Retired lecturer Donald Ho was out for his morning stroll in a busy downtown park on Saturday, anxious about what Chinese jets and ships holding war games around Taiwan meant for freedom in the country.
“I am a little worried, I would be lying to you if I say that I am not,” the 73-year-old said in Taipei.
“The problem is sovereignty. I want independence, but they [China] just regard Taiwan as a province,” he said.
Photo: Hsieh Chieh-yu, Taipei Times
Beijing launched three days of military drills on Saturday dubbed “Joint Sword” to rehearse the encirclement of Taiwan after a meeting between President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday in California.
It was the biggest military action by Beijing around Taiwan since launching huge drills in August last year following a visit by then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Other Taiwanese were out stretching their legs or practicing taichi in Daan Park, unbowed by the new military movements offshore.
“Go to the city, everybody is eating, dancing, laughing, everything,” retired businessman Jasper Lee, 75, said. “China, they are stuck in their brain. They think Taiwan belongs to them.”
Taiwanese of all ages were keen to shake off the Chinese threat, while reiterating that being free was paramount.
“We have to keep our life going. We cannot just stop our life,” said 16-year-old student Nathan Green, a dual Australian-Taiwanese national.
“I don’t like a government that is like a prison. I don’t like a government that wants to control our people. I like a government that is free,” he said.
His friend Wison Su, 16, said that he wants to join the army after finishing school because he is a patriot like his brother, who has served for three years.
“I don’t like the government, but I don’t hate the people in China,” he said.
While sentiment among the park-goers was mostly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, some felt a kinship with Chinese living under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) assertive rule.
“I feel safe in Taiwan. I don’t think they will attack. We are like brothers,” 57-year-old teacher John Shih said. “If they bomb Taiwan, the relationship is broken forever.”
Even in the relative calm, Taiwanese residents were clear that the liberties they enjoy are sacrosanct.
“Freedom is maybe the most important thing for a country,” Green said.
A group of university students practiced their dance moves in Liberty Square in Taipei, seemingly unfazed by the massive Chinese military exercises.
“Of course I am a bit afraid,” said Hong Xiang-yu, a 23-year-old university student, after dance practice in the popular public square. “Look, we are at Liberty Square. I hope to stay free, to do whatever I wish and say whatever I want to say.”
The imposing square, flanked by Taipei’s grand National Theater and Concert Hall, has become a site for social gatherings as well as rallies and protests.
Residents regularly gather there and school bands and dance troupes are a common sight.
“I think many Taiwanese have gotten used to it by now, the feeling is like: ‘Here we go again,’” 16-year-old Jim Tsai said.
While people appeared to have grown accustomed to Chinese aggression, they still hold faith that Taiwan will remain free.
“We are concerned, but we need to move on. I believe our government will not let us down,” Hong said.
“They [China] seem to like doing it, circling Taiwan like it’s theirs. I am used to it now,” said Michael Chuang, a 32-year-old construction worker.
He, like many others, remained pragmatic.
“If they invade, we can’t escape anyway. We’ll see what the future holds and go from there,” he said.
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