It has been more than a week since a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria, claiming the lives of more than 40,000 people, leaving tens of thousands more injured and millions homeless.
After the earthquake, more than 70 countries and 14 international organizations mobilized to send aid to Turkey. Taiwan sent two teams totaling 130 people and five dogs to take part in search-and-rescue efforts.
The public has also come together to donate money and disaster-relief goods, while President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and top officials pledged to give one month’s salary. As of Wednesday, public donations to a government-established fund had reached NT$801.6 million (US$26.5 million).
Taiwan is not just helping with donations and rescue teams. Before the earthquake, the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, a community complex run by a Taiwanese nonprofit organization near the Syrian border, had been caring for Syrian refugees in Turkey. Since the quake, it has taken in hundreds of Turkish evacuees, too.
However, China has taken the opportunity to gain a political advantage from the earthquake. Some Chinese online said Taiwan’s rescue teams were from “Taiwan, China.”
Several Turkish quake victims have also said that Chinese reporters offered to pay them to speak ill of the Turkish government, and to praise Chinese rescue teams for their excellent work.
While China has spared no effort to isolate Taiwan internationally, the nation has again demonstrated its soft power with its heartwarming actions.
Despite not having formal diplomatic relations with Turkey, Taiwan is still keen to help. As the nation shared its knowledge of the SARS outbreak to help others fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has not withheld its competence, but raced to Turkey to help with rescue operations based on its experience with handling earthquakes at home. Taiwan has trained dogs and earthquake response personnel in Nantou County, and has become a leader and mentor for other nations — especially New Southbound nations — to respond to earthquakes. Taiwan’s speedy response showed that it is well-trained in crisis management, deployment of equipment and personnel, and is willing to share its resources.
The country’s proactive attitude also showed that it had not forgotten Turkey’s invaluable assistance 24 years ago after the 921 Earthquake.
Besides being slow on the uptake of rescue missions, China resorted to its old trick of claiming Taiwanese accomplishments as its own. Even worse, while Turkey and other nations are occupied with rescue missions, its media is busy spreading Chinese propaganda, regardless of the trauma experienced by quake survivors.
Taiwan might not have as much economic power as China, but it has been relentless in generating goodwill abroad. As Taiwan became a bellwether in pandemic prevention, it continues to contribute to international efforts in times of crisis. The slogan “Taiwan can help” can ensure the nation’s ability to build new friendships and advance its global status.
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