Good first impressions
Time went by fast — the one-and-a-half hours seemed too short for me to make myself believe I was almost in Taiwan. I peeped out the window to see the view as the plane was making a landing and the buildings were becoming clearer. Finally, I arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
When people arrive in an entirely new place, they probably make a lot of comparisons — as I did. I flew from the prosperous city of Shanghai, leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. While Taoyuan was smaller and less magnificent, it felt gentle and warm.
After arriving, we went through immigration processing and I was surprised the staff there communicated with me. Their consideration comforted me a lot. In China, the staff would hardly chat with you while they were working because of regulations.
At the exit, we were welcomed by students from Shih Hsin University. Just imagine how happy and delighted you would be when — as a stranger — you see a friend meeting you at the airport.
Later, we reached our dorm building, which was specially designed for Chinese exchange students and teachers. As the first newcomers of this building, we were under special consideration — a splendid dinner. Everything was well prepared and I was quite satisfied with my new dorm room — a double room. The first night was so comfortable and sweet. I was just like a typical spoiled expatriate.
In the following days, three of us traveled by ourselves. We were touched by the many Taiwanese we met and what we saw. When we got on the bus, the bus driver chatted with us. There was no one eating or drinking or talking very loudly.
When I was trying to find a seat, I found people smiling at me. I did not worry that sudden braking would send me tumbling me down because the bus was at a stable speed.
Looking out the bus window, I was watching the buildings with various types of architecture, combining the classical and modern together. It is a great human legacy and it is good to see that Taiwan can preserve it and balance it so well. They not only meet the needs of building function, but also satisfy the needs of the city, which are diverse and distinct.
And convenience store chains are everywhere, such as 7-Eleven. Many are nearby, sometimes even inside a building, MRT station or a railway station, making it easy for commuters to pop into a store to grab a meal on their way home.
I feel fortunate to be living here: A place I feel at home in, even though I am so far away from home.
I have also been impressed by the people here. Even a mere smile or “hello” would make me feel moved and inspired. Every time I pay for what I buy, the clerk would say “thank you” with a big smile. Every night when I come home, the doormen welcome us, waving their hands as if they’re our family members. They have warmed the hearts of hundreds of exchange students.
It seems Taiwanese do not work for money, but to enjoy life. I have been moved by this harmonious society. Unlike the sterotype of strangers in a strange land, in this city I can tell the whole society cares about us and I am no longer an outsider.
The first seven days made me consider living here forever rather than making me feel homesick or culture-shocked. I look forward to the following days and I will cherish every minute I spend in Taiwan.
Zeng Yanxi
Taipei
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
US President Trump weighed into the state of America’s semiconductor manufacturing when he declared, “They [Taiwan] stole it from us. They took it from us, and I don’t blame them. I give them credit.” At a prior White House event President Trump hosted TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家), head of the world’s largest and most advanced chip manufacturer, to announce a commitment to invest US$100 billion in America. The president then shifted his previously critical rhetoric on Taiwan and put off tariffs on its chips. Now we learn that the Trump Administration is conducting a “trade investigation” on semiconductors which
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
RSS