This is the Year of the Dragon. At the beginning of the year, the Chinese government announced that “dragon” is to be translated as long (龍), in a move meant to erase the supposed negative connotations of dragons.
In many Western cultures, dragons are often seen as wicked or demonic.
This is not just a mere linguistic adjustment. It is symbolic, representing a change in China’s current political culture.
Under the overbearing leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the Chinese government has been undergoing a cultural policy of “de-Westernization.”
Although this change in semantics is just one of many examples, it has garnered a lot of attention from the global community.
Xi is pushing forward with the economic policy of “building a nest to attract a phoenix and emptying the cage to switch out the birds.”
This is his attempt at reducing global downturns and economic reliance on Western nations. However, the result leaves much to be desired.
Xi’s ethno-nationalistic policy of “de-Westernization” has brought about changes such as banning foreign names and restricting foreign holidays and celebrations.
These measures are meant to isolate it, gradually sealing the country off from the international community.
China is not stopping at “de-Westernization” either. Changes are also happening in its religious policies.
It has moved away from its previous stance of relative tolerance of “sinicized religion,” and now leans toward “secularization” under communistic atheism.
This has led to the suppression of religious groups — such as Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and Muslims — and have drawn domestic and foreign attention.
These policy changes could lead to conflict between China and religious countries.
Taiwan has also been affected by China’s cultural policies, especially the younger generation.
Although the government has been promoting its “Bilingual by 2030” policy, which aims to increase the country’s international integration, it is difficult for Taiwanese to avoid China’s infiltration through media such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu.
Taiwan must be more vigilant. It must avoid being entangled in Beijing’s fabricated “Chinese culture” trap.
President-elect William Lai’s (賴清德) proposed NT$10 billion (US$316.69 million) “foreign study dream fund” is a step in the right direction. However, rules must be in place to make sure it will not be monopolized by a select few.
China’s cultural policies have domestic and international effects.
Taiwan must continue to be vigilant, hold on to its own cultural values and avoid being manipulated by Chinese political forces.
The international community must also pay attention to China’s suppression of cultures and religions, as well as its infringement on human rights.
We must protect the diversity of human cultures and religious freedom.
Gong Lin-dong is a research fellow who focuses on the Chinese Communist Party.
Translated by Tim Smith
To The Honorable Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜): We would like to extend our sincerest regards to you for representing Taiwan at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday. The Taiwanese-American community was delighted to see that Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan speaker not only received an invitation to attend the event, but successfully made the trip to the US. We sincerely hope that you took this rare opportunity to share Taiwan’s achievements in freedom, democracy and economic development with delegations from other countries. In recent years, Taiwan’s economic growth and world-leading technology industry have been a source of pride for Taiwanese-Americans.
Next week, the nation is to celebrate the Lunar New Year break. Unfortunately, cold winds are a-blowing, literally and figuratively. The Central Weather Administration has warned of an approaching cold air mass, while obstinate winds of chaos eddy around the Legislative Yuan. English theologian Thomas Fuller optimistically pointed out in 1650 that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” We could paraphrase by saying the coldest days are just before the renewed hope of spring. However, one must temper any optimism about the damage being done in the legislature by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), under
To our readers: Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, from Sunday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 2, the Taipei Times will have a reduced format without our regular editorials and opinion pieces. From Tuesday to Saturday the paper will not be delivered to subscribers, but will be available for purchase at convenience stores. Subscribers will receive the editions they missed once normal distribution resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2. The paper returns to its usual format on Monday, Feb. 3, when our regular editorials and opinion pieces will also be resumed.
This year would mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the India Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi. From the vision of “Look East” in the 1990s, India’s policy has evolved into a resolute “Act East,” which complements Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy.” In these three decades, India and Taiwan have forged a rare partnership — one rooted in shared democratic values, a commitment to openness and pluralism, and clear complementarities in trade and technology. The government of India has rolled out the red carpet for Taiwanese investors with attractive financial incentives
RSS