• Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Hello from Taiwan, everyone! I haven’t lived here for all that long but it’s really a fantastic country. It has it’s problems for sure but it’s a great place to visit. Here are some other random things about Taiwan:

    I recently had a medical issue that required 5 doctors visits, a blood test, an ultrasound and two weeks worth of medication. In total this cost me around $30 USD.

    All citizens here can vote.

    Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalise same sex marriage.

    People can and do regularly criticise their government, even on TV. Oh we can access the internet freely as well! CEOs also don’t randomly disappear after speaking critically about the countries leadership.

    Back when China shot a bunch of missiles into the sea around the country (fuck you, btw), the news was interviewing people asking them if they were worried and it was great. There was a fisherman they talked to and he just waved his and and said “whatever, we just don’t fish there today”.

    It’s a pretty strange and cool feeling to be able to “buy local” when purchasing laptops and electronics at least for me who lived in a country without much manufacturing beforehand.

    So anyway, I don’t really know what I’m trying to say except that Taiwan is an awesome country. Hopefully the geopolitical situation can improve for us one day. Hope you’re all doing awesome wherever you are.

    • ghost_laptop@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Hello from Taiwan, everyone! I haven’t lived here for all that long but it’s really a fantastic country. It has it’s problems for sure but it’s a great place to visit. Here are some other random things about Taiwan:

    • Deez@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Thank you for sharing your culture with us. I hope you and your family are doing well.

    • GiuseppeAndTheYeti@midwest.social
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      1 year ago

      How do you view mainland china? Do you recognize that land as a separate country? Do you believe that land to be contested as belonging to the Taiwanese government since the Civil War in 1951(?). If the population of mainland China collapses and the Chinese communist government fails would you want the Taiwanese government to seize control of the mainland and reunite China or would you prefer to keep the two landmasses independent countries?

      • Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        I think it shouldn’t be up to me (I’m a foreigner here) but the Taiwanese people should be free to be self governing if that’s what they want. Meaning a separate China and Taiwan which is the defacto reality right now. Not sure what you’re getting at with your other questions and I’m not an expert by any means but from my understanding the main thing preventing this is China’s anti-secession law.

        • GiuseppeAndTheYeti@midwest.social
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          1 year ago

          I’m just curious to see what Taiwanese people would think if the inverse becomes the reality. Taiwan is able to usurp the mainland Chinese government or fend off a CCP invasion. Would they want to take back the Chinese mainland and reunify it with Taiwan under a democracy or maintain independence?

          • Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works
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            1 year ago

            My understanding is that a distinct national identity has formed in Taiwan and that seems to be strengthening over time so I’d be surprised if many folks would want to take back the mainland but I could be wrong.