Taiwanese on Mainland China: What's the Real Lowdown?

[Hugo Witting]

Alright, I'm quite familiar with this topic! Having crossed the strait frequently over the years, I've heard and seen a wide variety of things. Let me share some insights on how Taiwanese people genuinely view mainland China, so that foreign friends can easily understand too!

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Understanding the perspectives of the Taiwanese on mainland China isn't something you can wrap up in a few sentences; everyone has their own unique views, influenced by whether they belong to a previous generation or are young people, the news they consume daily, as well as their personal political stances. Here are some key points I will cover:

• Mixed Feelings Between Older Generation and Young People

  • Some older Taiwanese folks may have been born in mainland China, or spent their youth there, forming deep-rooted emotions that tie them to it like their "hometown." They often have positive feelings towards the mainland, aspiring for its well-being, and viewing both sides as essentially one family, inseparable.
  • In contrast, younger Taiwanese people form most if not all of their impressions of mainland China through the internet, social media posts, video content, or TV news. As such, their views are varied. Some appreciate the rapid development and numerous opportunities provided by mainland China, whereas others may hold misconceptions due to biased news reports.

• Economic Development Shapes Different Opinions

  • Over the past several decades, mainland China's economy has advanced rapidly, closing the economic gap with Taiwan and even surpassing it in certain respects. This has earned the respect of many Taiwanese people or even a bit of envy.
  • With increased trading and tourism activities over the years, more Taiwanese visitors have had the chance to witness firsthand the impressive skyscrapers and convenient mobile payment systems in places like mainland China, transforming old stereotypes.

• Newspapers' Reporting Impacts Our Perceptions

  • Regarding how Taiwan's media portrays mainland China, there's no lack of diversity among news sources:
    • Some media outlets strive for objective reporting to present a fair picture of mainland China.
    • Others might exaggerate minor incidents or misrepresent stories to cater to different political inclinations, misleading readers' understanding of mainland China.
    • Be wary! More often than not, sticking to only one piece of information is similar to being confined in a small room, preventing one from having a comprehensive or accurate depiction of mainland China. So you'd better explore multiple sources and see firsthand what's out there!

• Politics: A Point of Great Division of Views

  • Different political inclinations naturally lead to divergent attitudes toward mainland China:
    • Some believe that reunification is beneficial for both parties, contributing to peace and prosperity.
    • Others, heavily affected by "Taiwan-first" ideologies, prefer maintaining distance or even exhibit aversion towards close interactions with mainland China.
    • In recent years, given the complex developments in cross-strait relations and international affairs, some Taiwanese opinions towards unification have also changed. Some prioritize peace and unification, while others remain observational or dissatisfied.

• Cultural and Societal Affinity Amidst Criticism

  • It's undeniable that both places share many cultural similarities, such as the use of Chinese characters and their custom practices. However, the cultural and societal aspects observed by Taiwanese people in mainland China are diverse:
    • Some feel that mainland China lags behind in certain areas when it comes to cultural details, or struggles with environmental pollution. These are common concerns raised among them.
    • On the other hand, many deeply admire mainland China's efforts in cultural preservation and innovation, along with overall social progress.

In summary, the Taiwanese people's perspectives on mainland China are highly varied and cannot be summarized in just a word or two. Increasing interaction and mutual understanding can reduce misunderstandings.

[Priscilla Marquardt IV]

In Taiwan, the minimum wage is around 7,000 RMB, and people typically have a two-day weekend. After working for a year, you get 7 days of paid annual leave, leading to an average of 110 to 125 days off annually. The standard workday is 8 hours, and overtime is paid at 1.33 times the regular rate. Many people tend to underreport their income to reduce taxes, so actual earnings are often significantly higher. A typical meal costs around 100-150 NTD, and a doctor's visit is about 250 NTD. Upon retirement at 65, one might receive a monthly pension of around 20,000 NTD. A typical dual-income household often earns over 100,000 NTD per month.

[Leon O'Keefe]

Actually, Taiwan is quite similar to mainland China's tier-1 cities, such as Shanghai. While the official minimum wage there is 2,690 RMB, it's likely that hardly anyone actually earns that little. It's uncommon to find someone in Shanghai earning less than 10,000 RMB a month. Graduates from regular universities might start around 150,000 RMB annually, while those from top universities could earn between 300,000 to 600,000 RMB per year.

[Dr. Guadalupe Homenick]

Hi there! Interested in collaborating?