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Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

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From Our Own Correspondent: Taiwan's Bright Ideas

Taiwan's Bright Ideas

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, Taiwan's Bright Ideas

Taiwan, increasingly innovative, pluralistic and assertive, is standing up to China.

China has been accused of trying to influence next month's elections on the island of Taiwan. But Duncan Hewitt finds many Taiwanese are determined to resist pressure from Beijing.

Recent events in Hong Kong have made many people in Taiwan jumpy.  Duncan Hewitt talks to a hacker and activist turned government minister in Taiwan who is full of ideas about how to improve life on the island. He finds an increasingly pluralistic and confident society, now more inclined to stand up to China.

Our main focus this week is on the natural world and we begin at the South Pole where Justin Rowlatt is holed up in a research station eating chips and patiently waiting for a change in the weather. 

At the opposite end of the earth, we go trekking around Greenland.  Rich in rare earth metals some are calling this Artic country the Saudi Arabia of the Green future. Horatio Clare fears for the future of one of the most pristine environments left on the planet. 

There are fears of plunder too in the Cayman Islands where the tourism industry is threatening to rip up great swathes of coral for the convenience of cruise ship passengers. 

Climate change may soon  make it even harder to find black truffles in France - Heidi Fuller Love joins a treasure hunt with Magda the pig.

Producer: Lucy Ash

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