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Home › Forums › Study Tours › 2015 NCTA Study Tour to China and Taiwan › reading -- taiwan matters, preface-ch. 3
Anonymous.
AnonymousTaiwan Matters was a very valuable resource for me as we spent our time in Taiwan. It was very informational and helped me piece together the complex history of the country. As we got to know the Taiwanese, their culture, identity and ambition, I came to see Taipei 101 as the embodiment of their goals and vision for the future of their country. The towering structure insists its an engineering force to be reckoned with that puts the rest of the world on notice, including China.
AnonymousI just finished watching this video on the building of Taipei 101. It is about 50 minutes, but it very informative. Some of the information includes:
Since we were there about two weeks ago and this building stands out, I found this information fascinating. Attached is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B031ebdzRvc
(This is not my answer to the question posted. I just thought this link was worth sharing.)
edited by malvarenga on 7/20/2015
AnonymousAfter visiting Taipei 101, I can attest the sheer ingenuity of this huge building. Something so big is at odds with this Typhoon-prone island on the "Ring of Fire." I think that it is fitting that the first chapter of the book and the image on the book are about this building. I find a lot of similarities to between the US and Taiwan in that it is an island of immigrants controlled by waves of different countries throughout the last 400 years. I also found a lot of similarities to that of the Philippine Islands. Rigger explains, " They received a Japanese education....and they were encouraged to dress, eat, and live as Japanese-even adopt Japanese surnames" (p. 21)." The Spanish treated the natives of the Philippines the same way-many Filipinos to this day have Spanish surnames (i.e. Lopez, Cruz, Mendoza). http://www.csuchico.edu/ncpaso/filipino.htm http://tagaloglang.com/The-Philippines/People/most-common-filipino-surnames.html
What I found most captivating is Taiwan is an island of ingenuity. Although consistently overrun by others (even KMT), the Taiwanese adapted to colonization time after time (p. 45) and took advantage of the fact that it was not worn-torn like its neighbors in Asia to capitalized on manufacturing (p. 44). I definitely think that if one was teaching a Geography or Modern World History class, a project could be designed where you could study the strengths of different nations in Asia. Ch. 2 and 3 would be an excellent secondary sources for students researching Taiwan.
edited by jilliansheehan on 7/22/2015
AnonymousPreface
As an U.S. Air Force dependent I was always aware of which Asian nations were our allies. My father was a pilot who flew missions in China, Korea, and Vietnam in times of war. In fact he believed so strongly that the leadership of China should be in the hands Chiang Kai-shek that he offered to fight for him at the conclusion of WWII ( his offer was politely declined with a letter stating that this was a matter that the Chinese people must resolve). While stationed in Okinawa and the Philippines he flew frequently to Taiwan. I grew up thinking it was only a matter of time before General Chiang would return to China. My personal experience with Taiwan came in the form of the delicious watermelon and beautiful Chinese furniture my father brought home after flights to Taipei and Tainan. I also remember the horrible feeling of betrayal when the United States recognized the PRC as the government of China. My feelings of loyalty have not changed but my belief that the ROC will one day govern all of China has. This realization came with sadness as I walked in the gardens after visiting the Presidential Palace.
Chapter 1
Taipei 101 is the perfect picture to put on Why Taiwan Matters because it is the symbol of modern Taiwan. Even though the United States has had a long historical relationship with Taiwan, it is the relationship now that concerns both nations. Taipei 101 projects the confidence Taiwanese have in their nation and the role they play in the world, and proudly stands tall above the dynamic 21st century city of Taipei.
It is important to teach about Taiwan because of the close relationship between our two nations and their leaders that shaped U.S. foreign policy in the region, and continues to shape it. Taiwan has also taken on an important leadership role in the South China Sea negotiating treaties between its neighbors.
Chapter 2
Taiwan’s location has shaped the development of this island nation. It is located too close to the PRC, near North and South Korea, and a little below Japan. It was used by the Dutch and Spanish as part of their trade empires. It was incorporated as part of China then ceded to Japan as spoils of war. After WWII Taiwan became the refuge of the Chinese Nationalists fleeing defeat in a bloody civil war on the mainland. A new nation was forged under martial law and now China wants Taiwan back. It is a tightrope of “Status Quo” that Taiwan is forced to walk to keep its freedom
The Taiwanese are a mélange of indigenous peoples, native Taiwanese, and mainlanders. This spirited mix has given birth to a unique and vibrant society.
Language once divided and dominated Taiwan. Hokkien, Hakka, Austronesian, and Japanese speakers are now united by a common language, Mandarin.
edited by karenrieger on 7/23/2015
edited by karenrieger on 7/23/2015
The Japanese wanted to turn Taiwan into a showcase for the world. It would demonstrate that Japan was a modern nation. Taiwan would showcase Japan’s political, economic, and administrative acumen. The impact on Taiwan was very beneficial. New efficient industries were established and massive infrastructure building took place. Roads, power plants, an electric power grid, dams and irrigation projects modernized Taiwan. By the end of Japanese rule 58% of adults could read and write Japanese and ¾ of Taiwan’s children were enrolled in school. This was a huge leap forward from the days of neglectful Qing Dynasty administration.
The KMT ruled Taiwan with Marshall Law from 1949-1980’s with the paramount mission of retaking control of China. The democracy movement prevailed and Taiwan developed a strong positive self concept, celebrating all things Taiwanese. The KMT was forced to adapt to maintain power. As President Ma so eloquently explained in his speech the KMT position is Status Quo. Maintain relations with China as they are. Build security for Taiwan by never declaring Taiwan an independent state, establishing and promoting economic ties and cultural exchanges with the mainland, cementing friendships worldwide, and stepping into a regional leadership role.
edited by karenrieger on 7/23/2015
Chapter 3
Taiwan is small nation with a fast, flexible economic response time. Utilizing government, corporate, and grassroots, Hui financing Taiwan has adapted quickly to global needs. Shelley Rigger gives some examples of how Taiwan cornered the world market. First in the fifties, Taiwan paid consultants to identify growth industries, so Taiwan focused on plastics, synthetic fibers, and electronics. Next Taiwan developed strings of glass Christmas lights and kept the world supplied. In the 1970’s Taiwan was the China of manufactured goods. Currently the world has turned to mainland China for cheap manufacturing. Taiwan, always ready to leap to the next opportunity, saw this trend coming and made the jump to China first. Taiwan’s manufacturers are experiencing a second wave of success and acting as agents for companies entering China.
Land reform in Taiwan provided the foundation for Taiwan’s economic success. Taiwan historically was an exporter of agricultural products. The government lowered rents, sold land to farmers (with favorable purchase terms), confiscated excess land from landlords for resale to farmers. These measures instantly made farming more profitable and boosted the economy. The government then established farming associations, extension services, and marketing avenues to keep the good going.
edited by karenrieger on 7/23/2015
AnonymousZheng Chenggong led a an anti Qin movement n Taiwan, which has made him a modern day hero. Taiwan has a more relaxed view towards Japanese rule than in mainland because they viewed the Qing dynasty as corrupt, while the Japanese were efficient. The roots of Taiwan's anti-Qing, have some origin with Zheng's revolt. This is also related to the notion that Taiwan is a rebellious island. During the early days of Qing rule, Taiwan was seen as a frontier with constant skirmishes. Mainland China continues to see Taiwan as a island in rebellion.
AnonymousTaiwan has not enjoyed as much access to credit as other nations. The limited amount of credit has been typically reserved for large companies (P.52). Due to this practice, smaller companies have had to pool their resources together with other friends, families and companies to accomplish their goals. These mutual aid societies are called hui (P.52). While Riggers states that they are commonly formed in Taiwan to gather capital, I doubt they would be as successful in the US.
In the US, capital is typically obtained from banks or wealthy investors. Trying to establish an informal mutual aid group would be challenging for Americans. Consider some of the distrust that belies different aspects of our society; the stigma surrounding pyramid schemes provides a provocative example. Could hui be created in our school settings? Riggers states that entering into a hui with coworkers is fine because “you know that coworker will see you at work every day until hat hui has played out. If the coworker disappears, that coworker knows you will find him or her (P.52).” Think about your coworkers and how much trust you put in them. At one school site I have taught, I was a part of a close-knit culture of trust and respect. The entire staff socialized, shared lesson plans and the ups and downs of teaching and our personal lives. At another school site, I found a superficial culture where about half the staff stays focused on meeting their own individual goals and needs. There is some camaraderie and collaboration, but extremely different than the other school. In one school, there was a level of trust needed to begin a collaborative venture, while the other did not have this.
Perhaps some schools could create such systems to raise capital, while others cannot. The establishment and wide use of hui in Taiwan demonstrates the ingenuity of non-affluent groups of people to work around a biased economic system to accomplish their goals. Furthermore, it illustrates a level of trust and honor that should be admired. Just a great example of why Taiwan matters.
AnonymousI knew very little about Taiwan before going on this trip. I knew that there was tension between Taiwan and Mainland China stemming from the Civil War when the communists took over the north and pushed the Nationalists to Taiwan. But I wasn't clear on why the tension still existed. I also remember seeing "Made in Taiwan" on the bottom of toys and tchotchkes when I was little, and then seeing "Made in China." Going to Taiwan and reading Rigger's book really helped me understand the connection the Chinese in Taiwan had to mainland China and why they continue to have relations with the mainland. I also loved reading how the Taiwanese were under martial law for so long with the KMT but it was industry that brought them to prosperity, and eventually moved their industry to mainland China to use their cheaper labour (hence the "Made in China"). I think the book did a nice job of explaining why older generations in Taiwan still call themselves Chinese but the millennials are more likely to refer to themselves as Taiwanese.
One of the best parts of Taiwan was visiting Taipei 101. It was amazing to take that quick elevator ride up and have 360 views of all of Taipei. It was the dapper ball, the engineering feat of what keeps that building stabilized, that is still amazing me. I think the ingenuity of the dapper and the modern/creative architecture of the building (the sleek design but still reminiscent of traditional Chinese food boxes) represents the Taiwanese drive to move forward with industrial thought.
AnonymousPrior to our trip, I also knew very little about Taiwan and its history. During our trip and after, I’ve become interested in finding ways to incorporate its history or aspects of its history in my classroom. Shelley Rigger’s “Why Taiwan Matters” was a great introduction to Taiwan. Initially, I didn’t give the cover picture of Taipei 101 a second thought, but that changed as I read the book and we had the opportunity to visit it. The youtube link given on a previous post offers many details about how it was built. Initially Taipei 101 was suppose to be a 66 floor building, but as we now know those plans changed. Whether the design is meant as a symbol of power, signs of things to come, or solitude, it is definitely a talking point. The details that were incorporated into the planning and daily activities can make anybody add it to their must visit list. “Patterned on the tiered design of traditional pagodas, the 101-story tower consists of eight cubical sections…The topmost floors and spire take the shape of a stupa, a buddhist monument, and the building is decorated with traditional motifs symbolizing fulfillment and health…[it] blends recognizable Chinese elements with cutting-edge global aesthetic and technical standards…The building embodies “Oriental philosophy and Western technology”…it stands completely alone. (p. 1)
Ch. 3-One of the reasons that Taiwan's economy has prospered is that while it is a small country, it has been driven by trade/exports with United States, Japan and Europe. Exporting has been a big part of their rise. They were able to use their resources to their advantage. “The roots of Taiwan’s global outlook run deep. The island’s earliest export was a classic specialty product: deer antlers.” (p. 41) Rigger mentions several reasons why Taiwan has prospered. “The land reform brought both economic and political benefits…Economically, it boosted agricultural investments and productivity between 1951 and 1961…International forces also helped boost Taiwan’s industrialization. (p.47) “Taiwan’s generous investment incentives and low labor cost attracted “sunset” industries from the United States and Japan, where rising labor costs and environmental restrictions were driving out many manufacturing firms.” (p. 50)
edited by malvarenga on 8/1/2015
AnonymousPrior to traveling to Taiwan, I knew very little about Taiwan but feel very excited about integrating aspects of our trip into our lessons. The Teipei 101 building with Mayra was educational, the views breathtaking, and that it is the largest and tallest LEED GREEN building. Students could learn about the environmental factors in creating the building, technology, and STEM jobs. In the Preface, discussion of the status quo could be linked with the President's speech that I attended back at UCLA in May. It would be something I'd pair together for speech purposes in ELA.The Japanese language use in China and Taiwan would be something to explore in the 7th grade unit. Scholar officials/government workers are discussed and again modest income but high notability are something to include with the text and what we heard during our trip from first hand discussions with our tour guides. I have notes from their viewpoints about government jobs and their viewpoints about their positions as tourguides, examinations, and how to achieve that goal with $ or other means. The pictures I have of the Teipei 101 building and the GREEN LEED area will aid in the teaching as well as technical document reading if this becomes a unit.
clay dubeAs with the Meyer book, each of you is to discuss some aspect of each section of the Rigger book Why Taiwan Matters. I offer the questions below to stimulate thought and discussion, but you may choose to discuss whatever you found most interesting and compelling.
Preface
Two questions drive the book and Rigger offers quick answers here to both of them. Based on what you knew before reading anything in this book, what did you know about Taiwan that you found interesting and why does Taiwan loom large in US-China relations. Now that you’ve read at least part of the book, have your answers changed? In what ways?
Ch. 1
Why put Taipei 101 on the cover and at the start of the book? What does it represent?
If Taiwan is so small – why pay attention to it, especially given the need to teach about its gigantic neighbor?
Ch. 2
Taiwan is closer to the mainland than San Diego is to Los Angeles. How has that affected the island’s development and its present situation?
This chapter explains much of what has made Taiwan’s experience distinct from its neighbors. Who are “the Taiwanese?”
How have languages and language policies bring people together or divide them in Taiwan?
Taiwan became a Japanese colony before Manchuria came under Japanese domination. What did the Japanese seek to do in Taiwan? What was their impact?
The KMT cominated Taiwan from Retrocession Day in 1945 until Chen Shui-bian was elected president in 2000. In 2008, the KMT recaptured the presidency by changing. How had Taiwan changed and how did Ma Ying-jeou, the KMT standard-bearer, adapt?
Is there an American “Taike”? That is, have Americans embraced symbols that signal something we consider vital, even if we might also have been a bit embarrassed about such a character?
Ch. 3
Rigger argues that Taiwan has prospered because the Taiwanese have been quick to respond to regional or global challenges and opportunities. What expamples of this does she provide? What seems to have been the central Taiwanese asset since 1949?
Why did land reform matter? And mutual aid societies? In what ways did American policy help or hinder Taiwan’s economic advance?
edited by Clay Dube on 6/29/2015
AnonymousRigger makes a distinct and calculated choice to start the first chapter with Taipei 101. The World’s (now 4th) Tallest Building towers over Hsinyi Road in the Taiwanese sky. How can we use this powerful symbol of Taiwanese culture to translate into why Taiwan matters?
According to Rigger, “the qualities that made Taipei 101 possible- ambition, perseverance, and a strong tolerance for risk- are the same qualities that allow Taiwan to survive and prosper as a major global player.” As a recent traveler to this far away land, that pending on who you ask might be regarded as the Republic of China, Taiwan, China, or Free Taiwan, I couldn’t agree with Rigger more. The Taiwanese are a people of resilience, focused goals, and strive for more from their governments and themselves. Taipei 101 shows their (Taiwan’s) importance on a global scale and DEMANDS that the world pay attention.
I attached a photo from the #taradoestaiwan series (feel free to check out the hashtag on Instagram). The caption reads, “Marveling at Taipei 101” for the obvious reason that marveling is the only thing you can do when you look at Taipei 101 and the phenomenon that is Taiwan.