Foreigners deserve fair play
It has become clear that Taiwan remains an insulated, xenophobic country, in spite of all the bluster about globalization, internationalization, welcoming other cultures, etc. The sad truth is that foreigners are still perceived as second-class citizens at best and generally as lacking any worth or importance.
This attitude may be a legacy of colonial days when foreigners such as the Dutch and later the Japanese were regarded as intruders.
Also, many foreigners are allowed into Taiwan to do the jobs the Taiwanese won’t do themselves — the dirty, dangerous and underpaid work. These workers are exploited by the agencies and bosses who take their passports and make them work overtime; with little free time and meager wages.
It is not surprising that the Taiwanese look down on these desperate and destitute workers who find little respect and even less protection from the government and courts in Taiwan until they riot or run away. Then the authorities finally take notice and quickly deport them.
In spite of all the stories of mistreated workers, we hear nothing of attempts to improve their condition. Whether this is because of bribes or simply indifference remains to be ascertained.
The incident in which a foreigner was attacked by three people for suggesting that children on a scooter should be wearing helmets is a perfect example of this anti-foreigner mentality (Letters, Dec. 21, page 8). The victim, who was walking with his wife and children at the time, reported the assault to the police, who showed little interest.
In the silent movie comedies of long ago, the Keystone cops were bungling, incompetent fools with serious expressions. Could the term be applied to the Taipei police who could not, or could not bother, to solve this crime in spite of witnesses, evidence and cameras? After all, it only involved a foreigner struck on the head with a brick. Strange that there is no further word on this crime — or maybe not!
Richard De Canio complained that he has been waiting 13 years for his case of wrongful dismissal by a university to be resolved (Letters, Feb. 12, page 8). Does this signify indifference or incompetence on the part of the judiciary?
De Canio pointed to the double standard of the Taiwanese taxi driver who was assaulted by a foreigner, which received immediate attention and results.
Several years ago, my son was denied permission to leave the country as the immigration officer did not know that a Canadian passport meant my son was Canadian. When I complained to the Immigration Department that I had lost a great deal of money and my wife and son had lost their vacation, I was told: “We will try to train our staff better.”
A Taiwanese reply to a complaining foreigner.
Foreigners contribute a great deal to Taiwan. That may change if Taiwan does not take us more seriously. It is also tarnishing Taiwan’s image abroad.
Chaim Melamed
Pingtung County
Concerns that the US might abandon Taiwan are often overstated. While US President Donald Trump’s handling of Ukraine raised unease in Taiwan, it is crucial to recognize that Taiwan is not Ukraine. Under Trump, the US views Ukraine largely as a European problem, whereas the Indo-Pacific region remains its primary geopolitical focus. Taipei holds immense strategic value for Washington and is unlikely to be treated as a bargaining chip in US-China relations. Trump’s vision of “making America great again” would be directly undermined by any move to abandon Taiwan. Despite the rhetoric of “America First,” the Trump administration understands the necessity of
In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
US President Donald Trump’s challenge to domestic American economic-political priorities, and abroad to the global balance of power, are not a threat to the security of Taiwan. Trump’s success can go far to contain the real threat — the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) surge to hegemony — while offering expanded defensive opportunities for Taiwan. In a stunning affirmation of the CCP policy of “forceful reunification,” an obscene euphemism for the invasion of Taiwan and the destruction of its democracy, on March 13, 2024, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) used Chinese social media platforms to show the first-time linkage of three new
Sasha B. Chhabra’s column (“Michelle Yeoh should no longer be welcome,” March 26, page 8) lamented an Instagram post by renowned actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) about her recent visit to “Taipei, China.” It is Chhabra’s opinion that, in response to parroting Beijing’s propaganda about the status of Taiwan, Yeoh should be banned from entering this nation and her films cut off from funding by government-backed agencies, as well as disqualified from competing in the Golden Horse Awards. She and other celebrities, he wrote, must be made to understand “that there are consequences for their actions if they become political pawns of