continues - Focus Taiwan
Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers have declared they survived recall votes to remove them from office Saturday, although official results are still pending as the vote counting continues.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
My latest for @npr.org : With hours left on the clock, the US and China extended a truce that limits tariffs between the world's two largest economies by a further 90 days. Analysts expect further talks and a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi later this year. www.npr.org/2025/08/12/n...
npr.org
U.S. and China extend tariff truce deadline for another 3 months
President Trump's executive order extends a reprieve from the threat of rising tariffs between the world's two largest economies.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Heavy rains that caused dozens of injuries, power outages and 5 deaths in southern Taiwan have led to an unexpected result: a surge of wild mushrooms. Authorities are removing them from roadsides and warning that toxic mushrooms are hard to tell apart from edible ones. taiwannews.com.tw/news/6172548
taiwannews.com.tw
Taiwan warns of toxic wild mushrooms | Taiwan News | Aug. 6, 2025 09:53
Food and Drug Administration says 33 poisoned over 5 years as rain spurs new mushroom growth | Aug. 6, 2025 09:53
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Glad you appreciated it Brian!
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
My latest for @npr.org : Today is the deadline for thousands of Chinese immigrants in Taiwan to prove they gave up household registration in China, or potentially face deportation. Many immigrants feel they've become victims of worsening cross-strait tensions. www.npr.org/2025/06/29/g...
npr.org
Deadline nears for Taiwan's Chinese immigrants to prove no China household registration
Amid a wave of national security measures, immigrants from China must prove they've given up their household registration in China by June 30. Many are Chinese women married to men from Taiwan.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Super interesting, thanks for sharing. I've seen a couple of examples of these sorts of names while traveling around Indigenous communities but hadn't properly known the context til now
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Glad you appreciated the piece Michael
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Glad you appreciated it Mark
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
And indeed re: a university literally named after the "Great Han" becoming such a hub for Indigenous students, I feel Taiwan is full of these kinds of contradictions
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Glad you appreciated the piece! There's Dong Hua for 4-year studies and Tzu Chi for some career track subjects. But many of the programs tailored to Indigenous communities (training to do cultural tours in your community, or open a restaurant making your culture's cuisine etc) won't be replaced.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
8/8 When schools like Dahan close, Taiwan's ministry of education finds alternative places for students to finish their degrees further away from home. But as more schools shut their doors, communities like the Truku student Chen's village may be left with fewer educational opportunities.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
7/8 Higher ed researcher Angela Yung-chi Hou says elite colleges can handle low enrollment by taking more international students. But those with fewer resources - like Dahan - can't compete. Taiwan's less developed southern and eastern areas will continue to lose local schools as a result.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
6/8 An alum of Shih Hsin, and the executive secretary of Taiwan's higher education union Zhang Zhi-lun argues some private universities are using the pretext of low enrollment to run themselves more like a business - harming students and teachers' rights in the process.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
5/8 But even in Taipei, schools are feeling pressure. Students at Shih Hsin university are protesting a decision to close any undergrad course with fewer than 30 students. The students say it's unnecessary cost-cutting. The college says, facing funding issues, it needs to save money where it can.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
4/8 One of You’s former students, Chen Xiao-dong, said young people from his Truku Indigenous community relied on Dahan for career-track education. When Dahan closes, they'll be left without a nearby alternative. Most school closures are happening in less-developed areas in Taiwan's south and east.
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Ashish Valentine @ashishval.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
3/8 Professor You Li-fang told me what made Dahan Institute special was that 2 out of every 5 of its students were from the nearby Indigenous communities. When the school closes, “I think the poor will become much poorer because they will lose opportunities,” You said. “I’m so mad about that.”
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