Inspired by Ukrainian resistance, Taiwanese culture – in the form of TV shows, comics, games – has become fixated with envisioning what would happen if the Chinese land on their beaches.
A Taiwanese woman who I know from her time in the U.S. as a student, talked about her grandparents who lived in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. Stories from those who remain from that generation could be interesting.
My grandpa lived under the Japanese colonization time. His mother tongue was Taiwanese and Japanese. He learned mandarins later in school. I used to listen to him talking about the Japanese time and he compared it with the later KMT government. Too bad I couldn’t interview him. He passed 15 years ago. But I appreciate this story idea!
I think of Taiwan a lot. What a way to live your life, thinking sooner or later mainland China will surround your beautiful island country.
The interview with Garry Kasparov was unbelievable. He is so direct and honest in his opinion. Some of his statements about the Biden administration’s handling of military support for Ukraine was painful. The Biden administration and the neighboring countries appeared to fear the wrath of Putin. With Trump in office I am completely stumped by the European Union’s lack of action. I really don’t see any defense buildup.
It is one of the great ironies of life that a large island, situated off a great landmass, captured and colonised by the Japanese for 50 years, then occupied by a defeated army, must fear the might of China, the dominant power on that landmass. Taiwan does not want to follow Hong Kong in its subjugation of natural freedoms, to talk, write and live in a climate which allows actions so long as they do not harm anyone or threaten the civil order. Normally I would advocate some attempt at a negotiated impasse, one that was promised to Hong Kong for 40 years (until most of the political and civil leaders had died or ceased activities). However that promise was reneged after 20 years and most of the people active in civil and political life have been prosecuted for what was formerly normal life. The other choice is, as Churchill is reputed to have said in 1940, to fight until you die, to never surrender, to never even consider surrender.
A very strong and accurate analysis. History truly has a way of repeating itself — sometimes painfully literally. Taiwan today is a symbol of dignity and resistance that the world cannot ignore. In your opinion, how should the international community protect Taiwan?
It is difficult to know what we can do to protect Taiwan as it was formerly part of China. Any alliance would simply provoke China. I accept that China would suffer trade restrictions if it invaded and conquered Taiwan but currently they are so confident in their abilities to do anything they want to do that only external consequences will restrain them. Eventually they may leave dictatorship behind and accept a form of democracy but that may take a century.
The claim that "Taiwan was formerly part of China" is debatable. One could as easily say it was formerly part of Japan or Holland or Spain [1]
The natives of Taiwan are not Chinese at all, but culturally Micronesian. The current residents of Taiwan identify by a large margin--67%--as not primarily Chinese [2], just as most Americans do not identify themselves as British or German or Irish or Italian or Mexican. The country of origin of one's dead ancestors has no bearing on loyalties of the living.
And in any case, the views of the current inhabitants on which country they want to be a part of should be of highest importance. Ukraine was formerly part of Russia, but it clearly does not want to be so now, and is saying so with the blood of its citizens. Three quarters of Taiwanese express a willingness to fight a Chinese invasion [3].
Unfortunately, a badly weakened Nixon agreed to the "one China" formulation as the price of getting Chinese help on Vietnam and to align against Russia. in the Taiwan Relations Act, the US Congress made it clear that US policy was that China could say whatever it wanted, but if it invaded, the US would respond militarily.
That has kept the peace until now. Now, unfortunately, the Chinese, sensing American weakness, are embarking on a plan that could very well end in a nuclear exchange. It is in *weakness*, not strength, that the risks of nuclear war are greatest. And a failing, wounded Trump could very easily see use of nuclear weapons as a means to show he is tough.
When Japan surrendered in 1945 Formosa was returned to China, from whence it had been taken in the Japanese invasion of 1895. When the communist under Mao defeated the Nationalists under Chiang in 1949 the Nationalists retreated to Formosa, where they ruled as dictators until Chiang died and democracy was established. Having a population of over 50 million has allowed them to prosper. They may have many cultures amongst them but Chinese is the dominant culture. It is unlikely that the Chinese communists would risk their current dominance in a war with the West as their civilisation is 3000 years old. They were writing books on gardening 250 years BCE. They invented paper and gunpowder 2000 years ago. They had a mandarin class of civil servants, selected by examination when we were still peasants under feudal serfdom. China may or may not have nuclear weapons but the idea that they would risk a nuclear war is ridiculous.
Who elected the Communists? Winning a conflict does not make a leadership legitimate. And judging from the behavior of the PRC toward the people of Hong Kong, the only claim to power they have is that "might makes right."
The world has largely maintained peace since World War II based on the simple principle "Don't invade people who don't want you there." Nothing forbids the PRC from trying to persuade the Taiwanese that they would benefit from union. It wasn't that long ago that the world expected this would happen. And then China smashed Hong Kong, and the world saw the government for what it is. And now it is seizing territories and resources that belong to Vietnam and the Philippines-- and menacing Taiwan with military drills.
Your laundered version of history is largely irrelevant. The achievements of people dead thousands of years has no bearing on legitimacy in the present, nor does it predict whether their descendants will commit the ultimate act of violence, nuclear war. And you continue to ignore the fact that the people of Taiwan overwhelmingly do *not* regard themselves as Chinese.
To the extend that your history is relevant, it omits the fact that the Maoists collaborated with the Japanese [1,2], murdered or starved to death tens of millions of Chinese, and ran the country into the ground. It is engaged in what amounts to genocide against Tibet and against the Uighur.
If the world cares about actual human beings rather than historical caricatures, it will defend the right of Taiwan to stay apart from that violent, tyrannical regime.
Who elected William the Conqueror? Yet his descendants still rule Britain nearly a thousand years later. Might was always right up to the present era. Williams descendants thought they owned France right up to the end of the Hundred Years’ War. Forget the methods by which the Chinese communists won the war against the Nationalists, the important thing is that they won and took control. Taiwan may retain their independence if they make it so evident to the Chinese hierarchy that the price of victory would not be worthwhile. Ukraine is doing the same to the Russians at this moment. If I was in charge in Ukraine there would not be a usable bridge in Russia within 50 miles of the Russian/Ukraine border, and the Kremlin would be in the process of being reduced to rubble.
Are any of the video, graphic novel, or board game available in English versions which support their creators? My curiosity I’d piqued but I’d like to pay rather than getting a fan rip.
What a great artucle. Being a bit older than our new PM Carney, Im less atuned to any cultural trends thanevenhe is - i had no idea if the band he danced to, untili saw his videos.
Which is my way of thanking you for introducing me to all of these artistic endeavors with the theme of invaded Tiawan.
There was a post here about Taiwanese survivors of the Japanese occupation during WW2.
That may be a good subject to pursue, Tim. Draw parallels between the two invasions and defense strategies, interview living survivors on how people coped during occupation, draw parallels with Ukranian experiences of Russian occupation with Tiawanese experiences, etc.
Great article!
A Taiwanese woman who I know from her time in the U.S. as a student, talked about her grandparents who lived in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. Stories from those who remain from that generation could be interesting.
My grandpa lived under the Japanese colonization time. His mother tongue was Taiwanese and Japanese. He learned mandarins later in school. I used to listen to him talking about the Japanese time and he compared it with the later KMT government. Too bad I couldn’t interview him. He passed 15 years ago. But I appreciate this story idea!
Thank you. I'm sorry you missed the chance to interview him.
I think of Taiwan a lot. What a way to live your life, thinking sooner or later mainland China will surround your beautiful island country.
The interview with Garry Kasparov was unbelievable. He is so direct and honest in his opinion. Some of his statements about the Biden administration’s handling of military support for Ukraine was painful. The Biden administration and the neighboring countries appeared to fear the wrath of Putin. With Trump in office I am completely stumped by the European Union’s lack of action. I really don’t see any defense buildup.
It is one of the great ironies of life that a large island, situated off a great landmass, captured and colonised by the Japanese for 50 years, then occupied by a defeated army, must fear the might of China, the dominant power on that landmass. Taiwan does not want to follow Hong Kong in its subjugation of natural freedoms, to talk, write and live in a climate which allows actions so long as they do not harm anyone or threaten the civil order. Normally I would advocate some attempt at a negotiated impasse, one that was promised to Hong Kong for 40 years (until most of the political and civil leaders had died or ceased activities). However that promise was reneged after 20 years and most of the people active in civil and political life have been prosecuted for what was formerly normal life. The other choice is, as Churchill is reputed to have said in 1940, to fight until you die, to never surrender, to never even consider surrender.
A very strong and accurate analysis. History truly has a way of repeating itself — sometimes painfully literally. Taiwan today is a symbol of dignity and resistance that the world cannot ignore. In your opinion, how should the international community protect Taiwan?
It is difficult to know what we can do to protect Taiwan as it was formerly part of China. Any alliance would simply provoke China. I accept that China would suffer trade restrictions if it invaded and conquered Taiwan but currently they are so confident in their abilities to do anything they want to do that only external consequences will restrain them. Eventually they may leave dictatorship behind and accept a form of democracy but that may take a century.
The claim that "Taiwan was formerly part of China" is debatable. One could as easily say it was formerly part of Japan or Holland or Spain [1]
The natives of Taiwan are not Chinese at all, but culturally Micronesian. The current residents of Taiwan identify by a large margin--67%--as not primarily Chinese [2], just as most Americans do not identify themselves as British or German or Irish or Italian or Mexican. The country of origin of one's dead ancestors has no bearing on loyalties of the living.
And in any case, the views of the current inhabitants on which country they want to be a part of should be of highest importance. Ukraine was formerly part of Russia, but it clearly does not want to be so now, and is saying so with the blood of its citizens. Three quarters of Taiwanese express a willingness to fight a Chinese invasion [3].
Unfortunately, a badly weakened Nixon agreed to the "one China" formulation as the price of getting Chinese help on Vietnam and to align against Russia. in the Taiwan Relations Act, the US Congress made it clear that US policy was that China could say whatever it wanted, but if it invaded, the US would respond militarily.
That has kept the peace until now. Now, unfortunately, the Chinese, sensing American weakness, are embarking on a plan that could very well end in a nuclear exchange. It is in *weakness*, not strength, that the risks of nuclear war are greatest. And a failing, wounded Trump could very easily see use of nuclear weapons as a means to show he is tough.
God help us all.
1. See Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Taiwan
2. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/16/most-people-in-taiwan-see-themselves-as-primarily-taiwanese-few-say-theyre-primarily-chinese/
3. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/12/30/2003770419
When Japan surrendered in 1945 Formosa was returned to China, from whence it had been taken in the Japanese invasion of 1895. When the communist under Mao defeated the Nationalists under Chiang in 1949 the Nationalists retreated to Formosa, where they ruled as dictators until Chiang died and democracy was established. Having a population of over 50 million has allowed them to prosper. They may have many cultures amongst them but Chinese is the dominant culture. It is unlikely that the Chinese communists would risk their current dominance in a war with the West as their civilisation is 3000 years old. They were writing books on gardening 250 years BCE. They invented paper and gunpowder 2000 years ago. They had a mandarin class of civil servants, selected by examination when we were still peasants under feudal serfdom. China may or may not have nuclear weapons but the idea that they would risk a nuclear war is ridiculous.
Who elected the Communists? Winning a conflict does not make a leadership legitimate. And judging from the behavior of the PRC toward the people of Hong Kong, the only claim to power they have is that "might makes right."
The world has largely maintained peace since World War II based on the simple principle "Don't invade people who don't want you there." Nothing forbids the PRC from trying to persuade the Taiwanese that they would benefit from union. It wasn't that long ago that the world expected this would happen. And then China smashed Hong Kong, and the world saw the government for what it is. And now it is seizing territories and resources that belong to Vietnam and the Philippines-- and menacing Taiwan with military drills.
Your laundered version of history is largely irrelevant. The achievements of people dead thousands of years has no bearing on legitimacy in the present, nor does it predict whether their descendants will commit the ultimate act of violence, nuclear war. And you continue to ignore the fact that the people of Taiwan overwhelmingly do *not* regard themselves as Chinese.
To the extend that your history is relevant, it omits the fact that the Maoists collaborated with the Japanese [1,2], murdered or starved to death tens of millions of Chinese, and ran the country into the ground. It is engaged in what amounts to genocide against Tibet and against the Uighur.
If the world cares about actual human beings rather than historical caricatures, it will defend the right of Taiwan to stay apart from that violent, tyrannical regime.
1. https://u.osu.edu/mclc/2016/07/02/truth-of-mao-zedongs-collusion-with-the-japanese-army-1/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong_thanking_Japan_controversy
Who elected William the Conqueror? Yet his descendants still rule Britain nearly a thousand years later. Might was always right up to the present era. Williams descendants thought they owned France right up to the end of the Hundred Years’ War. Forget the methods by which the Chinese communists won the war against the Nationalists, the important thing is that they won and took control. Taiwan may retain their independence if they make it so evident to the Chinese hierarchy that the price of victory would not be worthwhile. Ukraine is doing the same to the Russians at this moment. If I was in charge in Ukraine there would not be a usable bridge in Russia within 50 miles of the Russian/Ukraine border, and the Kremlin would be in the process of being reduced to rubble.
Are any of the video, graphic novel, or board game available in English versions which support their creators? My curiosity I’d piqued but I’d like to pay rather than getting a fan rip.
The comic book Western Pacific War doesn’t have English version unfortunately…
Zero Day and 2045 have English versions. But the publishing date hasn’t been announced yet. I’ll keep you posted!
What a great artucle. Being a bit older than our new PM Carney, Im less atuned to any cultural trends thanevenhe is - i had no idea if the band he danced to, untili saw his videos.
Which is my way of thanking you for introducing me to all of these artistic endeavors with the theme of invaded Tiawan.
There was a post here about Taiwanese survivors of the Japanese occupation during WW2.
That may be a good subject to pursue, Tim. Draw parallels between the two invasions and defense strategies, interview living survivors on how people coped during occupation, draw parallels with Ukranian experiences of Russian occupation with Tiawanese experiences, etc.
Food for thought ....
Keep up the great work!