Taiwan Blog Feed

Still my favorite newsrag, IHT had this article on how “Taiwan hopes to attract Chinese tourists with rich culture, free society”:

Among the Taiwanese sites expected to attract mainland visitors are picturesque Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan and Mt. Ali, where according to a song as well known on the mainland as it is in Taiwan, “the maidens are as lovely as water, the lads as strong as mountains. [...] Another likely attraction is an elaborate mausoleum to the memory of Chiang Kai-shek, located in the rugged mountain country of northern Taiwan.”

Yah, those Nantou [南投] girls are indeed famously pretty, and it’s true that the Taiwanese have interbred with the indigenous native population so much that the men are bigger and stronger than the Chinese. In fact, it makes little sense to consider the Taiwanese part of the “Han race” anymore, but I won’t get into that. Point is, tourist bucks:

In Ilan, a 90-minute train ride from the capital of Taipei, the National Center for Traditional Arts hopes to draw Chinese visitors to performances of folk acrobatics and colorful dramas that Taiwanese immigrants brought from southern China in the 17th and 18th centuries.

I was in Ilan only last week, and gosh, let me tell you stuff there is even more expensive than it is in Taipei! Having all those hotsprings has gone to the people’s heads there because they have absolutely no qualms about charging one person (i.e., me) ca. US$12 for a modest meal of teppanyaki. A dash of greed, and serving of desperation, and a bit of inflation–it all adds up to a dish that tastes bitter as hell to me and a lot of other ordinary people. Fucking politicians…

Anyway, “selling your culture”: good or bad? I’d say good if it drives home the lesson to the Chinese that this place doesn’t belong to them, bad if people get greedy and start charging an arm-and-a-leg for EVERYTHING and the inflation kicks in (as I fear it will with all these RMBs being used everywhere). Doubly bad if it backfires and the Taiwanese get into international incidents involving crass, bourgeois Chinese who get their asses kicked for bullying our local people.

That is all.

Whenever the blue bugs of spring bite or I feel slightly non-happy, I do what every nice Taiwanese boy does: I look at hot chicks on the internet. Recently this has amounted to exercising my democratic right to rank babes according to their degree of relative hotness at diggirls.net, but it also means steeping myself in the cultural knowledge of which babes in Taiwan/Hong Kong have the most awesomest figures according to Master Baidu. Yes, Taiwanese politics has reduced me to this level of depraved cynicism (notice how I didn’t blame this on the oppressive, mildewy climate of N. Taiwan, or the way my hippy mom brought me up), and I know I’m probably going to hell for it, but here’s the TW/HK ‘babes of Baidu’*:

港台女明星

更多>>

蔡依林	张韶涵	王心凌	徐若瑄	林志玲	王菲	S.H.E	Twins
徐熙媛	桂纶镁	林依晨	陈乔恩	梁静茹	蔡诗芸	范玮琪	廖碧儿
张柏芝	李嘉欣	容祖儿	李玟	贾静雯	MaggieQ	林心如	朱茵
叶璇	唐宁	曾之乔	安以轩	杨丞琳	侯佩岑	同恩	陈松伶
文颂娴	梁凯蒂	林韦君	陈思璇	曹敏莉	乐基儿	郑雪儿	佘诗曼
郑秀文	萧蔷	温碧霞	刘嘉玲	刘玉玲	林熙蕾	李若彤	张曼玉
关之琳	陈慧琳	萧淑慎	蔡少芬	萧亚轩	田丽	杨采妮	李丽珍
琦琦	天心	任港秀	杨思敏	郭静纯	钟丽缇	孙燕姿	叶玉卿
翁红	邱淑贞	蔡淑臻	梁咏琪	季芹	舒淇	莫文蔚	戴佩妮
刘若英	杨千桦	范伟琪	徐熙娣	陈宝莲	吴辰君	张庭	林嘉欣
俞飞鸿	叶子楣	周海媚	伊能静	蜜雪薇琪	侯湘婷	Hebe	应采儿
4 in Love	许茹芸	吴佩慈	郑希怡	范文芳	李彩桦	蔡淳佳	本多RuRu
范晓萱	张惠妹	林忆莲	关心妍	卓依婷	杨恭如	陈文媛	吴小莉
梅艳芳	林青霞	赵雅芝	孟庭苇	吴倩莲	陈慧珊	许慧欣	黎姿
周慧敏	钟楚红	蔡琴	齐豫	邓丽君	林凤娇	陈玉莲	周冰倩
杨惠姗	金素梅	翁美玲	高胜美	甄妮	胡慧中	邝美云	俞小凡
吕秀菱	萧芳芳	刘雪华	潘迎紫	梁雁翎	汪明荃	苏芮	冯宝宝
利智	张艾嘉	叶倩文	陈淑桦	郑裕玲	潘越云	凤飞飞	喻可欣

As for my current diggirls.net fetish, well, it all began when I (thought I) spotted one of my hot neighbors–one of the girls in my building mentioned elsewhere on here, somewhere–in the alleyway outside my apt. (trans: very similar, unforgettable erotic thigh tattoo). I gave her an thumbsup DIGG because of her threatening levels of hot and the gorgeous bizarrely big anime-girl eyes, etc…Not because I think my vote to digg/bury her really mattered. Though it did. (See image of Vivian top right).

Warmest Regards,

-Diogenes S. Hwang (a.k.a., Nostalgiphile), Esq.

Pingjhen

PS: Our friend Señor Yak-sox, on special assignment to Shanghai, tells us this weblog is blocked/BANNED in the PRC. Yes, I’m quite relieved to know this–at least I can sleep nights knowing that I’m not corrupting our fine Chinese youth with this material.

“Liberty consists of being able to do anything that does not harm others: thus, the exercise of the natural rights of every man or woman has no bounds other than those that guarantee other members of society the enjoyment of these same rights.” — The Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789

In the wake of the April 7th Paris protests against Beijing’s “genocide olympics” (文化屠殺奧運) the IHT reported on the recent Chinese ultranationalist protests against France within the PRC:

The current rise in nationalist sentiment has been accompanied by a backlash against Western media organizations, especially the broadcaster CNN, for what is perceived as biased reporting on recent unrest in Tibet. Foreign journalists have received angry phone calls and e-mail messages, and in some cases death threats.

In addition to CNN, the anti-France mobs of China have singled out Carrefour (家樂福) as a focus of their protests, calling for a boycott of French goods there and elsewhere in China. In using this market-savvy western method of anti-globalization protest, our Chinese nationalists make me feel less regret about continuing to boycott their Chinese goods. In fact, I wish more people would learn from the Chinese and realize that, yes, it’s very much a matter of our (US, French, Taiwanese, etc) pocketbooks versus their’s (China’s).

I’m not calling for an all out mass boycott of “Made in China” goods, but if the Chinese want to start such anti-foreign products conflicts I think they have a lot more to lose than our (non-product-producing) countries do. Encouraged by the government, expect such protests to grow rapidly after the Olympics finally pass and this anti-foreign sentiment is allowed to grow unchecked by the PRC police:

Over the weekend, protesters waving Chinese flags rallied in front of the French Embassy in Beijing and at outlets of the French retailer Carrefour in nine Chinese cities.

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, said Tuesday that the Carrefour demonstrations were “encouraging and touching,” but added that China did not agree with certain radical actions during the protests.

What we have here is the growing kernel of a fascist society where, despite what the leaders may say superficially, they tacitly fan the flames of the anti-foreign ultra-nationalist sentiment. Controlling (expanding, promoting, and let’s not forget, ending) these actions is of primary concern to the CCP, and so far they have shown themselves to be far more cunning than Hitler, Mussolini, or own Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek at doing so. But that doesn’t mean they will be able to (or inclined to) control these bursts of nationalism in the future.

Watch out free world, China’s “harmonious society” is about to make you pay for your democratic values and the “disruptions” they’ve caused.

More on the Beijing “Motherfucking Olympics” (奧你媽的運).

“Liberty consists of being able to do anything that does not harm others: thus, the exercise of the natural rights of every man or woman has no bounds other than those that guarantee other members of society the enjoyment of these same rights.” — The Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789

In the wake of the April 7th Paris protests against Beijing’s “genocide olympics” (文化屠殺奧運) the IHT reported on the recent Chinese ultranationalist protests against France within the PRC:

The current rise in nationalist sentiment has been accompanied by a backlash against Western media organizations, especially the broadcaster CNN, for what is perceived as biased reporting on recent unrest in Tibet. Foreign journalists have received angry phone calls and e-mail messages, and in some cases death threats.

In addition to CNN, the anti-France mobs of China have singled out Carrefour (家樂福) as a focus of their protests, calling for a boycott of French goods there and elsewhere in China. In using this market-savvy western method of anti-globalization protest, our Chinese nationalists make me feel less regret about continuing to boycott their Chinese goods. In fact, I wish more people would learn from the Chinese and realize that, yes, it’s very much a matter of our (US, French, Taiwanese, etc) pocketbooks versus their’s (China’s).

I’m not calling for an all out mass boycott of “Made in China” goods, but if the Chinese want to start such anti-foreign products conflicts I think they have a lot more to lose than our (non-product-producing) countries do. Encouraged by the government, expect such protests to grow rapidly after the Olympics finally pass and this anti-foreign sentiment is allowed to grow unchecked by the PRC police:

Over the weekend, protesters waving Chinese flags rallied in front of the French Embassy in Beijing and at outlets of the French retailer Carrefour in nine Chinese cities.

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, said Tuesday that the Carrefour demonstrations were “encouraging and touching,” but added that China did not agree with certain radical actions during the protests.

What we have here is the growing kernel of a fascist society where, despite what the leaders may say superficially, they tacitly fan the flames of the anti-foreign ultra-nationalist sentiment. Controlling (expanding, promoting, and let’s not forget, ending) these actions is of primary concern to the CCP, and so far they have shown themselves to be far more cunning than Hitler, Mussolini, or own Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek at doing so. But that doesn’t mean they will be able to (or inclined to) control these bursts of nationalism in the future.

Watch out free world, China’s “harmonious society” is about to make you pay for your democratic values and the “disruptions” they’ve caused.

More on the Beijing “Motherfucking Olympics” (奧你媽的運).

Finally, from the IHT, great news of the KMT’s first big “sell out” of Taiwan:

A group of Chinese property tycoons will visit Taiwan next week in what could bring the first wave of mainland investment to the island since civil war split the two in 1949.

Ah, the first fruits of those traitorous “agreements” made between the KMT and CCP in 2005 are finally ripening. Hu Jintao’s mouth must be watering!

“Taiwanese have invested billions of dollars on the mainland to take advantage of its cheap labor, but Chinese investments are banned in Taiwan for fear it would give Beijing economic and political control of the island — a big concern for the outgoing pro-independence government of President Chen Shui-bian.”

Yah, a big concern for anyone who gives a damn about Taiwan in fact. As we’ve seen, economic control IS political control when the masses are so easily swayed by idiotic TV news, lies about the economy, and all sorts of traitorous pro-China talk. Now they (KMT-CCP) get to own Taiwan in the concrete sense:

“The Chinese business group is scheduled to visit a planned construction site near the international airport complex in Taoyuan County, a commercial-leisure complex in the central city of Taichung, and several resort areas in southern Taiwan.

“We are sure the visit by the Chinese group and subsequent investments will give a big boost to Taiwan’s property market and the economy,” said Hsiao Chia-chi, Taichung’s vice mayor.

At this point it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Taichung’s KMT mayor, Jason Hu, showed up with an army of KTV girls and offered to “service” his ‘compatriots’ (同胞) on the spot, when they arrive in Taichung, Sin City, the capital of the Bamboo United States…mainland sex tourism to Taiwan is going to be such a blast!

IN a fascinating, highly immoral article for the IHT called “The Taiwan Template,” Humphrey Hawksley writes that “China’s integration and growing influence within the global economy have given diplomacy and roads to peace or conflict a new, untested set of benchmarks.” What HH means is that the governments of China and the USA, along with major business interests in the region, have triangulated on the issue of “Taiwan independence” in a new and highly disturbing manner. Hawksley points out that:

For its part, the United States since 2003 has taken the side of China whenever Taiwan makes rumbling noises on the issue of independence. This inconsistency between America’s claim to a global democratic mission and its warning to Taiwanese voters not to upset the Chinese apple cart is another example of the changing paradigm. “America is praising the people of Iraq for going to the polls yet at the same time condemning us for having a vote to express our desire to be part of the international community,” notes Bi-khim Hsiao, international affairs spokesman for Taiwan’s defeated Democratic Progressive Party.

To Taiwan independence supporters the US has both betrayed Taiwan and used it as a pawn in the high-stakes game of meddling in world affairs for the sake of capitalist elites everywhere, but to Hawksley the betrayal apparently means a triumph for “global integration” and “peace.” He goes on to glibly compare the outcome of the struggle for democracy in Taiwan to the situation in Tibet, finally concluding that:

Tibet straddles India and China, the two economic giants of the 21st century, and is perfectly placed to become an integral member of the global supply chain. For that to happen, though, Tibetan activists must stop attacking Chinese businesses. Chinese security forces must give space to Tibetan culture and expression. Both sides could then begin to trust each other and work together to create a Taiwan-style success story instead of a lingering victim with an unjust past.

The westerner’s message here seems to be something like: “make the localists STFU and forget about their right to national self-determination, democracy, independence, the preservation of their culture/heritage, etc.–then get them on the China bandwagon as quickly as possible.” The all mighty “Global Economy” demands it, therefore, it must be true and they should bow down and submit to their masters.

Seriously, I’m not sure what to make of the people who write this sort of triumphalist, global technocratic fluff. It’s as if they welcome a world where the governments of China and the US can colonize the planet for Fortune 500 companies in the name “integration,” “free trade,” and “global marketplace.” Nevermind that China is a rising fascist empire; nevermind that the US has gone from “beacon of democracy” to “beacon of bankers and capitalists” — that’s all good because “peace” means supporting their wretched, unjust “status quo.” If reducing Tibet and Taiwan (not to mention Iraq, the Sudan, Burma, and soon, Iran) to economic vassaldom is the mission of the two “great powers” in preserving the “status quo,” then I really have to wonder if perhaps conflict and war isn’t actually the better alternative. After all, some things are worth fighting for.

Taiwan

Subing (酥餅) wrote the following, quite amazing, “Open Letter to President Elect Ma”on Sunday, Mar. 23, 2008*:

Dear President Elect Ma,

First, I must admit that I’m not one of your supporters. Although you said on CNN, before being elected, that “Taiwan is a sovereign country”, you’ve also said previously that “the future of Taiwan is to be decided by the people of both sides of the Strait.” In the past you also issued press release saying that Taiwanese should not carry [ROC] flags in support of Taiwan. So, I’m full of doubt as to whether or not you will protect Taiwan’s sovereignty. In addition, I also think this sovereignty should not be over-reliant on other countries–especially China’s economic model–or place Taiwan’s economic hopes at the mercy of the PRC’s good will or [future] tourists and [hope] that you’ll protect Taiwan’s long-term interests. Finally, although in the past you’ve apologized for the 2-28 Massacre, your party still blocked the passage of “compensation” (賠償) legislation for victims of the incident, changing it to “support” (補償) for them in the Legislature. This makes me highly suspicious of your shifting understanding of right and wrong, and your resolve to implement legislation.

Yet the outcome of the [3/22] election is clear, the majority of the Taiwanese people believe you. Although I don’t understand this [fact], I respect it. Although I am hurt, I do not hate. I toss and turn sleepless in bed, but I don’t think about going out in the streets to protest or vent my emotions. Since, for the 23 million people living in Taiwan our common interest is in mutual differences, the positive and the negative of the election result is that we are all hurt together.

As a citizen, over the next four years not only will I not retreat but, as long as it’s in Taiwan’s interest, I will help. Like Lee Teng-hui when he was helping the Taiwanese democracy struggle, although many people did not identify with the KMT, they would go and volunteer to help as long as it was to Taiwan’s benefit without thinking of personal gains or setbacks.

The future of Taiwan over the next four years is entirely in yours and the KMT’s hands. Absolute power means complete responsibility, and in the next four years we have no system of weights and measures–so we can only, like the Taiwanese people who did believe you, hope that you’re good to Taiwan and all the people who live in this land and preserve its autonomy. Do not just consider immediate, short-term economic advantages and sacrifice long-term interests or carry out shifty, unjust policies. Practice social equality, and I really believe you can prove my doubts about you were wrong.

As for Taiwan, my only motherland and permanent home, and the land of my children and gradnchildren, no matter what I will do everything I can to protect you.

God Bless Taiwan.

====

* Translation via your friendly neighborhood N0574bot. I’ve been saying it for a long time now, but if you read Chinese you really should spend a bit of time reading Subing’s blog–it’s hands down the best political blog in Taiwan…At least read some of the 154 comments attached to the original letter if you want to know what real Taiwanese people think about the election outcome.