Monday, June 07, 2010

Daily Links, June 7, 2010


Lighting incense at the Matsu Temple in Dajia.

What's aflame on the blogs this week?

BLOGS:
MEDIA:
RESOURCES: The Chiayi Sound Project, recordings of events and ceremonies in Taiwan

CLIMATE: Arctic Ice in death spiral.
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Don't miss the comments below! And check out my blog and its sidebars for events, links to previous posts and picture posts, and scores of links to other Taiwan blogs and forums!

9 comments:

Dixteel said...

I think the Commonwealth piece mention some good points but it forgot or is affraid to mention another important elements: China sucking Taiwanese capital.

Although SK's companies also have factories and operation in China, the amount is far less. Also, as mentioned in the articles their conglomerates invested in R&D etc domestically and in exporting to other countries which result in their diversification etc. Therefore, percentage wise, their investment into China is even less.

At the same time, Taiwan's industries stay mostly in OEM and ODM etc...and a lot of them choose to or force to move to China, instead of considering other alternatives (there are of course some exceptions). This outflow of manufacturing sectors, of cours, result in shrinking service sectors and downward pressure on salaries. If this does not make GDP growth slows down dramatically I don't know what will.

Obviously, one can argue that the SK model and strategy has its own drawback and problems, which I agree completely. But the important thing is to figure out a way for Taiwan to gradually step out of this shit hole and move on.

Michael Turton said...

Yes, obviously the writer has overplayed SKorea's involvement in China, which may have mushroomed in recent years, because of his political biases. he also points out how unified Korea is, we'll never see that here because of the KMT's divide and rule strategies. Ironically the S Korea path was a lot closer to the DPP's position...

Anonymous said...

I'm just praying that Ma will be defeated in 2012 and the damage will be relatively contained and not spread.

Steven Crook said...

"The mating of foods with areas -- Taichung's sun cookie, Hsinchu's meatballs, etc -- was a deliberate KMT policy to encourage local tourism without encouraging local interest in local history and the growth of a local alternative identity. The current policy of promoting Taiwan's food to the world relies on the ardent Taiwanese belief that the island's cuisine is world class."

As someone who talks to a lot of foreign visitors of all nationalities, I think promoting Taiwan as a foodie destination makes a lot of sense. For HKers, Singaporeans, Japanese and other Asian visitors, Taiwan's food is a very important attraction. But I'm not saying there aren't other motives, and I do think the Taiwanese are a little too proud of their cuisine (and not proud enough of other aspects of the country).

Marc said...

I teach a class in creative business writing. One of the first writing tasks is to write a persuasive letter to someone inviting them to Taiwan - giving reasons and incentives that appeal to the senses.

Over the many times I've done this, very few have mentioned the food. CKS Memorial, National Museum, Yangmingshan and nightmarkets are consistently mentioned, but not the food.

I've been told by many of my professional clients that foreigners won't/don't like the local food.

Anonymous said...

Night markets are ALL about the food. In fact, this sector will come in for promotion under the government's food plan courtesy of a Tourism Bureau program slated for later this year.

Anonymous said...

I have to laugh every time I hear Taiwan wants to become an international tourist destination. WTF is here that people really want to see and experience?

Beef Noodle Soup?

P.S. Steven, good point about the KMT and the food promotion issue.

Dixteel said...

Taste of food is really a subjective thing. Our taste are developed since young. It would always be interesting to let foreigners taste the local food, but as a way of advanture, not as something superior. They might or might not like them. It would be interesting to survey which nationalities like which food etc...

Anonymous said...

why is it so surprising that kaohsiung world games stadium was voted best in the world? (when you said "you cant make this stuff up" i sensed cynacism there, unless i read you wrong). it's a beautiful stadium AND its environmentally friends. being that its the world's first 100% solar powered large-scale stadium warrants the #1 spot, and it should not be a surprise to anyone. and again, it's a beautifully designed stadium.