About this episode
Hsiao Bi-khim | 蕭美琴 is Taiwan’s Vice President, sworn in on May 20, 2024, alongside President Lai Ching-te. A seasoned diplomat, she served as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2023, becoming the first Taiwanese official to attend a U.S. presidential inauguration since 1979 when she attended Joe Biden’s in 2021. Known as Taiwan’s “cat warrior” for her deft diplomacy, Hsiao strengthened U.S.-Taiwan ties, advancing arms sales, trade agreements, and Taiwan’s global presence despite China’s opposition. Born to a Taiwanese father and American mother, she grew up in Taiwan and New Jersey, earning a BA from Oberlin College and an MA from Columbia University. Hsiao advocates for Taiwan’s sovereignty, democratic resilience, and inclusion in international organizations, as seen in her 2025 meetings with U.K. and Israeli delegations. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://www.roka.com - USE CODE SRS https://www.betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://www.bubsnaturals.com/shawn https://www.meetfabric.com/shawn https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.helixsleep.com/srs https://hexclad.com/srs Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.com/srs! #hexcladpartner https://www.moinkbox.com/srs https://www.paladinpower.com/srs https://uscca.com/srs Hsiao Bi-khim | 蕭美琴 Links: X - https://x.com/bikhim X - https://x.com/TECRO_USA Presidential Office - https://english.president.gov.tw Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs - https://en.mofa.gov.tw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices