Lai Ching-te argues the reverse may be true because the Republic of China – the mantle that nationalists carried with them to Taiwan – predates the communist People’s Republic
It is “impossible” for the People’s Republic of China to become Taiwan’s motherland because Taiwan has older political roots, the island’s president has said.
Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, is condemned by Beijing as a separatist. He rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying the island is a country called the Republic of China that traces its origins back to the 1911 revolution overthrowing the last imperial dynasty.
The Chinese nationalist government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists. Mao set up the People’s Republic of China, which continues to claim self-governed Taiwan as its territory.
I’m in Taiwan and I’m just a single voice. Lai isn’t wrong. Our republic is longer, but early Taiwan was pretty shitty. They continued that shittiness the nationalist was doing back in the mainland up until the 90s when we had our first Democratic elections.
Today’s Taiwan was nothing like the nationalist that proceeds it. We are actively taking down our old monuments of our forefathers because it was truly a bad time in our history.
Today’s Taiwan is freaking amazing. An active government that cares about the people. Policing is done by people in the community. A school system that cares about each student and their well being. A high tax on big businesses and a low entry barrier for small businesses.
I had a school counselor come to my door because I was not picking up random phone calls. She brought cookies and school stationery and wanted to make sure my son was ready for grade school.
I invite anyone to come visit and experience Taiwan on their own.