I was very interested to read your article on the recent Gallup poll ("Poll shows strong support for Taiwan, Nov. 25, page 1). As a former resident of Taiwan I very much agree with those respondents who held positive views on Taiwan's "advanced technology, its strong economy, delicious food and natural attractions."
However, as much as I hate to pour cold water on the triumphalism of those who see this as a victory for Taiwan's global image as an independent state, I have doubts as to whether the poll's results are all they're cracked up to be.
Although most Japanese people are familiar with Taiwan and the cross-strait dispute, people living in the other countries selected for this poll (the US, UK, Germany and France) are for the most part almost totally ignorant of Taiwan.
In fact most Westerners don't know what language is spoken in Taiwan, have never eaten Taiwanese food, cannot name one Taiwanese person and would not be able to find Taiwan on a world map if asked. The one thing generally known is that until about 15 years ago "Made In Taiwan" was synonymous for anything that was cheap and easily broken but now includes many high-tech products.
This at least accounts for the comments on "advanced technology" and "strong economy," but what about those respondents who spoke admiringly of Taiwan's delicious food and natural attractions?
Unfortunately the answer is obvious: They probably thought they were being asked about Thailand.
Gilman Grundy
West Sussex, UK
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