The island-nation of Taiwan made history, last month, when it elected Tsai Ying-wen as its first female president. Tsai’s Pro-Independence Party (DPP) also for the first time, swept to legislative majorities, unseating the long-ruling Nationalist Party (KMT). But now, observers wonder what direction Tsai Ying-wen will take the country vis-à-vis China and the region. We talk with Shelley Rigger, professor of East Asian politics and chair of Chinese studies at Davidson College​. She’s authored several books, including, Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse. Rigger joins us to discuss the changes taking place in Taiwan.