Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
starving the government of needed revenue to fund everything from infrastructure to edu-
cation.
Connected with the above, housing in northern Taiwan, especially Taipei, is becoming
unaffordable, with costs at 15 to 20 times average yearly income.
Nuclear energy is another hot topic these days, especially after the Fukushima disaster
in Japan. Many young Taiwanese are also highly concerned with media monopolisation,
especially with large companies with pro-China agendas appearing more than willing to
stifle free expression.
One of the most contentious issues of the day is land confiscation. The Taiwanese gov-
ernment expropriates enormous amounts of land from farmers each year to provide space
for development projects. Many people are fighting back and things often turn violent.
Government & Politics
A multiparty democracy, Taiwan's government is dominated by the KMT (Chinese Na-
tionalist Party) which now controls both the executive and legislative branches. The main
opposition party is the independence-supporting DPP (Democratic Progressive Party).
With the continual rise of China, both economically and militarily, the DPP are strug-
gling to formulate a realistic China policy acceptable to both their core supporters and
China. The KMT leadership, on the other hand, accepts China's One China Principle,
and is open to unification as the desired outcome for Taiwan. But as is usual, current
president Ma Ying-jeou ran on a platform of maintaining the status quo and for now
voters in Taiwan are trusting that their democracy is mature enough and that their true in-
terests won't be sold out no matter who is in power.
As his second term runs its course, however, Ma has been steadily losing support and
trust. His economic policies have not brought growth to Taiwan, but have strengthened
Taiwan's dependence on China. In 2013 his approval rating averaged around 15%.
The Future of Taiwan
Taiwan is down on the ropes but hardly out cold. It may be a small, resource poor, polit-
ically marginalised island, but it's also an IT powerhouse with a highly educated and en-
trepreneurial population. It may be coveted by the People's Republic of China (PRC) for
nationalistic and strategic purposes but the US and Japan (and most of ASEAN) also
hope to keep it as a democratic ally and bulwark against Chinese expansion.
Politically Taiwan may be divided about the future, but few have any desire to be ruled
by Beijing. In the coming presidential elections in 2016, neither the KMT or DPP has a
