Opinion | The role of Hainan cross-Straits integration through positive experience
By Augustus K. Yeung
Introduction
The power of political economy is almost magical; however, it can be used or abused, leading to different outcomes. The issue of Taiwan is a matter of politicization, created as a result of its past history with the KMT occupying the island and mismanaging it, turning some people to form the Democratic Progressive Party using, "Taiwan Independence" as a slogan to gain political clout over the KMT.
The concept of political economy can be better used by putting economic development full steam ahead and above politics, a strategy China is using. Look at China's special economic zones, with one after another, yet bigger than ever. Like the latest one, Hainan.
The story of Huang Cheng-wi illustrates the strategic success of China, which has been pushing for economic development that benefits the people from Taiwan region, Southeast Asian countries, and English-speaking countries.
Mr. Huang's experience is a model of success. It can be forged and will flourish one day that would result in cross-Straits unity.
Huang Cheng-wei, Young man from Taiwan who Went to Jiangsu…
Huang Cheng-wei, a 35-year-old man from Taiwan who came to Jiangsu province to study when he was 18, didn't imagine he would become so deeply rooted in the Mainland later.
Huang's family migrated to Taiwan from the city of Quanzhou, Fujian province, during the later Qing Dynasty (164-1911).
His father had run a denture manufacturing business for many years and stayed connected with the mainland.
Influenced by his family, Huan learned a lot about the mainland from a young age.
"My first trip to the mainland was a short visit in 1996. In 2003, I went back to explore the possibility of studying here," he said.
During the two trips, Huang was shocked by China's meteoric economic development that had taken place.
In National Unifications, China's Flourishing Economy is on the Right Track
"I visited eastern coastal regions such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang province and Shanghai at that time. I was quite impressed by the flourishing of the economy, the urban infrastructure and, most importantly, the vitality of the people pursuing a brighter future," he said. "And I made up my mind to have a deeper connection with the mainland."
After earning his bachelor's degree, he got his master's at Southern Medical University and worked at Guangdong Provincial Stemmatological Hospital after graduation.
He also found love during his time on the Mainland – Xiong Yue, a colleague of Huang's from Guizhou province. After getting married in 2018, they moved back to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou, to pursue their careers.
"I see a promising future here," Huang, now a dentist at the Stemmatological Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, he said.
The Magic Formula: Visits, Studies, Career Development and Marriage…
"According to an employment survey for those born in Taiwan after 1980, 56 percent of respondents want to leave Taiwan to work, among which 33 percent of young people choose the mainland," said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council at a news conference recently. "We welcome young people from Taiwan to work and live on the mainland."
Since 2015, the office has awarded licenses to set up 78 youth employment and entrepreneurship bases and demonstration sites across the Taiwan Straits, providing internship and employment positions, and training for the youth from Taiwan.
"Young people with dreams prefer to seize opportunities and work hard for a good life; they can solidify the development of cross-Straits relations. We will continue to create better conditions to benefit Taiwan compatriots as we serve people on the mainland," Zhu said hopefully.
Regarding his experience on the Mainland, Huang said: "I received a warm welcome and care from colleagues, people and the government after settling down in Guiyang. The Guizhou provincial government has carried out preferential policies for people from Taiwan, including providing free accommodation, tax reductions and exemptions for enterprises. All these policies are attractive, and a great number of residents from Taiwan are chasing their dreams in Guizhou."
Since moving to the mainland in 2005, Huang said the biggest change has been his sense of self-identity which has changed from being a stranger to one with a sense of belonging and unity.
"At the beginning of my years on the mainland, my friends and colleagues were curious about what Taiwan looked like. Now, things have changed so that my friends living in Taiwan are more interested in the development of the mainland," he said. "With the booming development here, its cultural influence has grown deeper, and its soft power has become more influential.
Conclusion
Mr. Huang's experience is not unique; many people, young and old, have gone through similar process. And they have finally decided to move to mainland China by first visiting, studying, and later embarking on a successful career, and eventually happily marrying and settling down there.
Following this model, many of these loners eventually get married in the Mainland and settled down for a business career and take up permanent residence.
These Chinese people I am talking about come from English-speaking countries such as America, Britain, Canada, Southeast Asian nations, and Taiwan region like Mr. Huang who has settled down on the Mainland.
In addition, there are many others who successfully and happily settled down in Hong Kong, Macao (SAR) and Zhuhai.
China's soft power based on economic development has become a mega force, quietly enabling the nation's influence to be felt not just by Chinese but foreign people of different nationalities, even Americans from outlying areas such as Spokane or Oklahoma.
As for Taiwan's reunification with the motherland, the time will come when a tipping point takes place: Hainan Free Trade Port Mega Project provides that magnetic power and moment of truth.
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
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