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Democracy in Taiwan
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Democracy in Taiwan
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DEMOCRACY IN TAIWAN by Natasha Y. Chen A Thesis Presented to the FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOURTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS (BROADCAST JOURNALISM) May 2008 Copyright 2008 Natasha Y. Chen ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my parents and their Chinese and Taiwanese contemporaries, whose thirst for knowledge and quest for a better society continue to forge new boundaries for future generations. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To take this project from a mere thought to a full-fledged thesis, I depended on the generous guidance and support of USC faculty, friends and family. I cannot overstate the impact Dan Birman has had on my education, confidence and skills in nonfiction filmmaking. Over the course of the two-year graduate program and particularly during the process of this documentary, he has made me a better storyteller. Joe Saltzman and Dan Lynch similarly threw their support behind me, and Mike Chinoy was an invaluable sounding board in early discussions before my first trip to Taiwan. I owe a great deal to Li-hua Peng and her production staff who helped me film on location, giving me a crew that would be any producer’s dream. Thank you to my many great interview subjects and those who gave me access to them: the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Dr. Ming-tong Chen, Kiel Downey, Drew Camarda, Bi-khim Hsiao, Prof. Yu Kwang Chung, the Cheng family, Diana Li, and Pres. Ma Ying-jeou. My key interviews came through with the help of my father’s unbelievable personal connections. His support, and my mother’s company during traveling made the overwhelming seem manageable. Finally, my parents and their friends at the North Peninsula Mandarin School invested a great deal in their years of teaching me the language and culture that fueled my foundation for this thesis. Most of all I am honored iv that this community entrusted me with the story of our collective past and present in hopes of a brighter future. v TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Dedication ii 2. Acknowledgements iii 3. Abstract vi 4. Democracy in Taiwan 1 5. Bibliography 16 vi ABSTRACT In 1987, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, ended martial law and began an era of democratically elected government. With this change, new conflicts resurfaced with the neighboring People’s Republic of China. Once the stronghold of Chinese Nationalists, Taiwan continues to face tension with the Mainland regarding its sovereignty. The two main political parties, the Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party, take opposing positions on how to form Taiwan’s foreign policy in regard to the authoritarian government in Beijing. The KMT favors closer ties while the DPP promotes Taiwan’s formal independence. The political struggle also includes an unsettled discussion about their cultural identity, as party lines can reflect differences in whether citizens define themselves as ethnically Chinese or native Taiwanese. The future stability of the Taiwanese society lies in the power of the people to embrace their democracy, even in its infancy. 1 DEMOCRACY IN TAIWAN ACT Family serving food on a Sunday afternoon Grandma cleaning pots in kitchen SOT Mike Cheng Young people at night market, lining up for buns out of the steamers ACT Serving noodles at night market [subtitled] From the foreigners’ point of view, there must not be much difference between Taiwan and “Republic of China.” They’re kind of synonyms.// Most of the discussion about China has been erased. This was to create an atmosphere of Taiwan being independent. But if we check our family trees, we will find that we’re all from China. It is true that I was born in Taiwan, it is also true that my mother-in-law was born in Taiwan. But some generations back, we were from China. So you can’t say that once you’re born in Taiwan, you’re not Chinese. FADE to black. FADE in to bullet train shots from window, speeding by fields SOT Bi-khim Hsiao Taipei 101 high-rise Metro station and shopping mall We’re essentially an immigrant society, we’re a very young country, we don’t have the burdens of history. We don’t have thousands of years of a Great Wall, or other historical traditions here, but we are a country that is forward looking. // We’re an island nation, which is very different from the continental mentality. I think all these aspects contribute to the Taiwanese identity. But democracy is at the core. Democracy is what allows people the right to define who they are. VO Narrator Billboards of Taiwanese politicians along the road THE ISLAND’S DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC IS ONLY ABOUT 20 YEARS OLD SINCE DEMOCRACY REPLACED MARTIAL LAW IN 1987. VO Narrator Demonstration happening on sidewalk FROM ONE SYSTEM TO THE OTHER, TAIWAN’S POLITICS CONTINUE TO BE DOMINATED BY ITS ROCKY 2 [still of China map from internet] RELATIONSHIP WITH MAINLAND CHINA – THE PLACE WHERE MANY TAIWANESE CLAIM THEIR HERITAGE. VO Narrator Shots of people shopping at the Sheng Keng market WITH SOME SAYING THEY ARE CHINESE AND OTHERS DECLARING THMESELVES TAIWANESE, THE SOCIETY’S CULTURAL IDENTITY IS STILL IN FLUX. SOT Ma Ying-jeou When we talk about “Chinese”, it does have different meanings. [OnC] For people born in the West, when they hear the term “Chinese,” they are thinking about people from the “People’s Republic of China,” right? But here in Taiwan it has slightly different meanings. It has a cultural, ethnic or historical meaning. VO Narrator stills from pre-election rallies in March with Ma on the big screen IN MARCH 2008 FOR THEIR FOURTH DEMOCRATIC PRESDIENTIAL ELECTIONS, THE TAIWANESE VOTED FORMER MAYOR OF TAIPEI MA YING- JEOU INTO OFFICE. VO Narrator MA SAYS THE TAIWANESE AND CHINESE CULTURES ARE INTERTWINED. THE SHARED HISTORY MOTIVATES HIS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - THAT TAIWAN CAN AIM FOR BETTER RELATIONS WITH THE MAINLAND WHILE STILL MAINTAINING SOVEREIGNTY. VO Narrator Legislation building City Hall of Taipei MA REPLACED PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI- BIAN, WHOSE ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO HOLD REFERENDUMS FOR 3 TAIWAN’S FORMAL INDEPENDENCE. VO Narrator Wide of Liberty Square’s new sign Children playing outside by the gate with pigeons WHILE TAIWAN’S OFFICIAL NAME IS STILL THE “REPUBLIC OF CHINA,” CHEN SAYS HE AND HIS PARTY STROVE TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE MAINLAND. SOT Mike Cheng Various flags outside government building [subtitled] For people like President Chen, // they consider the “Republic of China” a regime brought to Taiwan by the so-called Mainlanders. VO Narrator Exterior shots of Banqiao – city skyline on right and left of street, some neon lights MIKE CHENG LIVES JUST OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL CITY OF TAIPEI AND WORKS IN STOCK EXCHANGE. SOT Mike Cheng CG: Stock Broker [subtitled/OnC] In President Chen’s opinion, I represent those who are native. So whenever elections come, he always stresses the difference in order to optimize his political game. In fact, Taiwan consists of many different waves of immigrants including the aborigines and the haka people in addition to the “native” and “Mainlander” people. VO Narrator Exterior beauty shots of hills and Chinese pagoda “NATIVE.” “MAINLANDER.” “HAKA.” THESE ARE TERMS DESCRIBING WHERE PEOPLE CAME FROM IN THE VARIOUS WAVES OF IMMIGRATION – A CAUSE OF CONFLICT IN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT TAIWAN’S INDEPENDENCE FROM THE MAINLAND. VO Narrator Exterior of temple in Sheng Keng Exterior harbor shots of Kaoshiung A HISTORY OF LONG OCCUPATION BY CHINA MAKES TAIWAN’S CULTURE VERY CHINESE – MANDARIN IS STILL WIDELY SPOKEN AND THE TAIWANESE 4 DIALECT ORIGINATES FROM SOUTHEASTERN CHINA. VO Narrator Japanese homes in Taipei in alleyways BUT PREVIOUS RULE BY THE DUTCH, THE SPANISH AND THE JAPANESE LEFT UNIQUE, NON-CHINESE REMNANTS TO THE SOCIETY – LIKE THESE DESERTED JAPANESE-STYLE HOMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAPITAL, TAIPEI. VO Narrator Close-up of tofu on sale at the Sheng Keng market, following customer’s feet low to the ground as she walks forward Sign of tofu dishes named after politicians (in handwritten characters) STILL, RELATIONS BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA GO THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAIWANESE BUSINESS DEPENDS MORE AND MORE ON CHINA’S THRIVING ECONOMY. SOT Ma Ying-jeou Shots of old buildings in Sheng Keng done in Chinese style The future of Taiwan is intimately connected with regional stability, where Mainland China and America are major players. [OnC] If things really go bad, it could mean hostilities between the two giants, which nobody really wants. So this is really a tightrope situation. Any leader of Taiwan should be very careful in making Taiwan free from any of these troubles. VO Narrator Interior of Ma’s campaign office walls (horse decoration) PRESIDENT-ELECT MA YING-JEOU BELONGS TO THE KUOMINTANG – THE ORIGINAL PARTY OF CHINESE NATIONALISTS WHO FOUGHT MAO’S COMMUNIST ARMY. VO Narrator Still of Chiang Kai-shek, Chiang Jing- guo and Deng Xiao-ping (in that order) THE KUOMINTANG – OR KMT – RULED TAIWAN UNDER MARTIAL LAW AFTER WORLD WAR II AND WON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 1996. VO Narrator Outside Chiang Kai-shek Memorial BUT THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC 5 Flags of Taiwan along side of road PROGRESSIVE PARTY DEFEATED THE KMT FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 2000. THEY EMPHASIZE TAIWAN’S INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao Sign of Bi-khim’s name on her door China’s growing influence has certainly impacted Taiwan’s international survival space. VO Narrator Interior shots of her office and assistants BI-KHIM HSIAO IS A LEGISLATOR FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY OR ‘DPP’. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao Interior lobby of legislative building – politicians and media passing in and out China has very skillfully utilized its soft power and its hard power to try to [OnC] stifle Taiwan’s international presence. Because we believe Taiwan’s democracy is a threat to the legitimacy to the government or the regime in Beijing. VO Narrator Map of Taiwan on the wall of the Mainland Affairs Council hallway SINCE ASSUMING THE PRESIDENCY IN 2000, PRESIDENT CHEN HIGHLIGHTED NATIVE TAIWANESE CULTURE, SOMETIMES EVEN ADDRESSING CROWDS IN THE TAIWANESE DIALECT. VO Narrator Exterior huge poster of a DPP legislator, pan to busy street BUT FINANCIAL SCANDAL AMONG OFFICIALS AND A SUFFERING ECONOMY OVER HIS EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE PLAGUED HIS AND HIS PARTY’S IMAGE. SOT Mike Cheng Outside of their home in alleyway, pan from apartment exterior upward to see [subtitled/OnC] Eight years ago, we had such high hopes that the DPP would lead Taiwan to new heights and would eliminate the corruption left by the KMT. Perhaps the international environment also played a role, but the fact is that during the past eight years it’s been a disappointment. [Off] Not only has the economy been bad, the government has been just as corrupt. So there’s the mood that 6 clothes hanging on the line perhaps it’s time to switch back to the KMT and let them try again. VO Narrator CHENG AND HIS RELATIVES HAVEN’T VOTED IN THE LAST SEVERAL ELECTIONS. SOT Chun-Hua Chun-Hua standing by her grandkids [subtitled] What we’re doing with our democracy here is more to exercise our right to vote for some candidate. In fact, we really don’t know very much about those candidates. [OnC] Democracy is really not necessarily right. Very often, it happens only after the election we realize that we’ve chosen the wrong person. But by then it’s already too late. Looking at what’s happening now, I really don’t want to vote. Look at those ‘au bo’ (dirty tricks). I don’t want to vote. VO Narrator Shots of food on table – tea, sweet cakes, women offering more food MIKE CHENG’S MOTHER-IN-LAW, CHUN- HUA, WAS BORN IN TAIWAN IN 1949 – THE YEAR THE KMT FLED THE COMMUNISTS AND CAME TO RULE ON THE ISLAND. SOT Chun-Hua CG: Banqiao, Taiwan [subtitled/OnC] I lost my interest in voting – in fact I haven’t voted in the last three elections. I voted for Lee Deng-hui in ’96. And since then I haven’t voted. SOT Mike Cheng [subtitled/OnC] I’m not with any party right now, because I’m disappointed in both sides. VO Narrator Shots of family member making coffee Chun-Hua talking to another daughter FOR SOME WHO REMEMBER TAIWAN BEFORE THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES, THE VOTE IS STILL OUT ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM MARTIAL LAW TO DEMOCRACY. SOT Chun-Hua [subtitled] I think I have the nostalgia of the era when I was young. Although we were poor, we worked hard, and the society was relatively 7 stable. And we felt happier. SOT Yi-Roung [subtitled/OnC] I was very disappointed by politics. Perhaps because I grew up in the era of Chiang Jing-guo. VO Narrator Yi-Roung with baby on his shoulder YI-ROUNG IS CHUN-HUA’S SON. SOT Yi-Roung CG: Construction Businessman [subtitled] In those days under the martial law, the country was not as free, our information access was quite limited. [OnC] The ruling party typically screened the information before it was released to the public. But I personally feel like that was a better time. The society was more stable, and the economy was more prosperous. VO Narrator Women at the dining table eating noodle soup MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY SAY TOO MUCH FREEDOM CAN BE CHAOTIC AND UNPRODUCTIVE. SOT Yi-Roung Ma singing songs with my dad Billboard posters of Ma [subtitled/OnC] Most of us are worrying about tricks the authorities may play to turn the tables to their own benefit, as they did 7 years ago when the current president was elected. Ma Ying-jeou is gentlemanly, and he was a very good law student at Harvard. And he would play it by the rules, but when you are confronted by tricksters like those politicians in power, people are not quite sure that Ma Ying- jeou can eventually win. VO Narrator Shots of TV trucks parked outside government buildings FANNING THE FLAMES OF SUCH DISCONTENT ARE THE MEDIA - WHICH CAPITALIZE ON ALLEGIANCES TO ‘BLUE’ MEANING KMT, OR ‘GREEN’ MEANING DPP. SOT Chun-Hua Green and Blue election billboards [subtitled] There are stations that are clearly pro-blue, which do nothing but criticize the green. There are other stations that are pro- green and criticize the blue all the time. I don’t watch any of those. // [OnC] Now the news 8 media seems to be able to get any kind of information, but they’re also much more vicious. (laughing) These days, because of the style of the news, it makes the society feel uneasy. SOT Yi-Roung [subtitled/OnC] All anyone cares about is living. So this type of campaign tactics should be minimized. For example, the way the media handles the issues I feel exaggerates it too much. And unnecessary. These have induced anxiety within us. SOT Yu Kwang Chung Shots of Yu in his office The KMT is believed to be rather strict on the press and on the media, while it was in power, but somehow we have managed to stay away from trouble. VO Narrator Shots of pictures and books on Yu’s shelves, his magazine covers and photos of his family PROFESSOR YU KWANG CHUNG IS A RENOWNED WRITER WHOSE WORKS ARE STUDIED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS ALL OVER ASIA. SOT Yu Kwang Chung [OnC] Since 1988 we have much more freedom in expressing ourselves, even politically. But then we find out even with so much freedom, it does not follow that our writing must improve. VO Narrator CU on Yu autographing a book PROFESSOR YU TEACHES CLASSES IN TRANSLATING CHINESE AND ENGLISH LITERATURE AT THE NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN. ACT Professor Yu [Prof. Yu reads his poem] VO Narrator Wide of him reading at desk HIS POEMS OVER THE YEARS RANGED IN TOPIC FROM REMINISCING ON HIS HOMELAND OF CHINA TO TAIWANESE CULTURAL COMMENTARY. 9 ACT [Prof. Yu finishes reading his poem] SOT Yu Kwang Chung CG: Professor of Literature National Sun Yat-Sen University Interior of taxi with driver speaking passionately Drive-by shots of Kaoshiung from the taxi – motorcycles alongside cars, people walking up stairs to a museum on a hilltop The present situation in Taiwan can be very well be explained in terms of Yates’ famous lines: “the best lack all convictions, and the worst are full of passionate intensity.” So he was being very prophetic in being an artist. But an artist can say things which years later will be found true, even truer, even more insightful than political scientists.// at least in the last 7 or 8 years, the situation is becoming worse and worse because authorities are not interested in improving people’s lives. They would stress sooner the differences of political attitudes. // They would make use of the split between independence and unification. Economically, materially, I think our life is getting worse year after year. Although we enjoy almost the complete freedom of speech, but nobody would listen to us. VO Narrator Various shots of the university grounds – students talking and eating on the steps to the entrance BUT HE SAYS THE POLITICAL ATTITUDES ARE WHAT MAKE TAIWAN DIFFERENT FROM ITS AUTHORITARIAN NEIGHBOR. SOT Yu Kwang Chung Wide of the ocean view from the higher levels of the university building It is quite crucial in differentiating life in Taiwan and life on the Mainland. But then democracy here is still immature, because it is awfully election-oriented. [OnC] And most of the politicians look only as far the next vote. Very few of them would look beyond the election. And beyond their own interests or the interests of their own party. So we do need statesmen. I hope Ma Ying-jeou will be that one. VO Narrator CU on Hsiao’s hands, signing papers FOR LEGISLATOR HSIAO OF THE DPP, THE OUTLOOK ON PRESENT-DAY POLITICS IS MUCH MORE POSITIVE. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao Seaside shots of Kaoshiung I grew up in southern Taiwan. At the time Taiwan was still under martial law. Things were very different. There was no discussion of 10 The oldest train station in the city More harbor shots of Kaoshiung, boats docking on the side CG: Legislator Democratic Progressive Party Taiwan’s more recent history, especially the political history.// You know, whatever the authority says, was the mandate. // In the past, the people had to, in a sense, go to the government to beg for their rights or to be taken care of.// But after coming back again, after 10 years of living in the U.S., I felt Taiwan was a much more liberated society. // [OnC] There’s certainly a stronger sense of rights. Not only on the political side, but in terms of the living environment, in terms of ensuring that the basic way of living is protected. I think our people have a much stronger sense of rights. And they’re willing to organize themselves and willing to challenge government authority. VO Narrator Presidential palace, zoom out to reveal poster for UN petition HSIAO SAYS THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT OBSTACLE HOWEVER, BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao Nighttime shots of busy streets, rows of motorcycles parked, people walking along streets, inside of a bookstore #1, national identity, national security issues.// [OnC] The DPP believes that consolidating democracy and consolidating the Taiwan identity with democracy as its core value is paramount to ensuring our national security. Because if our people don’t identify with Taiwan as a country, if the people don’t share the same level of commitment in defending our democracy, then Taiwan could easily be swallowed up by China.// I think that’s the most significant aspect of what’s at stake. VO Narrator [more stills from the election weekend] FOR MA AND THE KMT, IDENTIFYING WITH TAIWAN AS A COUNTRY DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN CHINA IS A THREAT. SOT Ma Ying-jeou CG: Presidential Candidate, Kuomintang Midshot of government building with The sense of Taiwanese does not equal to the sense of Taiwanese independence. Because independence is a political attitude. // [OnC] Compared to twenty or thirty years ago, I think the situation is much better now. In the sense 11 Taiwanese flag on top, zoom in that people pay more attention to tangible, or present things instead of ideological things, particularly in the last seven years. VO Narrator CU of children and their parents at a playground, zoom out to street THE PRIORITY OF FOCUS CAN BE DEBATED. THE IDEOLOGICAL – NATIONALITY AND IDENTITY, OR THE TANGIBLE – THINGS LIKE ECONOMY AND EDUCATION. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao “Sing for Freedom” banner in Memorial Hall’s courtyard We hope that after the next election – which, again, we hope will be the last election in which identity politics are so dominating – [off] that future elections in Taiwan can be focused on economy, socioeconomic issues. VO Narrator Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall CU of sign that’s been changed Kids playing in the courtyard with pigeons THE DPP HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING TO CHANGE CERTAIN NAMES TO DISTANCE THE CURRENT TAIWAN FROM THE OLD CHINESE REGIME. VO Narrator THEY RECENTLY CHANGED THE NAME OF THE CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL TO THE ‘NATIONAL TAIWAN DEMOCRACY MEMORIAL HALL.’ SOT Chun-Hua [subtitled/OnC] Instead of finding a compromise between the two parties before taking action, they just went ahead and did it. That resulted in such a big conflict between the two sides. Even a news reporter was injured on site by the mob. It pains me. VO Narrator More shots of Western-style presidential palace, traffic flowing in front of entrance Pan down the street to see pagoda at THE DPP HAS ALSO DISCUSSED DROPPING THE NAME “REPUBLIC OF CHINA” FOR “REPUBLIC OF TAIWAN.” 12 the other end VO Narrator Video from Taiwan’s news broadcast with DPP bowing in apology to their supporters BUT THEIR LOSS IN THE 2008 ELECTIONS SIGNALS AN ATTITUDE AMONG TAIWANESE FOR CLOSER ECONOMIC TIES TO THE MAINLAND REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL STRIFE. SOT Yi-Roung “Independence” vs. “unification” is a non-issue. [OnC] Since 1996, we have been able to elect our president directly, but what is this presidency? It’s the presidency in Taiwan, which has nothing to do with Mainland China. So in that sense, Taiwan is already an independent state. It looks like it all boils down to the name. Whether you want it to be called “Taiwan” or “Republic of China.” To me, that’s not that critical. VO Narrator Workers loading up a small trolley at the night market, customers passing by storefronts THOSE WITH AN AFFINITY TO THEIR CHINESE ANCESTRY MAY LEAN IN FAVOR OF THE KMT, WHILE MANY NATIVE-BORN TAIWANESE TEND TO SUPPORT THE DPP. VO Narrator Vendors at night market shouting things in Chinese, ladies making onion pancakes BUT THESE LINES ARE NOW BLURRED AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHINESE OR TAIWANESE ISN’T ALWAYS CLEAR. SOT Yu Kwang Chung CU on tons of motorbikes coming toward camera, zoom out [stills of moon cakes from Mid-autumn moon festival] At present I believe and the press says so – the majority of young readers believe themselves to be mainly or exclusively Taiwanese. I would say only ¼ or 1/5 or 1/6 would claim that they are at the same time Chinese. But when it comes to the cultural traditions – the festivals, like Qing Ming Jie, and the Double 5, the Mid Autumn Festival and so on, everyone is still very much Chinese here. It is only when you come to political awareness when you come to think of yourself as a citizen of a certain 13 country many would say that they are Taiwanese. // I would consider the situation as concentric circles. The big one, inclusive of everything, is Chinese. SOT Mike Cheng Foreign flags upward shot with Taipei 101 in background We are a people with 5,000 years of history – a very rich culture. During the Chiang Kai-shek reign, the goal was to recover Mainland China so the nation could be unified again. The present textbook contents have changed quite a lot. Nowadays the history covers only the Taiwan portion, as well as geography. VO Narrator Street signs to go north or south Rural grounds in Shengkeng with a small patch of vegetables MIKE CHENG SAYS HE WAS TAUGHT CHINESE HISTORY IN SCHOOL AND THAT HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF CHINESE DESPITE BEING BORN IN TAIWAN. ACT [Mother-in-law] Why? [Mike] Why not? We’re all Chinese. We all originated from China. [Mother-in-law] But weren’t you born here twenty-some years ago? And you grew up here. [Mike] Yeah, you will have your chance to say what you want later. [Mother-in-law] But maybe by then I forgot what this conversation was about. SOT Chun-Hua He said that Taiwanese is “Chinese.” But my interpretation is different. Although our ancestors came from China, they’ve been here for generations and they have relied on themselves. We’ve never counted on China. VO Narrator Factory stacks from the bullet train window Pulling into bullet train station with sign “thank you for traveling on Taiwan High Speed Rail” THE TWO NATIONS FUNCTION SEPARATELY – TAIWAN MODERNIZED AND ITS ECONOMY GREW MUCH EARLIER THAN CHINA’S ECONOMIC BOOM. 14 SOT Yi-Roung During those days, it’s said that we were 30 years more advanced than Mainland China. But over the years, we’ve stagnated, and yet the other side has rapidly caught up with us. VO Narrator [stills of McDonald’s with Chinese characters from the internet] TAIWAN’S ACCESS TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION WHILE CHINA WAS “CLOSED” ALLOWED THE TAIWANESE TO TRAVEL AND RETURN WITH WESTERN IDEAS. SOT Yu Kwang Chung It was only after we had so many students coming back from abroad, bringing back democratic thoughts from the U.S. and later from Europe that there is more and more a need for freedom of speech. SOT Bi-khim Hsiao And the irony is that over the past 20 years, just as Taiwan is becoming much more democratic, our path of democratization also coincides with the opening up of China. VO Narrator Video of Taiwan’s newscast of election results AND THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROVED TO BE ANOTHER POLITICAL BAROMETER. VO Narrator Video of election results continued SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION TURNED OUT TO VOTE - A STAGGERING PERCENTAGE FOR ANY COUNTRY. BUT PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR A PEOPLE WHOSE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IS ONLY TWENTY YEARS OLD. THE CITIZENS’ GRADUAL GRASP OF VOTING SHAPES TAIWAN’S IDENTITY AND FUTURE. Wide of couple in Kaoshiung taking their wedding photos by the sea SOT Yi-Roung To me, a very ordinary citizen, I don’t think it matters who is elected. What’s more important is to improve our daily lives. That people have jobs, families feel secure, and the society 15 CG: Construction Businessman Cheng family’s little girls playing with their dolls remains stable. These are more important. // You hear all those political statements based on racial prejudice. That’s really bad. I work in the construction business, and we tend to be in touch with a wide spectrum of people, from native Taiwanese to haka to Mainlanders and “Taiwanese.” And we never try to distinguish among them. In fact by now, even Mainlanders after 2-3 generations, our accents are quite indistinguishable. And we treat everyone the same. VO Narrator Midshot of limo parked outside legislative building, outside of front lobby doors THE DYNAMIC AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BIRTHPLACES AND THE BALANCE OF POWER IN GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT AS TAIWAN’S DEMOCRACY MATURES. SOT Yu Kwang Chung Wide of high-rise buildings in downtown Taipei, traffic from an aerial shot with skyline visible We are seriously and unfortunately affected by an immature democracy here in Taiwan. And wherever you go, on both sides of the strait, political correctness I would say, usually lasts much shorter than cultural heritage. For instance on the Mainland, Mao Ze Dong said ‘with more people, we can perform more.’ So the population boomed. And then out of desperate remedy, they had to limit the birth rate to one child per family. These are just periods of political correctness which usually lasts 10 years. But we have had thousands of Chinese culture. So I used to say to my audience on the Mainland – “don’t emphasize 50 years of political differences at the expense of 5,000 years of cultural heritage.” That’s my main attitude to politics and culture. 16 BIBLIOGRAPHY Chen, Ming-Tong, and Kiel Downey. Republic of China. The Taiwan Security Research Group. Mainland Affairs Council. The China Threat Crosses the Strait: Challenges and Strategies for Taiwan's National Security. Taipei, 2006. China Post. <www.chinapost.com.tw>. Kynge, James. China Shakes the World. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. Lynch, Daniel C. Rising China and Asian Democratization: Socialization to “Global Culture” in the Political Transformations of Thailand, China, and Taiwan. Stanford UP, 2006. New York Times. <www.nytimes.com>. Taipei Times. <www.taipeitimes.com>.
Abstract (if available)
Abstract
In 1987, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, ended martial law and began an era of democratically elected government. With this change, new conflicts resurfaced with the neighboring People 's Republic of China. Once the stronghold of Chinese Nationalists, Taiwan continues to face tension with the Mainland regarding its sovereignty.
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University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses
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The popularizing and politicizing of queer media images in Taiwan: 1997 to the present
Asset Metadata
Creator
Chen, Natasha Y.
(author)
Core Title
Democracy in Taiwan
School
Annenberg School for Communication
Degree
Master of Arts
Degree Program
Journalism (Broadcast Journalism)
Publication Date
04/28/2008
Defense Date
04/01/2008
Publisher
University of Southern California
(original),
University of Southern California. Libraries
(digital)
Tag
Bi-khim Hsiao,Chen Shui-bian,China,democracy,Democratic Progressive Party,Economy,Elections,Frank Hsieh,Kuomintang,Ma Ying-jeou,OAI-PMH Harvest,Taiwan,voter
Place Name
China
(countries),
Taiwan
(countries)
Language
English
Advisor
Saltzman, Joseph (
committee chair
), Birman, Daniel H. (
committee member
), Lynch, Daniel C. (
committee member
)
Creator Email
natashaychen@gmail.com
Permanent Link (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-m1204
Unique identifier
UC1416061
Identifier
etd-Chen-20080428 (filename),usctheses-m40 (legacy collection record id),usctheses-c127-59797 (legacy record id),usctheses-m1204 (legacy record id)
Legacy Identifier
etd-Chen-20080428.pdf
Dmrecord
59797
Document Type
Project
Rights
Chen, Natasha Y.
Type
texts
Source
University of Southern California
(contributing entity),
University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses
(collection)
Repository Name
Libraries, University of Southern California
Repository Location
Los Angeles, California
Repository Email
cisadmin@lib.usc.edu
Tags
Bi-khim Hsiao
Chen Shui-bian
Democratic Progressive Party
Frank Hsieh
Kuomintang
Ma Ying-jeou
voter