On 17-18 May 2026, the Czech Association of Contemporary Asian Studies (CACAS) convened a second meeting this academic year in Olomouc, focusing on Taiwan-related research.
The association connects Czechia-based scholars who specialize in contemporary Asian studies, primarily within the fields of social sciences. Established in 2022, CACAS aims to deepen understanding of political and social developments across East, South, Southeast, and Central Asia while fostering academic collaboration. CACAS meets about twice a year, usually rotating around different cities and universities in Czechia.
This particular workshop was supported by the Global Taiwan Chair project, bringing two external speakers to the event, Andrew Chubb from the UK (Lancaster University) and Alexis von Sydow from Sweden (Swedish Institute of International Affairs).
The workshop kicked off with a dinner on 17 May, followed the next day by a full day of presentations and discussions. The workshop covered a diverse range of topics, from politics and human rights to cultural issues. It was attended by 15 people, scholars from different universities in Czechia, as well as foreign guests.
On 18 May, following the welcome address by CACAS co-chairs Runya Qiaoan (Palacký University Olomouc) and Michal Kolmaš (Metropolitan University Prague), Andrew Chubb opened the workshop with his presentation “Transnational Repression in Taiwan and/or Against Taiwanese Targets.” This was followed by Alexis von Sydow’s presentation “Risk Factors for a Taiwan Conflict.”
After lunch, the program continued with presentations by Jan Švec (Institute of International relations Prague) on “How Chinese Social Media May Reduce Taiwanese Support for Pressure on China over Human Rights,” Dolma Tsering (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) on “War, displacement, and gendered agency of Yangzhom: A Tibetan woman's life in Taiwan,” and Peng Hsiung Hsu (Taiwanese artist) on “National Identity through Czechoslovak Illustration Traditions.”
The event concluded with a book presentation by Kristina Kironska for Contemporary Taiwan: More than a Flashpoint.
Andrew Chubb, "Transnational repression in Taiwan and/or against Taiwanese targets"
Alexis von Sydow, ”Risk factors for a Taiwan conflict"
Jan Švec, "How Chinese Social Media May Reduce Taiwanese Support for Pressure on China over Human Rights"
Doma Tsering, "War, displacement, and gendered agency of Yangzhom: A Tibetan woman's life in Taiwan"
Peng Hsiung Hsu, "National Identity through Czechoslovak Illustration Traditions"
Kristina Kironska, "Contemporary Taiwan: More than a flashpoint"
This CACAS workshop was particularly distinctive in featuring a presentation by a Taiwanese artist, who explored questions of national identity through illustration. Throughout the workshop, he also created caricatures of the presenters as they spoke. This artistic dimension brought a refreshing and unconventional element to the event.
Peng Hsiung Hsu painting
All the presenters with their caricatures and the artist
This workshop once again highlighted the importance of CACAS as a space connecting scholars working on Asia across the Czech Republic. With support from the Global Taiwan Chair project, the event created opportunities for academic exchange, interdisciplinary discussion, and the development of new research connections focused on Taiwan and broader Asian studies topics.
Those interested in joining the network can find more information through the CACAS website: https://cacas.cz/contact-us/