Living in the shadow of war
By Michael Ptomey, 04.15.05
They are Taiwan’s emerging generation, and they are looking forward to the rest of their lives. But war tends to ruin plans. It is a subject that most young adults would rather not think about. They would rather listen to their iPods, and ignore the constant threat that exists across the straight of Taiwan. Little white cords dangle from their ears as they walk down the streets of Taipei. The music drowns out the noise, the noise of politics, the noise of uncertainty, the noise of conflict.
Taiwan’s twenty-something generation is attempting to play the part of the apathetic young adult, even when a communist neighbor is only 200 kilometers away, a neighbor that claims Taiwan is a rogue province and will be taken back with force if necessary.
In 1945, the fleeing Chinese nationalist came to Taiwan to escape the rule of the communist party. They have lived in Taiwan ever since, while the two governments are dancing the salsa of geo-politics. In March, 2005, China passed an anti-secession law that states China can use force to bring Taiwan back under mainland rule. With growing economic ties between Taiwan and China, the Chinese administration found it necessary to reemphasize their stance on the use of military force.
The tension between the two states is nothing new to the young adults of Taiwan; it is part of growing up. Most are separated two generations from their mainland ancestry, a past they know little about and don’t care to learn.
“They don’t know their history; they have lived here their whole lives and feel separate from mainland China,” said Ai-Ling Wang, a professor at Tamkang University near Taipei.
Political disconnect exists between the older and younger generations regarding independence. The Kuomintang party had been in power for more than 50 years until 2000. Its policy has been one of reunification with China. The majority of those who fled China in 1945 are part of Kuomintang party. The younger generation who has grown up on the island of Taiwan does not have the same identification with the mainland as the previous generation. The current controlling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supports an independent Taiwan and would like to see the constitution ratified to make this official.
“I am Chinese, there are Chinese who live all over Asia, but I support a free and independent Taiwan, my cultural identity is Chinese but I believe that Taiwan is a separate and free land, China can not tell us what to do,” said Tatto, a student from Taipei.
The controlling DDP party would agree with Tatu sentiments. This has caused the older Kuomintang party to grow in relationship with the main land government and distance themselves from the DDP. Growing economic relation between the two states is an issue. China has stated that they will use force against Taiwan if necessary, but as Taiwan’s economy continues to emerge, using force against Taiwan could be to costly for both sides.
A generation that has lived their entire lives in a free Taiwan will soon be taking the place of leadership from the previous generation. They consider themselves ethnically Chinese but free from the communist rule of the mainland. For now they are happy to maintain peace. Fears exist, but they are not discussed. It is a cloud that hangs over the hopes of the young adult.
“I don’t want to go to war, because I don’t want to die,” said Kathleen, a student at Tamkang University.
