On the World
Observation / Taiwan Hostility toward Chinese
NEVATHIR
February 28, 2018
Although Taiwan used to enjoy mutually beneficial economic cooperation with PRC for two decades since PRC transition from communism to market socialism, there is growing concern that outstanding economic performance from PRC may place Taiwan at significant disadvantage. The most obvious signal is the prospering Chinese digital markets quickly overtaking Taiwan mediocrity in both hardware and software. Acer and hTC already sound like Dell rather than Xiaomi at Asia-Pacific, Taiwan in particular. For economic and diplomatic reasons, Taiwan hostility toward Chinese people is growing fast, especially exacerbated by DPP propaganda.
Taiwan hostility toward Chinese people may be insignificant for the future of PRC economy, but for Taiwan itself and Chinese migrants, human right status is alarming. Taiwan employed quite a number of sex workers from PRC with no legal protection. Exploitation is common along with sex workers from South-East Asia. Many Chinese businesses already perceive Taiwan as a exploiter accordingly with reduction or takeover for business opportunities.
The economics of migrant talents is very well-established due to great success of USA immigration policy, with Silicon Valley as a prime example. The prominent role of Chinese migrant elites formed foundational pillars for Taiwan Economic Miracle, despite KMT dictatorship. DPP, however, with its deficient economic nationalism, deliberately favored Taiwan nationalists at the expense of economy as a whole. Taiwan talent outflow to China is already much more fashionable that experts doubt whether Taiwan may reverse the brain drain for foreseeable future.
While Chinese elites may elevate Acer or hTC, provided with decent prospects, Taiwan unwisely undermines itself as well as USA status around Asia-Pacific to the extent of willingly building up PRC leadership at Asia-Pacific without much challenge. Taiwan migrant talents proved that DPP effectively served PRC with brilliance.
For USA or Taiwan, the question is whether PRC leadership with DPP assistance or USA return is more popular among Taiwan politicians.
While DPP provides little strategic advantage for balance of power around Republic of China, the brain drain Taiwan suffered is definitely reversible at a time scale of several decades if open-minded Taiwanese are willing to form the bridge between global enterprises and Chinese talents with its affinity and familiarity with Chinese culture and market access. The importance of saving Taiwan economy from Taiwanese themselves is already of global significance if democratic regimes are going to maintain stable status at Asia-Pacific. But, what to do?
Broadly speaking, Taiwan may have to drop economic nationalism and embrace a healthy mix of globalisation with regional integration, a strong commitment to safeguard human rights for all people regardless of their race or origin, and a positive attitude toward civilization with highly cultivated scientific/technological communities to support economic advances.
The process of reversing brain drain is not feasible with limited capacity from Taiwan politicians. For democratic regimes and global enterprises, proper manipulation to convince Taiwanese is recommended if PRC leadership with DPP assistance is to be marginalized among island voters.
Which nation, USA or PRC, will determine the future of Asia-Pacific?