The intense three-sided competition between Taiwanese and diaspora Chinese (PRC + KMT) in the US was on display in San Francisco in the Christian Science Monitor this week:Betty Yuan left Taiwan for San Francisco in 1981, when mainland China was just beginning to open its economy.
Now, a booming China is hosting the 2008 Olympics and is sending the Olympic torch to San Francisco. To celebrate, Ms Yuan will be helping deploy costumed performers, tai chi practitioners, and children's artwork along Wednesday's torch route.
But she is upset about the demonstrations planned by thousands of Tibetans, Burmese, Falun Gong believers, and others to protest China's human rights record.
"We are disappointed that some politicians and interest groups are threatening to stage protests and ruin the Games, for the sake of bad-mouthing and insulting China," she said in a statement in Chinese she released as head of the Northern California Chinese Culture-Athletic Federation.
For decades, the Chinese community in San Francisco has been broadly divided between mainlanders and the numerically smaller but more prosperous and influential Taiwanese, who are traditionally critical of the Communist regime in Beijing. Yet, many Chinese-Americans including Taiwanese like Yuan support the Games and denounce the human rights protests reflects the power of ethnic pride over politics – but also a shift in the diaspora's attitude toward Beijing in recent years.
It is easy to see that the writers have confused pro-KMT organizations with Taiwanese organizations, a common error. What the article really shows is how the pro-China Return to Zion theology of the KMT entails an inevitable drift towards Beijing over time on the part of KMT organizations as Taiwan democratizes. As any perusal of the websites of overseas Taiwan organizations like FAPA would show, the Taiwanese organizations support the Tibetans. It's a shame the piece is so confused on this topic, and did not include any of those voices.
It's also hilarious -- but also ominous -- to see US-based organizations, whatever their ethnic bent, reproducing the bombastic, illogical, and anti-democratic rhetoric of Beijing. If they are treated as 'Bots for Beijing, they have only themselves to blame.
Finally, complaints from Chinese about foreigners "politicizing the Olympics" are laughable hypocrisy. China has heavily politicized the Torch and demanded that pro-democracy politics, public protests, and other political activities abate during the Olympics, and used the Olympics as a lever to gain political ground in overseas Chinese communities, as this article shows. Further, those of us who have followed Taiwan's participation in international sporting events over the years can recall numerous instances of Chinese demanding the removal or alteration of flags, physical attacks on spectators and athletes, obnoxious protests, insistence on downgrading or eliminating Taiwan's participation in events, denials of visas, and so on. When it comes to the depoliticization of international sports, China has no ethical leg to stand on. Perhaps there is some standpoint from which people can plead that the Olympics not be "politicized," but until such talk includes withering criticism of China's constant politicization of international sports in general, and the Olympics in particular, it will be little more than special pleading on Beijing's behalf.
UPDATE: As Thomas reminds me below, China boycotted the 1980 Olympics.
[Taiwan]
35 comments:
I've seen it repeatedly. Taiwanese living in the multi-cultural environment of the US tend to fall back on and identify with their 'Chinese-ness'. While they still feel that Taiwan is more advanced than China - especially politically - they still feel a sense of cultural 'affinity' and 'pride' (notice I didn't say 'superiority'........). Despite this, they are usually quick to point out that they are from Taiwan and not China.
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I'd just like to point out that The Foreigner has an excellent series on the historic tradition of protests during the ancient Greece games.
The spirit of the Olympics INCLUDES protesting the cause of the day.
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I couldn't agree more. I think the modern Olympics have always been politicized to some degree. And China certainly can't complain.
Everything that China does or did is wrong. So what do you propose to do that it's considered right in your holy mind.
Everything that China does or did is wrong.
I don't know how you leapt from "China is acting hypocritical in complaining about politicizing the Olympics" to "Everything China does is wrong" but I am certainly not going to follow you donw that trail of illogic and stupidity.
A-gu, my Tainan trip turned out to be pretty much 9 hours a day of class and meetings, including the weekend. Sorry man.
Michael
99 out of 100 Betty Yuan's is waisheng. That explains everything.
Oh... and.. um... Free Mumia Abu Jamal Peltier too!
I read the whole article from CSM and really I don't see how you come to this observation: "It is easy to see that the writers have confused pro-KMT organizations with Taiwanese organizations, a common error." Most of the articles points are based off individual interviews and community observations; of the few organizations mentioned, none can be identified as pro-KMT or even a Taiwanese organization. Perhaps it is you who is confused on this issue. Also are you saying that pro-KMT organizations aren't Taiwanese organizations, or rather Taiwanese organizations can't be pro-KMT? Since when did the two become mutually exclusive? Your use of FAPA as an example of a Taiwanese organization supporting the Tibetans is also nonsensical to your argument, since many FAPA chapters in the US are distinctly pro-KMT. And since when did the KMT not support Tibet (or for that matter when did the DPP support the Tibetans)? This whole term “supporting Tibet” is just a political slogan used by both the DPP and KMT to garner votes. We all know that neither side really gives a crap about Tibet.
If China doesn't want to mix sports with politics, then China shouldn't mix health with politics either.
Let Taiwan join the World Health Organization. Stop playing politics with the health and lives of millions.
Well said!!
Yeah, this Betty has got to be Waishengren. Only reclusive hermits, monks preaching reunification, and the last of the primitive apes don't understand that the Olympics have always, to some extent, been political.
The PRC and its supporters are the only ones stupid enough to ask for "nonpoliticization" when they know that they're just trying to pretend they never promised to improve human rights and guarantee total press freedom in 2001.
The Olympics have been identified as a universal event and aligned with a UN mentality which says the two have similar goals.
Actually, the games are merely an extension of an aggressive mentality towards mankind in general. Thru competitive games we teach our children how to prepare for war.
Those who choose to demonstrate along the torch route are taking an opportunity to have an impact on public thinking about those parts of the world who are not on an even playing field anywhere in the world.
Taiwanese who criticize this activity are probably looking at a different picture than those in the West who demonstrate.
Most of the articles points are based off individual interviews and community observations; of the few organizations mentioned, none can be identified as pro-KMT or even a Taiwanese organization. Perhaps it is you who is confused on this issue.
That is my whole point. None can be identified as a Taiwanese org. In other words, the author thinks that the TWO sides are moving closer to each other, when there are THREE.
Also are you saying that pro-KMT organizations aren't Taiwanese organizations, or rather Taiwanese organizations can't be pro-KMT?
Neither. I'm saying that there is another side gone AWOL here: the pro-Taiwan side.
Since when did the two become mutually exclusive?
Didn't say they were.
Your use of FAPA as an example of a Taiwanese organization supporting the Tibetans is also nonsensical to your argument, since many FAPA chapters in the US are distinctly pro-KMT.
Now that's interesting, because I've never met a FAPA chapter that was pro-KMT. Can you name particular chapters that are that way?
This whole term “supporting Tibet” is just a political slogan used by both the DPP and KMT to garner votes. We all know that neither side really gives a crap about Tibet.
Yes, well, the pro-Taiwan orgs are also pro-Tibet. Your opinion of their sincerity is duly noted.
Michael
"It is easy to see that the writers have confused pro-KMT organizations with Taiwanese organizations, a common error."
Oh no, not that identity mumbo jumbo nonsense again. No wonder DPP and Taiwan Independence movement are crashing and burning.
I find this interesting about the origin of the Olympic torch relay:
"But the idea of lighting the torch at the ancient Olympian site in Greece and then running it through different countries has much darker origins.
It was invented in its modern form by the organizers of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
And it was planned with immense care by the Nazi leadership to project the image of the Third Reich as a modern, economically dynamic state with growing international influence."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/9/94841/98874/583/492664
Response to L.Ling-chi Wang: Bashing-China is not the answer on CNN:
Dr. Wang misses the point of the protests insisting that this isn't the proper platform for Tibetans to voice their opposition to Beijing’s occupation of Tibet and crackdown on its people.
Indeed, the Olympics are about politics. Can Dr. Wang honestly say that Beijing hasn’t taken every opportunity to tout the 2008 Olympics as a demonstration of its success and rising stature as a major world player? Or not a justification of its policies? Surely, he cannot deny the political motives of Beijing when it tested its first nuclear missile during the 1964 summer games in Tokyo. Or did Adolph Hitler not use the Berlin Olympics as a demonstration of the power of Nazi Germany?
However unpleasant it is for some Chinese to hear criticism, these protests put the issue of Tibetan freedom front and center, forcing reluctant world leaders to pay attention and pressure China into engaging dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
International pressure and media coverage of these protests are forcing Beijing to confront something new: scrutiny and accountability of its actions. Something it has never had to deal with before. But the more a government is accountable, the more legitimate it is. So far, Beijing is failing the test.
All critiques from Chinese or the Chinese government about the politicisation of the games go out the window when one notes that China boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This is a point that can't be mentioned enough.
I for one am never fond of the whole "your country did it too, so ours has a right" mentality, but such a mentality becomes quite important when the complaining country, itself a former boycotter, is trying to make an argument that the games are ONLY about sports and brotherly love. This is just not true. The games have been political since their inception.
Note that participants are from national teams rather than individual participants and that medals are tallied by country. Note that winners stand under flags as their national anthem is played. Glorification of countries is very much a part of the games. China decided not to glorify the USSR in the past. What is wrong with others not wanting to glorify China over a similarly disgraceful situation?
Origin Of China's 2008 Olympics Logo
One more thing that came to mind: Notice that the Taiwanese medal winners are not allowed to appear with their national flag and they are not allowed to have their national anthem played. Hmmmm..... I wonder why that is? Could the reason be political?
This article really exposes the rift in the Chinese American community in the US which MT commented on. And also what the first anony comment mentioned. I will just add that what has happened in the US in the last 10 years or so is a wholesale re-alignment of Chinese American organizations and which flag they display at their meetings... Basically all the old-guard "Zionist" (as MT put it...) groups in Chinatowns that were formerly pro-ROC have all turned pro-PRC. I guess the whole principled stand against communism goes out the window when democracy tosses out the people (i.e. KMT) that gave you money.
The DPP government did not do a very good job cultivating new Taiwanese civic groups other than long standing ones like FAPA. The Taiwanese Diaspora in US is not really organized or represented politically like Korean Americans, Japanese Ameircans, Cuban Americans, or Mexican Americans. On top of this, the 2nd and 3rd generation Taiwanese Americans for the most part don't care. This group is more vested in US politics and whether Obama will rescue them from Bush. Unlike 2nd/3rd generation Korean or Mexican Americans that pay attnetion to US policy on North Korea or immigration, 2nd/3rd generation Taiwanese Americans have practically no opinions (at least on the level that may influence elected officials) on Taiwan.
And then there are the new PRC immigrants that came after 1989 (when Bush I gave them green cards after Tiananmen Square massacre... ironic right?) that are rabidly “patriotic”. This group is very successful at organizing civic groups (probably with financial assistance from PRC) and they are popping up like mushrooms all over the US under the guise of various “Chinese Culture Associations”. It may ostensibly be about forming Chinese American civic groups but the purpose is overtly political: to convert formerly pro-KMT Chinese Americans and pro-KMT Taiwanese Americans into PRC supporters. And the Olympic is the first time the mainstream US media has noticed these faux-cultural associations. Unfortunately, the media has pretty much accept their “cultural” premise at face value. And some of these idiots are saying some really dumb things on TV and quoted in newspapers repeating PRC propaganda and equating unquestioned support for PRC as as “Chinese American cultural pride”.
I'm disappointed in your title, which uses the propaganda language of China ("politicizing" the Olympics, as if some international event that revolves around national pride could be apolitical).
La you're a freak. The supposed identity problem is between bensheng and waisheng. How could making distinctions between POLITICAL organizations, KMT ones/pro-KMT ones and pro-independence ones be an identity issue?
Should I feel bad if I labeled Barack Obama pro-national healthcare? Is that an identity issue? What are you smoking?
Brace yourself. The 2008 Olympic Games are to China as the 1936 Olympic Games were to Germany. You have two fascist governments trying to playing "peace with the world". I just wonder what will happen after the Olympics are finished when China no longer can use it as a promotion-power tool?
Anon, what are you jiving?
DPP has been crushed, because they only know how to play the identity politics well, and that's so passe.
The Taiwan independence movement's time has come and gone. Time to move on.
Anon, to me, La's comments look more like the knee-jerk, simplistic responses of ultra-nationalists that you typically read in many blogs that talk about Chinese issues. They are like bots in chatrooms that can make prefabricated responses without depth only. I kind of think you are criticising a wall.
Re: the comments emanating from San Francisco:
There is a powerful KMT presence dominating local politics in ths city. James Soong owns vast amounts of real estate there (don't forget that was a problem for him in the 2004 bid for president). The KMT HQ is prominently located on Stockton Street, and has been for decades (there's another chapter in Oakland). You can be sure that Mayor Gavin Newsom, coming from old money/old power, was "encouraged" to make sure the Olympic torch run was going to be successful, that the news reflected some dismay at the criticism of China, and the Board of Supervisors who officially denounced China's human rights failures would be viewed as a bunch of reactionary kooks.
That is, if Gavin expect to be elected governor in the next election...
La, I'm Taiwanese living in Taiwan. Don't tell me you're another waisheng living in the US with nothing better to do than mettle in Taiwanese politics. You don't talk to young people do you?
The DPP, in one of its worst election defeats since the early 90s, received the support of 55-56% of people age 21-29. The number of people who identify solely as Taiwanese and not Chinese in annual surveys is over 80%.
Taiwanese independence isn't an issue because the electorate believe the KMT is capable of being "bentu" and maintaining Taiwan's independent status. The DPP forced the KMT to take its positions, but lost differentiation in the process.
You just repeat KMT propaganda. I have no respect for people that repeat lines from Taiwanese newspapers or political talk shows because it shows can't think on your own. You didn't even use the line right since pro-KMT organizations vs pro-independence organizations isn't what the supposed identity issue is about. You are basically an illogical idiot.
Since you want to talk about the identity issue... let me ask you this. If it were simply ethnic identity and not political position (i.e. pro-unification or pro-independence), then why is Min-nan not a salient identity. Have you ever heard of people from Kinmen identifying with their fellow Min-nan from Taiwan?
The DPP had much more favorable policies for aboriginals and Hakka than the KMT and saying that the DPP was just playing identity politics is just blindly accepting an outright smear and lie. There used to be a lot of systematic favoritism towards waisheng/KMT/soldiers/teachers/officials in Taiwan and getting rid of some of that is one of the steps in modernizing Taiwan's economy and government. You can call it identity politics; I call it fair, just, and modern.
La. Are you even Taiwanese? Your overly pessimistic view about Taiwan comes off as quite pro-KMT, but even more than that, pro-authoritarian rule.
While the Independence movement may very well have been set back by the election of Ma, Taiwan's democracy movement will still continue. This election just showed that the people will elect what they want, and that the government can not do whatever the hell they want. Checks and balances, the people have done the checking. What's left to be seen is if checks and balances can be made by a KMT controlled executive and LY.
SIR,
the photo tat you posted is keelung?
tina
formosasavage said, "The 2008 Olympic Games are to China as the 1936 Olympic Games were to Germany".
Too far fetching. If you're a foreigner, I won't blame you for thinking negatively about China as most of them certainly have some mental blockage trying to understand China. China was, and will not an aggressor as the West. The Chinese may be their own style of thinking but certainly the majority of Chinese think more of making money for their family instead of looking for war.
Wake up if you ain't.
Yes, Tina, the photo is a very hazy photo of Keelung.
"Too far fetching."
China doesn't have to invade the Sudetenland for there to be some truth in the comparison. Nobody said it was exact. Two authoritarian governments, two nationalistic Games, two coming-out parties. What is so hard to understand about that?
"If you're a foreigner, I won't blame you for thinking negatively about China as most of them certainly have some mental blockage trying to understand China."
So the patronising tone of your comment aside, you are saying that if he is Chinese (or Taiwanese, you did not say which country), you will call him a traitor and damn his ancestors for daring to think differently than you do?
So let me get this straight. It is either "You are foreign so you will never understand" or "You are not a foreigner so you must be blameworthy". How convenient for you! It must be so fun to always be right when it comes to controversial topics.
Anon said: What's left to be seen is if checks and balances can be made by a KMT controlled executive and LY.
This is the key. How is anyone going to control the money lust that will begin after May 20. Similar to the Repug supported wallstreet gangsters who are getting away with massive theft, who is going to control the corruption if the judicial, legislative and exec power is controlled by one party? American taxpayers are getting butt raped, but our bought off congress is useless to put and end to these crimes.
anonymous:
since many FAPA chapters in the US are distinctly pro-KMT.
That's an outright lie !!!
FAPA has been against KMT's US policy since it was established. In fact, in the years when KMT ruled, what KMT did was pulling FAPA's leg, making FAPA's work in USA much harder. There's no way that any FAPA chapter is pro-KMT.
Dudes, no need to get too defensive about what ya are jiving.
Based on what I have observed in US colleges and major cities with large "Taiwanese" population, I would say identity politics and Taiwan independence movement are not looking good.
Now, if KMT has no problem with being Huaren, more power to them. People keep electing them, and what can one do? LOL.
Basically all the old-guard "Zionist" (as MT put it...) groups in Chinatowns that were formerly pro-ROC have all turned pro-PRC. I guess the whole principled stand against communism goes out the window when democracy tosses out the people (i.e. KMT) that gave you money.
Or, it could be that in the past few decades Taiwan has been steadly withdrawing itself from a Chinese identity and no longer claims to represent and defend the interests of ethnic Chinese.
Given that none of the people in Chinatowns and their associations are from Taiwan, why would they align themselves with a government that is does not identify with them or their interests?
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