The simple, obvious reason that makes ‘Taiwan’ in the position of being ‘a nation that everyone (can’t) see’

(Collected from Asia Times www.atimes.com)

Invisible for a reason
By GEORGE KOO
06/11/2023

The simple, obvious reason that makes ‘Taiwan’ in the position of being ‘a nation that everyone (can’t) see’

A dear friend of ours who we haven’t seen in a while. invited us to watch the movie “Invisible Nation” (a nation that everyone cannot see) at Stanford University last Thursday night (2 Nov.) It’s a great opportunity to visit and catch up with old friends and have a light dinner. As promised by the organizers, however, when we got there The food boxes had all been taken away. That became the top of the list of disappointments. that we are experiencing at this time

“Invisible Nation” is listed as a documentary film about Taiwan. and is starting to be released throughout the United States Considered with various standards According to the tradition of academic journalism circles Documentary films are expected to be informative and educational by presenting facts. Purely, not contaminated with bias. And let the viewers come to their own conclusions. It appears that “Invisible Nation” turned out to be a work that parodies good qualities. All of the documentary films It was laced with unabashed praise and praise for Cai Ingwen. As well as certifying and praising with all our might that Taiwan is a model of democracy.
(See more about this film at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28853268/)

The faults of “Invisible Nation” are many. But most of it comes from the deliberate omission of history and information about people.

The film paints a picture of Taiwan’s history as beginning with the Dutch colonization of the island. They also boast that there has only been one time when a government has ruled both mainland China and the island of Taiwan. That was from 1945 to 1949, the brief reign of Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang (KMT), which reasserted their claim to Taiwan after the war. The second time ended and ended when he had to flee mainland China and go to Taiwan.

Presenting a picture like this in the slightest way would mean trying to mislead the viewer. And most seriously, it must be said that it was a lie without restraint at all.

Koxinga, the liberator of Taiwan It’s not mentioned in the movie.

The documentary fails badly in not mentioning Koxinga, whose real name was Zheng Chenggong, a leader in the late Ming Dynasty. who oppose the Manchu occupation of mainland China and retreated to settle in Taiwan by driving the Dutch out of this island. In the end, Zheng’s grandson Surrendered to the court of the Manchu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in Beijing. And then for many periods of time Centuries since then Taiwan becomes part of China. Until Beijing lost a naval war against Japan. and Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895.
(Learn more about Koxinga at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koxinga)

“Invisible Nation” also does not mention the Potsdam Declaration. What Japan must do for unconditional surrender in World War II Drafted by the Allies which stipulates that Japan must return the island of Taiwan to China as well
(See more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdam_Declaration)

throughout that war The United States continues to recognize Taiwan as part of China. This assurance continued when US President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972 and was later reaffirmed by President Jimmy Carter. as well as from every American president. people ever since

This documentary film parody does it right. who saw the actions of Li Teng-hui as tantamount to turning his back on politics and not agreeing with the tyrannical rule of the Kuomintang government. In 1988, Li inherited He was succeeded by Chiang Ching-kuo, the son of Chiang Kai-shek, who led the retreat from the mainland to Taiwan in 1949. His son Chiang took power in Taiwan in 1978 and Begin the process of liberalizing and relaxing control of the island. He chose Li to be his vice president because Li was born in Taiwan.
(See more about Li Tenghui at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Teng-hui)

Perhaps Jiang didn’t even realize that. Li is also known as Iwasato Masao in Japanese. It is well known that Li/Iwasato who are native Taiwanese who speak Japanese has told dignitaries from Japan who visited Taiwan that His loyalties leaned more towards Japan than towards China.

There is also the fact that His older brother was killed while serving as a member of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. and his name is inscribed on a shrine at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Among other war casualties Including some war criminals who were actually convicted. as alleged

After World War II Many Japanese continued to reside in Taiwan. They adopted Chinese surnames. and blend in with local society The question of which faction do they allegiance to? Including the influence of the Japanese, who are estimated to number in the hundreds of thousands and still reside alongside their descendants. How much influence does it have on Taiwan’s politics? It is still a matter that has not been seriously researched.

The DPP’s ‘progressive’ image

Naturally, the film features many of the observations and speeches of Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s current president, for other prominent media personalities who also appear in “Invisible Nation.” It consists of those who admire you and those who follow you. And there is even a senior minister who is transgender. The movie also boasts that Taiwan is number one faster than anyone else. Friends in Asia on Acceptance of Same-Sex Marriage and protecting the rights of LGBTQ people – absolutely. This is a progressive mindset that is even several steps ahead of the United States.

The film also includes clips of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi making an unexpected visit to Taiwan. Even though this action is contrary to the advice that everyone has, give to her But it gave Tsai and the DPP plenty of excitement to watch as the most powerful woman in Washington met with Taiwan’s first female president. –It couldn’t find anything more beautiful than this.

It’s a real blessing that “Invisible Nation” doesn’t have video footage of Tsai wearing the beauty pageant-style sash for Pelosi. In addition, there are things that were not included in the movie at all. There is also the debate that Pelosi’s actions would have crossed a red line drawn by Beijing. Thus causing great tension over the Taiwan Strait. and urged threats to come out of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. that there will be a hostile response

There were many people that the production team should have interviewed to get their opinions. But I didn’t do it. They should interview Taiwanese living and working on the mainland about their views on Taiwan-mainland relations. They should also interview the people who form the overwhelming majority in Taiwan. who are admirers of the status quo Do not accept both national reunification and independence.

They should also ask people on the street. What do they think about their relationship with Uncle Sam? It asks sharp questions such as: Will the United States really fight alongside Taiwan’s military? How do they feel about Washington’s pressure on the Tsai government? Having to buy weapons that are outdated and obsolete?

How do they feel about being forced to buy contaminated pork from American farmers? What do they think of President Joe Biden’s use of pressure on Taiwanese companies? semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) had to move its advanced chip manufacturing facility to Arizona, and TSMC faced unprecedented labor problems, spiraling costs, and Construction had to be delayed several times? Has Biden shown any respect for Taiwan’s “sovereignty”?

Taiwan exists as a “nation that everyone cannot see” for a simple and easily understandable reason: Taiwan is not a nation to them at all. But it’s a province in China. It’s as simple as this.

George Koo Retired from a global consulting services company. where he advises clients on their business strategies and operations in China. He is a graduate of MIT, Stevens Institute, and Santa Clara University and is the founder and former managing director of International Strategic Alliances, he is currently a member of the board of Freschfield, a new green construction platform.