Job Discussion Forums

Dreganor

Is there anyone concerned with teaching in Taiwan due to the "new" threat China posed to them...which basically says that if Taiwan tries to become a more independent state they will f'ing invade.

Taiwan is not sitting still...they will have war games/drills...but let's face facts...despite the US supplying arms/armament...can they really stand against an army of 2.5 million strong who are armed with Russian Subs and Destroyers?

I WAS thinking of heading out to Taiwan to teach as my next gig, but now I'm reconsidering.

Here's the link to the article:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050308/ap_on_re_as/china_taiwan

Any thoughts anyone?

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

It's nothing new, really. China has always threatened Taiwan. I honestly do not see a formal move for independence in Taiwan any time soon. I also personally think the status quo is mutually beneficial-- Taiwan gets to be self ruling and China gets Taiwan as its single largest source of foreign investment--so I don't think there will be a violent clash any time soon.

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

I too plan on making my way out to Taiwan, and I have to admit, I am a little hesitant from the news. I do think though that this is mostly a "saving face" measure. I also do not see any major outbreak ahead. It would be like England attacking N. Ireland because they did not want to be part of the U.K. anymore. Any attack would put so much pressure on China it would probably be more costly then the current set up.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

If things start blowing up around you run for the mountians. Exclamation

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

For those of you in Taiwan currently, just how serious is it getting?

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

blueboy · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 27 Location: Seattle, Wa

No one here in Taiwan seems to care much about the Anti Seccesion law. The only talk I've heard about it has been on CNN. I really don't think that China would do something silly and run the risk of ruining their fun at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Polina · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 71

I believe Mainland China is crazy enough to do anything to retain their sovereignty of lands they perceive as being theirs. Look at what they did in Tibet. Some analyst said if they attacked this year or 2006, they'd still have time to clean up their image before the Olympics. Besides, the other countries really only care about what they have more of a stake in ... and which country, Taiwan or China, do they do more trade with ... ?!

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

When does the action start?

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

CndnEnrgy · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Toronto

Does anyone think this will have an effect on the job market there? Perhaps a shortage of new/former foreigners heading over?

Perhaps job availability and salaries will rise?

Or is it a meaningless scare that is national news here in Canada, but pretty much a yawn in Asia...?

puiwaihin · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 91

I think you should take an alarmist postion. China is going to invade and probably go to special lengths to massacre foreign teachers because they would be unwanted witnesses to the UN.

So you and pretty much every one else should stay as far away from Taiwan as you can.

That way I can stay here and demand more money! Twisted Evil

Seriously, I guess there could be an affect on the market if Western news manages to scare off potential workers. Your question sort of underscores the point. But I wouldn't count on that.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

puiwaihin wrote:

I think you should take an alarmist postion. China is going to invade and probably go to special lengths to massacre foreign teachers because they would be unwanted witnesses to the UN.

I don't know if you are joking! But that is exactly what the Chinese are planning on doing. I heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who is a high ranking officer!

puiwaihin · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 91

I was most certainly joking. And if your friend's friend's high ranking officer friend actually said that he would probably be joking, too.

The one way for China to ensure that the US would respond militarily to an invasion of Taiwan would be to kill US citizens. The US may not want to engage China despite whatever treaties it has saying it will. They have the "China is dealing with it's own internal affairs" card to play to get out of the predicament.

But I wouldn't discount an invasion.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

I was only joking too! I thought your post was funny!
But make no mistake, the U.S. Government doesn't care about it's citizens! If protecting Taiwan is profitable for the rich then the U.S. will send troops if not the U.S. will find a way to back out. But with the war monger as president, I dought the U.S. will back out.