Well, like anything, it depends on context. In this context, it's not crazy to be on high alert for weird politicized signals.

However, I think you made a pretty good point about its meaning in Taiwan given that this fellow is apparently from there, combined with it being his year of birth. So, context decides and in this case at least it seems pretty ordinary.

For sure. Context absolutely matters, ans the context here doesn't establish a pattern from my understanding. So in this case it's unlikely to be a dog whistle.

But people should still be aware of what the 88/1448 dog whistle looks like.

Isn't it a bit... selfish for you to expect everyone everywhere know your fucking context? 88 means shit nothing in Europe and we've got the original Nazis here (except of course if you're Nazi - they know about 88, common people don't).

Same with 666. Ask an Indian what it means and he will tell you one more than 665.