my family are Taiwanese-Americans. I was born in the US, but I grew up in a Taiwanese/Chinese household. I write both Taiwanese and Chinese because my grandparents were Chinese nationalists (KMT) who fought and lost to the communists and left China with Chiang Kaishek when he retreated to Taiwan. We’re from Guangdong.
Even though my grandparents spent most of their adult life in Taiwan and America, they still identify as Chinese. They still vote for the KMT and consider Taiwan a part of a democratic China, not the PRC but the ROC.
I don’t identify with an authoritarian China that suppresses freedom of speech, press and religion, commits cultural genocide against the Uyghurs, dilutes Tibetan culture and wants to annex democratic Taiwan. I wouldn’t like living in a country like that.
But that’s exactly what an uncle proposed me: some months ago he bought a house in Guangdong, a house he offers to our whole family. If I want, he says, I can live with him for free, he’s even offering me to let me live at his condo when he’s not in China (travels to America and Taiwan a lot).
I don’t see it: I’m politically active, actually support Taiwanese independence and I don’t believe I could keep my mouth shut if a Chinese starts telling me that Taiwan is a part of China every time I tell them I an actually Taiwanese. The conversation could go south really fast if they start to repeat communist propaganda about helping Uyghurs escape poverty (just an example out of several). I could land in jail.
My uncle says I should forget about politics and enjoy the scenery and local food. I still don’t see it.
Am I a moron? I’d only have to pay for the flight and food for as long as I live in China, a country cheaper than both Taiwan and the US
The biggest issue with accepting free housing and other perks is the unspoken cost. What are the expectations in return?
I’ve spent time in taiwan and mainland china, as well as many other asian countries, china has its citizenry riled up in rampant nationalism thanks to the isolation of the people and propaganda. The propaganda of taiwan (and hong kong) being part of china is deeply rooted in the state sponsored group-think and is not going away any time soon. I will say the people I met, while angry when speaking about taiwan, did not seem to wish the people there any ill will, rather they seemed upset about the very idea of taiwan being separate.
That’s all to say, the political situation is complex. However the real question here is multifold. 1) is it against your chosen moral framework to capitulate and live in china and 2) if it is, what are your morals worth to you, what specific monetary amount would get you to renounce your views.
Parts of china are beautiful, the culture is lovely especially in rural areas, and living there could genuinely be nice. However your country is currently presenting the world’s largest bullseye and while your presence won’t swing the final result, if you feel you have a moral responsibility to stay and speak up, then do so!