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Wuhan Virus Fears Trigger Anti-Chinese Sentiment |
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The Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread, raising public concern worldwide. Various countries have suspended traffic with China, and even Taiwan has been affected.
(Photo from: China Times) |
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With Outbreak of Wuhan Coronavirus, Global Anti-Chinese Sentiment Grows
China Times, January 31, 2020
Fear spreads and a global xenophobia grows as the outbreak of coronavirus continuing in China’s Wuhan. According to
The New York Times, global fear for the coronavirus outbreak has increased anti-Chinese sentiment. Such a sentiment is not only toward Chinese people but also has affected other Asian ethnic groups.
At a time when China rise as an economic and military power makes deep worry for its neighboring Asian countries and Western competitors, the epidemic outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 has multiplied their hidden dislike to the Chinese people. Such anti-Chinese sentiment is sometimes irrational.
“Fears of the outbreak have fueled xenophobia as a wave of panic spreads… by broader political and economic tensions and anxieties related to China, which are interacting with more recent fears of contagion,” said Kristi Govella, an assistant professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
In Japan, the hashtag #ChineseDon’tComeToJapan has become an Internet sensation on Twitter. In Singapore, tens of thousands of residents launched a petition asking the government to ban Chinese nationals from entering the country. In Hong Kong and South Korea, many shops and stores posted notices saying that mainland Chinese customers are not welcome.
Also, in Japan, a sushi restaurant at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Shijo Fish Market, where 90 percent guests are Chinese, a 70-years old waitress Yaeko Suenaga said that she will not refuse to serve Chinese guests, yet she can understand why some shops are reluctant to receive Chinese customers. “I don’t think it is discrimination. It is a real fear of being infected by a fatal virus,” said Suenaga.
Some Japanese have long disliked the behavior of Chinese tourists. Now some netizen at Twitter have labeled the Chinese travelers “dirty” and even called them “bio-terrorists.”
In Australia, The
Herald Sun, a Murdoch-owned newspaper, published the words "China Virus Panda-monium" over a picture with a red mask. The resident Chinese community in Australia signed a petition calling the headline "unacceptable race discrimination."
Le Courrier Picard, a regional newspaper in northern France, caused outrage with its "Yellow Alert" headline this month. The newspaper later apologized.
Racial incidents have also affected other Asian ethnic groups. In France, a Vietnamese female told the newspaper
Le Monde that she had been humiliated by a driver who shouted "Keep your virus, dirty Chinese!" and "You are not welcome in France" as he sped away through a puddle, splashing her.
Fake news is getting more and more. A much-viewed YouTube video in South Korea reported that a biochemical weapon facility in China leaked the coronavirus. It is an unproven theory that has circulated in other corners of the globe.
In Australia, fake information circulating on Instagram warned that shops in Sydney including items like fortune cookies, rice and "Chinese Red Bull" were contaminated.
The Chinese as well as other Asian ethnics suffered similar xenophobic reactions during the SARS epidemic of 2003. Nowadays, far more Chinese are traveling abroad. “China's blockade of tens of millions of people, intending to curb the spread of the virus, may cause other governments to overreact,” said Koichi Nakano, a political scientist at Sophia University in Tokyo.
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20200131004236-260408?chdtv
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DPP Faces Uncontrollable Anti-Chinese Sentiment
By Wang Chin
China Times, February 2, 2020
Due to the continual spread of coronavirus, reinforcement of epidemic prevention in both mainland China and Taiwan is unquestionable. However, the essence of epidemic prevention should be professionally-based and not politically manipulated. While the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen has raised the situation to a national-security level which requires all-round planning, the government has been handling the situation poorly.
From the very beginning, the Executive Yuan announced the ban of exporting masks for a month. This ban seems to be reasonable for it prioritizes the practical needs and well-being of Taiwan citizens. Nonetheless, this policy implies the “selfishness” of the Tsai administration while mainland China’s resources against coronavirus are running short.
Many believe that Taiwan’s masks are mostly imported from the Chinese mainland, thus making the mask exportation to China simply a fake issue. From a business perspective, mask exportation is not only a fake issue but a political problem. The reason lies in the fact that the provision of masks and humanitarian support are separate matters that shouldn’t be conflicting. Even if one society is short in resources, it does not mean that it could not provide help within its ability, especially when the survival of the other society affects one’s future development and existence.
Evidently, Premier Su Tseng-chang chose to adopt a “mind one’s own business” approach based on the anti-Chinese sentiment in Taiwan, where he portrays himself as a protective figure for Taiwan. Instead of adopting a broad-minded approach, he has narrowed the framework that Taiwan should have, and neglected the current political needs of the Tsai administration.
Ever since President Tsai was elected, she has been ambiguous about meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Even though the possibility of their meeting is close to zero, the formality of creating an atmosphere of friendly interactions is obviously necessary. Regardless, while mainland China is facing hard times combating the coronavirus, Tsai’s government chooses to avoid contact and reinforces control and prevention from China by placing restrictions on mainland Chinese citizens. The Tsai administration even implemented extravagant restrictions to Chinese students, which received a backlash from those students and discontentment from some Taiwanese people. Under such circumstances, it is hard for people to believe President Tsai’s sincerity when it comes to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The fact is, China isn’t expecting Taiwan to give a lot of practical support since this virus came menacingly, needing tremendous resources that could not be fulfilled by foreign support. The mainland would have to rely on its own strength to get through this difficult time.
Nevertheless, the Tsai administration has shown obvious hostility and negative feelings towards Chinese mainlanders. To a certain extent, the image of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in mainland China has hit rock bottom. Any potential rapprochement between China and the DPP would raise questions from the Chinese society. Under such circumstances, on what ground would President Tsai ask to converse with China?
A politician’s mindset is one of the crucial determinants to his/her greatness. Regrettably, the Tsai administration has revealed narrow-mindedness through its policies towards responding to the coronavirus. Instead of seizing this opportunity to reconcile Taiwanese and mainland Chinese people by providing help, the administration’s focus has only been public health. What’s worth noticing is that Vice President-elect William Lai received a good amount of backlash from the people after he openly supported the idea of helping mainland China. Hence, the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment in the Taiwanese society is equally constraining the DPP. The DPP has relied on anti-Chinese sentiment to prosper, yet now it has become a monster that leaves the DPP no choice of returning back.
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20200201002657-262104?chdtv
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Concerned about contracting the virus, people in Taiwan have crowded to purchase surgical face masks, creating a serious shortage. The government has announced measures to collect and distribute face masks.
(Photo from: China Times) |
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Time to Rebuild Trust Between People Across the Strait
By Alexander Huang
China Times, January 28, 2020
In the recent presidential election, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) used the slogans of “resist China” and “defend Taiwan” successfully to overshadowed other campaign issues such as the slow vendor business, air pollution, deteriorating civil liberties, and uneasy livelihood. The DPP was able to win an unprecedented landslide victory to secure another four years in power. However, the public sentiments created by manipulating fear and hatred towards China will not just come to a halt in the aftermath of the election. The DPP must deal with the situation most carefully.
At the beginning of this year, the breakout of the Wuhan coronavirus led to the quarantine of Wuhan and many cities in Hubei Province, and within three weeks, the virus has spread all over the world. This virus was confirmed by World Health Organization (WHO) as an international communicable endemic disease and caused worldwide panic. As this pandemic occurred at the time when the sequel of the over-mobilized “resist China” and “defend Taiwan” has yet to subside, public opinion continues to be affected by political factors and unreasonable emotions.
Natural disasters are unpredictable, and disease has no borders. Taiwan and the mainland China share common blood ties, geographical proximity, close interactions among the people. Because the two sides pivotally affect each other, neither should sit idly. Aside from strict regulation, Taiwan can actively provide medical staff and material relief to assist mainland China in the fight against the epidemic. Even if the initiative is not motivated by national affection, it is also consistent with Taiwan’s self-interest.
In the last four years, political and military relations across the Taiwan Strait have become more hostile and tense. The Wuhan coronavirus is not only a major challenge for endemic disease control and public health but also impacts economic growth and governance.
From the perspective of politicians, the unexpected Wuhan coronavirus provides a rare opportunity for the governments on both sides to resume official contact. After securing another four years in power, the DPP can learn to benefit from the polices of stability and peace in cross-strait relations to adjust its unconditional reliance on the United States. Without irritating the Trump administration, Taiwan should consider a policy to promote peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations according to Taiwan’s own interests.
Based upon the idea that public health need not concern the political meaning of “one China,” China should propose to the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate in the May 17 World Health Assembly in Geneva as an observer so that Taiwan may share its experience in confronting the epidemic. Not only can mainland China display a image of a great country but also help offset fears and hatred towards China within Taiwanese society.
Cross-strait peace is a common aspiration of people on both sides and is also crucial to sustain development and modernization for both Taiwan and mainland China amid the international power competition. Furthermore, it is a rational choice for both Taiwan and the mainland, both of which have experienced many tribulations in the past century, to assist one another without mutual infliction.
Mainland China can continue its pursuit of “peaceful reunification,” while Taiwan can strive for “peaceful co-existence,” both not neglecting that “peaceful development” is genuinely aspired by people on both sides. While political figures are ambitious for power and certainly are influenced by their calling, historical legacies, and self-interest, they must never make the Taiwan Strait a battlefield. They should remember in history that no emperor was immortal and no dynasty has ever escaped its end. Only the people endure after hundreds and thousands of years.
The bedrock of future cross-strait relations is not the canny calculations of politicians but the good will within the hearts of the people. As the year of the rat begins, let us pray for the prompt control of Wuhan coronavirus and wish compatriots on both sides of strait good health, new aspirations, and better lives.
(The author is associate professor in the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Tamkang University.)
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20200128002136-262104
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After Election, KMT Must Tackle New Realities
By Alfred E. Tsai
After crushing defeat in the presidential and legislative elections in January, a desperate and heated debate has unfolded within the Kuomintang (KMT) to re-examine its China policy and rejuvenate its leadership. Prominent calls have included abandoning the “1992 Consensus” (whereby both Taiwan and China acknowledge the principle of “one China” but maintain respective interpretations of what that means) and dropping “China” from the party name altogether, in order to reclaim popular support. Conservatives within the KMT, however, argue that doing so would run contrary to the party’s core values and the Republic of China Constitution.
At present, the age-old KMT is facing a crisis of continued survival for losing touch with the younger generation in Taiwan. For many years, the party has failed to inject new blood and been ineffective communicating with young voters. On the other hand, the KMT has persistently been tagged by its opponents and international media as “pro-China” for taking more cordial positions on cross-strait relations. Around election time, political events related to China have almost certainly been exploited to the party’s disadvantage.
Once trailing in the opinion polls but recently re-elected by a landslide, President Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were able to reverse political fortunes in large part thanks to voters’ growing fear of China. Protests in Hong Kong conveyed a renewed urgency to Taiwanese voters of preserving Taiwan’s democracy and way of life in face of the powerful neighbor across the strait.
Besides the economy, at the heart of the 2020 election was arguably the key issue of national identity. Beijing’s actions as well as political changes within Taiwan have changed how people identify themselves. Many more people now see themselves as Taiwanese instead of Chinese or both. This is particularly true among the younger generation, including first-time voters this year, who are sympathetic to a separate identity and Taiwan as an independent country.
To be fair, the KMT’s cross-strait policies based upon the 1992 Consensus enabled Taiwan to maintain peaceful and stable relations with the Chinese mainland during the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou from 2008 to 2016. Under President Ma, Taiwan preserved its democracy while building stronger economic ties with the mainland, culminating in direct flights, increased tourism, and the 2015 leaders’ summit with Xi Jinping in Singapore.
Strategically, it is becoming ever more difficult for the KMT to sustain the 1992 Consensus because of changes in Taiwanese identity and stakeholders involved having increasingly divergent interpretations as to what it means. Since 2016, China has only become more assertive and dominant, hardening its insistence that Taiwan accept the “one China” principle and eventual unification under a “One Country, Two Systems” formula (which has eroded freedoms and led to large-scale protests in Hong Kong), establishing diplomatic relations with eight countries that previously recognized Taiwan, and stepped up military aircraft patrols around Taiwan. The recent outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus demonstrates how Beijing’s continued isolation of Taiwan in the international community creates a significant loophole to global health and harms the interests of the Taiwanese people.
In light of new realities, the KMT must be able to articulate its positions effectively so as to convince Taiwanese voters, especially the younger generation, and like-minded countries like the United States. The KMT must also reposition its cross-strait policy in light of new global politics and mainstream opinion within Taiwan. The party should revise its cross-strait policy discourse suited to a new era. Doing so will make the KMT a more compelling alternative to the incumbent DPP and improve the KMT’s overall prospects in Taiwan’s electoral politics.
First, the KMT should make a more compelling case for national identity by expounding why Chinese culture is an indispensable asset to Taiwan and how Taiwanese identity and Chinese nationalism can be mutually inclusive and co-exist. Central to this argument is that “China” and “Chinese” need not mean or be represented by the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, over 95 percent of Taiwan’s population is of Han Chinese ethnicity whose ancestors descended from the mainland. While there are certainly indigenous, Japanese, and Western influences, Taiwan remains a predominantly ethnic Chinese society. Many foreigners are attracted to Taiwan because of the convergence of traditional Chinese culture and Taiwan’s modern and creative characteristics.
In addition, the KMT should strengthen the narrative on its contributions to Taiwan’s development. It was the Republic of China that successfully ended five decades of Japanese colonization and defended Taiwan against Communist invasion. After the Nationalist withdrawal from mainland China to Taiwan in 1949, the KMT took successive steps to modernize Taiwan based upon Sun Yat-sen’s vision of constitutional democracy. Although some local Taiwanese did suffer repression under authoritarian rule, Taiwan’s economic development under the KMT led to substantial prosperity widely shared among the population. The equitable distribution of wealth became the basis of a modern public education system, which supported the development of the information technology industry. Finally, the lifting of martial law, freeing of the press, and holding of elections for the legislative and executive branches completed Taiwan’s transition to representative democracy.
Finally, the KMT should rectify its current lack of clarity and certainty on cross-strait relations. This invariably demands more assertiveness on the part of the KMT on Taiwan’s sovereignty but also identifying common ground with China so as to shelve political controversies and pursue meaningful exchanges. The KMT should explicate to voters the benefits of a pragmatic, less confrontational approach to cross-strait relations and be honest about the party’s ideal of eventual Chinese unification based upon a democratic political system.
As U.S. Vice President Mike Pence lauded, “Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people.” The KMT should tackle the new realities and seize the opportunity to reform. Taiwan needs the KMT to remain a viable party prepared to defend Taiwan as a beacon of Chinese culture and democracy, strengthen the economy, and further cross-strait and international relations.
(The author is J.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin Law School and editor of the
Taiwan Weekly e-mail newsletter.)
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January 26: The Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread. Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center announced that mainland Chinese students, with the exception of degree students, will be barred from entering Taiwan. Travel by mainland Chinese degree students to Taiwan will be suspended for two weeks until February 9. They will be subject to 14-day monitoring upon entering Taiwan.
January 30: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada both expressed support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Health Assembly (WHA) to control the Wuhan epidemic. The European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union also stated that Taiwan should be included in face of the current outbreak.
January 30: The Wuhan coronavirus hit global financial markets. The Taiwan Stock Exchange plunged 697 points, closing at 11,421. Nearly NT$2.1 trillion (about US$69.7 billion) in market capitalization evaporated, and 364 listed stocks ended limit-down. The daily market drop of 5.75% is the largest in Taiwan’s history, surpassing the daily falls during the SARS epidemic and the 2008 financial crisis.
January 31: As the Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread, there has been an upsurge in consumer demand for surgical face masks. Taiwan has imposed collection of 4 million pieces surgical face masks produced each day, 1.4 million pieces of which are supplied to medical and disease prevention uses, 600,000 pieces provided to pharmacies and medical supplies stores, and 2 million pieces rationed to the four major convenience store chains. Each individual is limited to buying three pieces, at NT$6 (about US$0.2) apiece. Long lines have consumed the available inventory of face masks each day.
January 31: After halting its services at the end of last year, being grounded for 50 days, and owing 25 days of unpaid employee wages, Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT), a Taiwanese airline, had its civil aviation permit revoked by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication and was charged a penalty of NT$3 million (about US$99,000). FAT is the first case in Taiwan that an airline had its permit revoked for suspending its services unexpectedly.
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Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations that provides coverage and perspectives into the latest developments in Taiwan.
The conclusions and recommendations of any
Taiwan Weekly article are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the institutions that publish the newsletter.
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