[Taiwan] Too simplistic to equate being pro-China to economic prosperity

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

Geraldine Phneah


There are many Singaporeans who believe that the Taiwan election results will cause the country to be badly affected because the new president is not as pro-China.


Some comments are along the lines of how "Taiwan should be 'pragmatic' and have more pro China policies like Singapore" and how "Taiwan is so small like Singapore and can't survive alone!" -.-"


It is simplistic to equate being pro-China to economic prosperity for everyone. Statistics have shown otherwise.


Taiwan’s economy grew by a meagre 1% last year despite 馬英九’s guarantees that his pro-China policies would deliver real benefits to the 23 million citizens of Taiwan. Ma also promised 6, 3, 3: 6% growth, 3% unemployment and $30,000 per capita income but this never materialised. Instead, real income has declined and social inequality has worsened in the past decade.


In fact, during this election, both major parties 國民黨 and 民主進步黨 agreed that the Taiwanese economy has become too dependent on China, and needs to diversify.


Perhaps the rich and businesses may benefit but it is naive to think that these will all translate into benefits for the ordinary citizens as well. Read: http://qz.com/429487/a-new-imf-study...own-economics/


On the side note, I wish to express how impressed I am by the young people in Taiwan who have always been so active in participating in public affairs and monitoring the government. I wish more young people I Singapore could be like that too instead of only being concerned with themselves; pop culture; cafe hopping etc.


Rising youth political engagement is what sets Taiwan apart from other democracies in Asia and I hope we can follow in their footsteps
smile emoticon


加油台灣！


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