This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
Taiwan: The Democratic China
By EconMatters
In the 60 years since Chinese Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, the tiny island country has transformed itself quite differently from the mainland China. Thanks to a series of financial and economic reform by the Nationalist Party (KMT), Taiwan got a head start on economic and democratic development, while Mao's Cultural Revolution had left the Mainland in an over-a-decade-long developmental vacuum.
Never declared independence from China, Taiwan had enjoyed rapid industrialization and GDP growth that brought about Taiwan Miracle during the latter half of the 20th century, thus becoming one of the "Four Asian Tigers" alongside Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong. Since then, Taiwan (ROC - Republic of China) has evolved from a manufacturing-based economy into one that's more technology and service oriented, while "Made in Taiwan" has been replaced by "Made in China" at WalMart.
When comparing living standards on the basis of GDP per person measured at purchasing-power parity (PPP), which adjusts for differences in the cost of living in each country, the latest data from IMF shows that Taiwan already overtook Japan in 2010 (Hong Kong outranked Japan in 1997, and Singapore in 1993). This is partly due to Japan’s high price levels, especially for housing and food, bringing down the country’s true standard of living, but also speaks volumes about Taiwan's prosperity and affluence.
|
|
|
Chart Source: The Economist |
Although Taiwan has racked up substantial deficits over the past three years post financial crisis, they are relatively small compared to the developed countries. The deficit totaled NT$409.5 billion, or 3.0% of GDP, in 2010, and an estimated NT$345.9 billion, or 2.5% of GDP, in 2011, according to Taiwan's official data. This year, the government has projected the deficit to fall to NT$230.8 billion, or 1.6% of GDP, in 2012.
WSJ noted that Mainland China buys about 41% of Taiwan's exports. Roughly 70% of those exports are components for products made by Taiwanese-owned and operated factories that set up shops in China making finished products such as iPads or Nike shoes for the rest of the world.
During the eight-year rule of pro-independence DPP party, Taiwan had failed to take advantage of its position as an open, trade-based economy and its historical relation with China. After the 2008 landslide election victory, president Ma Ying-jeou finally pushed through the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with Beijing on June 29, 2010.
ECFA has reduced tariffs and opened the mainland China for services and many cooperative economic projects for Taiwan. So far, the pact seems to have paid off quite well in terms of inbound investment and employment opportunities for Taiwan, particularly in the manufacturing and chemical materials sectors.
Hit primarily by the reduced demand from China and Hong Kong, the island's export fell 4.7% year-over-year in the first four months of 2012. Nevertheless, Taiwan's GDP is forecast to grow 3.48% in a report released April 24 by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research. President Ma Ying-jeou's re-election this January is also seen as a signal of continuing cross-Strait relations and economic cooperations with mainland China.
Taiwan is one of the only two countries in the world that managed to maintain an average of 5% growth over five decades (the other one is South Korea). With the world economy surrounded by a high uncertainty deriving form euro debt crisis, and the high oil price, diversifying some of the long-term portfolio into Taiwan via ETFs such as iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (EWT), or MSCI Emerging Markets Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBEM), as an alternative to direct investing into China, may not be a bad idea.
»
- advertisements -
Because of Peak Oil, China will have to be nuked by the US (preemptively). After that happens, Taiwan will be the one China left.
How long before the U.S. pulls a Great Britain (Hong Kong) and abandons Tawain over Chinese demands?
We could eliminate any debt to China with a conflict over Taiwan but our banks probably won't allow it, and will demand it be sacrificed.
The article wrote: <<In the 60 years since Chinese Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, the tiny island country has transformed itself quite differently from the mainland China.>>
Wrong! By the time, the Chinese Nationalists fled to Taiwan, Taiwan had been transformed into a modern society as a Japanese Territory between 1895 and 1945. Then, the culture and mentality of the Taiwanese were already vastly different from the Chiense's.
Taiwan's industrialization and modernization, yes even democratization started no later than 1895, long before the arrival of the Chinese Natioanlists. A household based voting system (one vote per tax-paying household) was implemented in the 1920's.
<<Never declarNeved independence from China,....>>
Wrong again! Taiwan declared itself independent in 1895 as the Republic of Taiwan.
95% of the American sheeple have no idea that Taiwan and China are two different countries. Of the remaining 5%, 4% have no idea about the political history of the two countries, and of Nixon's treachery.
Nice to see Taiwan being called a country (which of course it is), although it is one of only 5 countries that the US does not have diplomatic relations with (others are North Korea, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran).
Yes ... Taiwan is a nation. Screw you China.
While the US doesn't formally recognize Taiwan there are certainly diplomatic relations. Ttherefore there is no embassy by name, but the "American Institute" in Taipei serves the same functionality.
Then there is that treaty with Taiwan...
Great example of a brainwashed American.
Please list for me how many military bases the Chinese have overseas, how many wars/invasions/coupes they have been involved with over the past five decades or so and contrast that to the lists for the US. The worst thing about the Chinese c/w the US is the way they treat their own people, obviously worse up until recently but that is changing quickly if you hadn't noticed.
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/04/duty-of-military-in-militarized-empire.html
Try to deprogram yourself before it is too late.
Invasions in the last 5 decades? At least three: Tibet (still occupied), Mongolia (still occupied), Vietnam (they had to retreat, however). Do you count Korea? You should. That's who the US was really fighting. And isn't their protectorate, North Korea, a lovely place? The only reason Taiwan hasn't been forcibly taken is the US military's constant patrolling and posturing.
Don't kid yourself. The Communist Chinese are as bloodthirsty and land grabbing as any people on earth.
Unlike the Yankees who only spread "freedom" and "democracy" and "capitalism" the world around with the 200+ military garrisons, a dozen of so wars, indiscriminate killing by drones, and "kinetic actions."
Have they ever meddled in any region that they didn't historically/traditionally consider their own? Has the US? As stated above, yes, the Chinese have done immoral things, but you are deluding yourself if you don't think the US is worse. Read the book I recommended above and you will never see the world again in the same light.
While it is true that the US is the world bully par excellence, dont let the Chinese trick you into believing they are peaceful. How many wars you ask? Lets see: II WW with Japan, then civil war, invasion of Tibet, then intervention in the Korean War in the 50s, at least two wars with India in the 60s, border clashes with the Soviet Union in the early 70s, failed invasion of Vietnam in 1979, continiuing tensions with Taiwan... I am not even counting various territorial disputes with Japan, Russia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan or even Malaysia (the Paracel Islands). Man, there is hardly a country around China that has NOT been at war with it lately.
Of course, not everything of the above is China's fault, but Tibet and Vietnam clearly were their purely imperialist aggressions while several other conflicts (Korea, Taiwan, Soviet Union clashes, India) also at least partially so.
Let me tell you: China is universally disliked by its neighbours. I've spent 8 years in the Far East, I know what I am talking about. Japan and Taiwan fear it; the Koreans hate it for centuries of oppression by the Chinese Emperor and for China's support for the North Korean muppet, people in the South-East Asia hate the Chinese (because ethnic Chinese immigrants own economies in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, etc ). Putin is afraid about Siberia, India is afraid China is trying to pass the Himalayas, Vietnam looks at China with great suspicion after the invasion of 1979.
I never said the Chinese were peaceful! I just said compartively the US has outdone them in wars, invasions, assassinations, meddling, false flags etc.
How could you even bring up the World War II history with Japan? Did the Chinese invite the Japanese to slaughter a couple hundred thousand Chinese in the rape of Nanjing? I believe the Japanese pulled one of the most obvious false flags of the 20th century to instigate that conflict. I think it is obvious to most the Japanese were the agressors in that conflict and the Chinese the defenders.
I agree situations like Tibet or the Cultural Revolution are worse than anything the US has done or experienced so far, but I too have lived in Asia and traveled around Asia extensively, and by far the most hated people are the Japanese, for World War II atrocities in China, Korea, Taiwan, HK, Singapore, Phillipines, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, and the US is a distant second. People have "concerns" about China's rising power, but I have met few that hate them.
If you have lived in Asia you will know that even at the peak of it's power, China was probably the least imperialistic superpower that the world has ever seen, all they ever wanted from other countries was tribute.
Being worldly I'm sure you'll understand as well that many countries, especially the major powers, intentionally play up their citizens fears of foreign agressors to distract from the domestic issues of scandals, corruption, incompetence etc.
If you would like true enlightenment on how the world works and the power behind the scenes try "The Rise of the Fourth Reich" by Jim Marrs.
Gag me. Separate the political caste, the Chinese Nationalist Party, that came over on the boats provided by the American Pacific fleet from the business people and workers that made the Taiwan mericle. It was the Taiwanese that had to feed themselves in the morning who got up to make that transformation while the KMT camped out in Taipei feeding on U. S. AID/anti-ChiCom hand-outs. The KMT was smart enough back in the day to realize that a good parasite doesn't kill its host; it draws off enough cream to get fat while leaving the host to grow again. Yes, there was some beneficial governing by the KMT but most of that period while on life support from the U. S. We only left in 1979, militarily.
In the last few years the only accomplishment has been been President "Mr. Clean" Ma, popularity under 20%, making this "ECFA", which is like Switzerland making a free trade pact with Germany circa 1942 but with the Swiss negotiators in the pay of the Germans.
The writer makes the mistake of writing "In the 60 years since [the KMT} retreated to Taiwan, the tiny island country," yet the KMT insists that Taiwan is not a nationa but an integral part of Chines that only they, the carpet baggers, have the experience in handing over to the governance of the Chinese Communists in Beijing. Is the writer in the emply of the KMT?
Disasssociate this post about Taiwan, it is an excellent place, from any favorable mentions about the completely genius and non-self-interested bureacrats For Life! KMT.
So, in your opinion, was it the self-interest of the mainland Communist Chinese government that retarded development?
so the right to cast a ballot is the measure of government that legitimately represents the citizens interests? I suppose that means that the U.S. government is legitimate by those standards... so long as the citizens are the corporations that actually control the choices that get voted on.
Nice girlies,
how come they greet in Japanese ?
I'd reply if your question made any sense
Taiwan implemented a single-payer health system and it didn't destroy their economy.
I went to a dentist in Taiwan. What a joke. It was like going back to the '60's. A co worker got sick and had to be flown home to Spain for treatment. Great system.
You didn't go to the right dentist. There are plenty of good ones around.
Taiwan has done well economically but please don't kid yourself that it is democratic. There is probably no better example in the world of corporatism/fascism, where big business, the ruling political party and the major criminal gangs work hand in hand; rigging government bids, taking bribes (a practice emeshed in Chinese culture), conflicts of interest, control of the major media, and intimidation of political/business whistleblowers to name a few. Oh wait, there is a better example, Taiwan's neighour to the NorthEast.
Ah, tough. Hard tackle. I was just about to post to know if I could count Taiwan in the big club of US citizen nations, without stirring discomfort among traditional US citizens.
It appears not so I'll refrain from tapping from the marvelous Taiwanese example.
You can be free, just like those in Taiwan. Build your numbers, get people from key areas of supply, transportation, manufacturing and communications that want to be free too.
It's never as difficult as it looks... the oppressors always seem invincible and too powerful, but in reality they are just men. They bleed, they have fear and they are vulnerable.
Rise up and fight for your future, for your family's future! You have a heritage of cleverness and resilience in warfare... make use of the gifts your ancestors have passed to you!
I just knew I could count on you, AnAnusMoose, to defend the Chinese Communist Party's 60+ year history of warmongering threats against, and greedy blobbing-up aspirations towards, the independent Republic of Taiwan --- which is exactly what that island nation is, regardless of all the nonsensical "One China" posturing by leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
I'm not sure how you exactly define a "US citizen nation" or even your point in defining the Taiwanese as such; I'm not a US citizen, and as far as I'm concerned the majority of US citizens need more discomfort to speed up their rude awakening and lack of such will probably end in boiled frog syndrome.
Little countries often have to deal with big bullies next door -
Just like Canada's future prospects are clouded by America taking over, Taiwan's prospects are clouded by mainland China taking over.
Although, unlike Taiwan, Canada's quisling governments have already signed away their rights, with 'security agreements' allowing US troops to march into Canada and conduct martial law and 'protect the oil fields' in case of terra-rism etc. - And you can bet the US will supply that 'terra-rism' event when they desire to do so.
It was always a mistake for the US and Taiwan to have conducted the farce that Taiwan 'represented' all of China, as they claimed in the 1950s-60s ... they should have made Taiwan a recognised independent nation back then when big China was weak.
And then in the 1970s, the US violated its own Constitution, unilaterally breaking the treaties with Taiwan, and thus began the slow process of turning Taiwan into Hong Kong. Some people in America connected with Barry Goldwater, filed lawsuits about the illegality, but of course American judges don't care about the US Constitution.
One other thing great from Taiwan - their beautiful international 'Weather Girls'! -
http://www.youtube.com/user/WGS
Not very likely. The moneygrubbig expansionists reside in the North USA in ivory towers and their recruitment of rednecks would fail miserably for two reasons.
1) The Rebel rednecks would find it too cold to particpate. Those who did would end up like Hilter's panzer divisions in the Russia.
2) The Yankee redecks being familiar with the cold would realize what a shit-brained idea it was and tell the money grubbing elitest pansies to go %#^$ themselves.
cute girls, but they were speaking Japanese, as was the text
Hahahaha That was SO funny.
Luve that Videoooo.
any more of thos cutie Taiwan 'Weather girly" Videoooo!