Description
It's about time to tell you my date with Fiona, a politically active young Taiwanese ! The perfect opportunity to question her about China and Taiwan relationship and police violence. More over, Mary the divorced woman i met on the previous chapter seems wants to meet at my place...
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Transcription
Hello and welcome to this third episode of the Keep Your Wings podcast. I will talk to you about my date with Fiona, a young politically engaged Taiwanese woman. I also move into my new shared apartment and receive an intriguing message from Mary. Do you remember? It's the divorcee I met in the previous chapter. I hope you are comfortably settled. Let's get started. Keep Your Wings Le podcast. Chapter 3: keep a low profile fiona does not deviate from the cliche concerning women she's late not by 10 minutes but by more than an hour i'm already angry before even meeting her the weather is getting cloudier and i really wonder if this idea of trekking to elephant mountain is indeed a good one. Regardless, my basic plan was to lure her with a hike before getting to the heart of the matter and asking her about Sino-Taiwanese relations. Fiona appears in the distance, short-legged, like many Taiwanese women, but cute and smiling. I even managed to forget her lateness. I attempt a hug, but Fiona remains stoic, eyes wide. Indeed, most Taiwanese women are not very tactile and are rather modest. The same goes for their close friends, toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. The same goes for the close friends toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. After lowering my arm along my body, I not only feel ridiculous, but I'm afraid of having offended my date and interlocutor. Nevertheless, I decide to continue the conversation by questioning her with vague phrases. How are you? Where do you live? Do you have brother and sister? Have you ever been here? Fiona is responsive and turns out to be less shy than I thought. We begin climbing the 600 steps before arriving at the top. By chance, Fiona speaks Italian better than I do, which is a shame. She lived in Rome for a year as part of her studies. This language teacher can't help but question me about my knowledge of Chinese. I then try a few sentences but get corrected on every two vowels. Thanks to her, I feel myself progressing as we climb. Once we arrive at the summit, the rain intensifies. And I decide to take out my new umbrella, bought precisely for the occasion. We sit for a few moments on a bench to admire the view before us. The trail is no longer marked but seems to continue. Our shared taste for travel and discovery pushes us to take this new path, without really knowing where it will lead us. The weather conditions slow our progress. The path becomes muddy and the ascent difficult. Mutual assistance and complicity grow between us. I hold out my hand between two particularly slippery rocks. Fiona grabs it and squeeze mine. After extricating ourselves from the forest, after almost two hours of walking, we regain our strength in a local restaurant. The distance that existed between us is crumbling more and more. We discuss our respective lives and the reasons that make us love traveling. Fiona tells me about her friend who lives in China, with whom she sometimes has to avoid certain topics. Finally, in a Starbucks in the city center, I decide to broach a sensitive topic. Do you talk to your friend about the relationship between Taiwan and China? I ask.
That's exactly the topic to avoid.
She laughs.
It would make both of us uncomfortable.
So you never mention this topic, even with your friend?
Absolutely not. Besides, with all the Chinese people I meet, I never bring up the topic. We don't want to argue.
Because they all think Taiwan is just a province of China, I reply. Fiona looks upset. She doesn't answer and takes another sip of bubble tea. After pouting, she finally decides to speak.
If it were up to me, I would tell them that Taiwan is a separate country, but I cannot do that so bluntly.
Are you scared?
I sincerely believe that China might one day use force to take back Taiwan. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm certain that it could happen. I can't guarantee it 100%, but it's still one of my fears.
What do you think about this whole situation?
It's unacceptable. There are always new provocations, like with that infamous treaty. I even protested with friends in March 2014.
What treaty?
It's difficult to explain in English, but you'll learn more by visiting the website that was created for the occasion. Several students and friends occupied the parliament buildings, and I protested in the streets against the KMT's deceitfulness.
What was it? In 2010, a free trade agreement was signed between the government of Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, 2008-2016, and Taiwan. The primary goal of this agreement was a reduction in China's custom tariffs on 536 products. Taiwan, for its part, committed to reducing custom duties on 267 types of products. Subsequently, the agreement provided for several negotiations concerning future, more specific and in-depth agreements. Three years later, in June, the CSSTA, Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, was signed during a congress in Shanghai. This involved opening 64 Taiwanese companies to Chinese investment. An AT Chinese company to Taiwanese investors. Basically, Beijing was being offered a highway within the service sector. Fear quickly grew among Taiwanese youth, who formed the Sunflower Movement. As Le Monde sums up it very well, quoting the Taipei Times, young people can make their dreams come true by opening cafes or workshops and becoming their own bosses by working hard. The issue was Chinese companies, which have access to abundant reserves of capital and are vertically integrated. The fear of being drawn by a Chinese steamroller and helplessly witnessing the failure of their businesses terrify young Taiwanese. Moreover, for many Taiwanese, this was just another attempt to regain control of the 23rd province of China. For several months in this climate of fear, the KMTs refused to negotiate on the exacerbated tensions. On March 18, around 4 a.m., students decided to break into the premises of the parliament in Taipei. Hundreds of them took over the place, displaying banners, flags, and demands. For nearly 24 hours, the students resisted several waves of forced evacuation. Afterwards, multiple protests took place over the following days, in which Fiona participated with her friends, as well as attempts at dialogues which never really came to fruition. Police violence was also denounced by young people, related images on social networks. Photos and videos shocked the population, who quickly rallied to the youth protest. Finally, the last students to leave the parliament resisted until April 10, more than three weeks after their arrival. Fiona seems quite concerned about Taiwan, and I like that. In addition, she suggested that we meet again so that I could progress in Chinese. I suspect this is probably an excuse to ask me for a second date. In the end, the feeling between us is good, and it's the perfect opportunity to learn even more about Taiwan in general. Fiona disappears a few minutes later, she gives private lessons. We both leave with a good impression. A few more days passed before I left my hostel to go to the Zhonghe District, near the Nansetiao metro station. I found an apartment there and I'm moving in with other foreigners. Mike, an English teacher and actor, as well as his girlfriend, who also does the same jobs. We will be joined a few weeks later by Nick, a German-Thai who has mainly lived in Taiwan. The atmosphere is good nature and everyone seems to enjoy the moment shared together. This shared accommodation will also be the scene of many adventures during the two months spent in company. It had barely been three days since I had found my new home when a message from Mary interrupted my Chinese exercise. She wants to visit me in my new place. I immediately understand where she's coming from. I decide to accept, weak man that I am. After meeting her at the metro station, it seems to me that Mary was very fearful. She frequently glances behind her as we walk towards my apartment, like if someone was following her. Mary is disappointed. My room has no curtains, no duvet and is full of mirrors. However, at the end, it didn't bother us to do the trick. After sleeping with her, I suggest we could do this another time, right? But suddenly her attitude changes.
No, it was just once.
She replies. Is there something wrong?
It was very good, but I can't. I have to go back to my brother's place.
Your brother?
Yes, I've been living with him since I got divorced.
In no time, I was walking Mary to the subway station. That was the last time we saw each other. According to one of my friends in Taipei, this attitude could be explained.
If it was my opinion, my guy is bigger still married.
Why would she lie?
Because here adultery is still punishable by law.
I'm shocked. Did Mary lie to me? Is she afraid of the repercussion that this extramarital relationship will cause? In Asia, in 2017 at least, only two countries still treated adultery as a criminal offense, Taiwan and the Philippines. Associations have been stepping up to the plate for several years now. They consider this law retrograde and what is more unfair against women. The Taiwan News newspaper reports a study carried out by a judge between 1999 and 2005. This highlights a higher percentage of women punished by law for adultery than men. For many observers, men, who are the main providers of income, find it easier to sue their wives and have them sentenced to heavy fines of prison. For their part, women with fewer means are forced to give up and remain silent, while some also consider this law retrograde. Others are more in favor of it, just to maintain family unity. However, in 2017, the Minister of Justice believes that there is no room for debate at this level. Yeah, Taiwan is definitely a land full of surprises.
Description
It's about time to tell you my date with Fiona, a politically active young Taiwanese ! The perfect opportunity to question her about China and Taiwan relationship and police violence. More over, Mary the divorced woman i met on the previous chapter seems wants to meet at my place...
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Transcription
Hello and welcome to this third episode of the Keep Your Wings podcast. I will talk to you about my date with Fiona, a young politically engaged Taiwanese woman. I also move into my new shared apartment and receive an intriguing message from Mary. Do you remember? It's the divorcee I met in the previous chapter. I hope you are comfortably settled. Let's get started. Keep Your Wings Le podcast. Chapter 3: keep a low profile fiona does not deviate from the cliche concerning women she's late not by 10 minutes but by more than an hour i'm already angry before even meeting her the weather is getting cloudier and i really wonder if this idea of trekking to elephant mountain is indeed a good one. Regardless, my basic plan was to lure her with a hike before getting to the heart of the matter and asking her about Sino-Taiwanese relations. Fiona appears in the distance, short-legged, like many Taiwanese women, but cute and smiling. I even managed to forget her lateness. I attempt a hug, but Fiona remains stoic, eyes wide. Indeed, most Taiwanese women are not very tactile and are rather modest. The same goes for their close friends, toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. The same goes for the close friends toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. After lowering my arm along my body, I not only feel ridiculous, but I'm afraid of having offended my date and interlocutor. Nevertheless, I decide to continue the conversation by questioning her with vague phrases. How are you? Where do you live? Do you have brother and sister? Have you ever been here? Fiona is responsive and turns out to be less shy than I thought. We begin climbing the 600 steps before arriving at the top. By chance, Fiona speaks Italian better than I do, which is a shame. She lived in Rome for a year as part of her studies. This language teacher can't help but question me about my knowledge of Chinese. I then try a few sentences but get corrected on every two vowels. Thanks to her, I feel myself progressing as we climb. Once we arrive at the summit, the rain intensifies. And I decide to take out my new umbrella, bought precisely for the occasion. We sit for a few moments on a bench to admire the view before us. The trail is no longer marked but seems to continue. Our shared taste for travel and discovery pushes us to take this new path, without really knowing where it will lead us. The weather conditions slow our progress. The path becomes muddy and the ascent difficult. Mutual assistance and complicity grow between us. I hold out my hand between two particularly slippery rocks. Fiona grabs it and squeeze mine. After extricating ourselves from the forest, after almost two hours of walking, we regain our strength in a local restaurant. The distance that existed between us is crumbling more and more. We discuss our respective lives and the reasons that make us love traveling. Fiona tells me about her friend who lives in China, with whom she sometimes has to avoid certain topics. Finally, in a Starbucks in the city center, I decide to broach a sensitive topic. Do you talk to your friend about the relationship between Taiwan and China? I ask.
That's exactly the topic to avoid.
She laughs.
It would make both of us uncomfortable.
So you never mention this topic, even with your friend?
Absolutely not. Besides, with all the Chinese people I meet, I never bring up the topic. We don't want to argue.
Because they all think Taiwan is just a province of China, I reply. Fiona looks upset. She doesn't answer and takes another sip of bubble tea. After pouting, she finally decides to speak.
If it were up to me, I would tell them that Taiwan is a separate country, but I cannot do that so bluntly.
Are you scared?
I sincerely believe that China might one day use force to take back Taiwan. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm certain that it could happen. I can't guarantee it 100%, but it's still one of my fears.
What do you think about this whole situation?
It's unacceptable. There are always new provocations, like with that infamous treaty. I even protested with friends in March 2014.
What treaty?
It's difficult to explain in English, but you'll learn more by visiting the website that was created for the occasion. Several students and friends occupied the parliament buildings, and I protested in the streets against the KMT's deceitfulness.
What was it? In 2010, a free trade agreement was signed between the government of Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, 2008-2016, and Taiwan. The primary goal of this agreement was a reduction in China's custom tariffs on 536 products. Taiwan, for its part, committed to reducing custom duties on 267 types of products. Subsequently, the agreement provided for several negotiations concerning future, more specific and in-depth agreements. Three years later, in June, the CSSTA, Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, was signed during a congress in Shanghai. This involved opening 64 Taiwanese companies to Chinese investment. An AT Chinese company to Taiwanese investors. Basically, Beijing was being offered a highway within the service sector. Fear quickly grew among Taiwanese youth, who formed the Sunflower Movement. As Le Monde sums up it very well, quoting the Taipei Times, young people can make their dreams come true by opening cafes or workshops and becoming their own bosses by working hard. The issue was Chinese companies, which have access to abundant reserves of capital and are vertically integrated. The fear of being drawn by a Chinese steamroller and helplessly witnessing the failure of their businesses terrify young Taiwanese. Moreover, for many Taiwanese, this was just another attempt to regain control of the 23rd province of China. For several months in this climate of fear, the KMTs refused to negotiate on the exacerbated tensions. On March 18, around 4 a.m., students decided to break into the premises of the parliament in Taipei. Hundreds of them took over the place, displaying banners, flags, and demands. For nearly 24 hours, the students resisted several waves of forced evacuation. Afterwards, multiple protests took place over the following days, in which Fiona participated with her friends, as well as attempts at dialogues which never really came to fruition. Police violence was also denounced by young people, related images on social networks. Photos and videos shocked the population, who quickly rallied to the youth protest. Finally, the last students to leave the parliament resisted until April 10, more than three weeks after their arrival. Fiona seems quite concerned about Taiwan, and I like that. In addition, she suggested that we meet again so that I could progress in Chinese. I suspect this is probably an excuse to ask me for a second date. In the end, the feeling between us is good, and it's the perfect opportunity to learn even more about Taiwan in general. Fiona disappears a few minutes later, she gives private lessons. We both leave with a good impression. A few more days passed before I left my hostel to go to the Zhonghe District, near the Nansetiao metro station. I found an apartment there and I'm moving in with other foreigners. Mike, an English teacher and actor, as well as his girlfriend, who also does the same jobs. We will be joined a few weeks later by Nick, a German-Thai who has mainly lived in Taiwan. The atmosphere is good nature and everyone seems to enjoy the moment shared together. This shared accommodation will also be the scene of many adventures during the two months spent in company. It had barely been three days since I had found my new home when a message from Mary interrupted my Chinese exercise. She wants to visit me in my new place. I immediately understand where she's coming from. I decide to accept, weak man that I am. After meeting her at the metro station, it seems to me that Mary was very fearful. She frequently glances behind her as we walk towards my apartment, like if someone was following her. Mary is disappointed. My room has no curtains, no duvet and is full of mirrors. However, at the end, it didn't bother us to do the trick. After sleeping with her, I suggest we could do this another time, right? But suddenly her attitude changes.
No, it was just once.
She replies. Is there something wrong?
It was very good, but I can't. I have to go back to my brother's place.
Your brother?
Yes, I've been living with him since I got divorced.
In no time, I was walking Mary to the subway station. That was the last time we saw each other. According to one of my friends in Taipei, this attitude could be explained.
If it was my opinion, my guy is bigger still married.
Why would she lie?
Because here adultery is still punishable by law.
I'm shocked. Did Mary lie to me? Is she afraid of the repercussion that this extramarital relationship will cause? In Asia, in 2017 at least, only two countries still treated adultery as a criminal offense, Taiwan and the Philippines. Associations have been stepping up to the plate for several years now. They consider this law retrograde and what is more unfair against women. The Taiwan News newspaper reports a study carried out by a judge between 1999 and 2005. This highlights a higher percentage of women punished by law for adultery than men. For many observers, men, who are the main providers of income, find it easier to sue their wives and have them sentenced to heavy fines of prison. For their part, women with fewer means are forced to give up and remain silent, while some also consider this law retrograde. Others are more in favor of it, just to maintain family unity. However, in 2017, the Minister of Justice believes that there is no room for debate at this level. Yeah, Taiwan is definitely a land full of surprises.
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Description
It's about time to tell you my date with Fiona, a politically active young Taiwanese ! The perfect opportunity to question her about China and Taiwan relationship and police violence. More over, Mary the divorced woman i met on the previous chapter seems wants to meet at my place...
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Transcription
Hello and welcome to this third episode of the Keep Your Wings podcast. I will talk to you about my date with Fiona, a young politically engaged Taiwanese woman. I also move into my new shared apartment and receive an intriguing message from Mary. Do you remember? It's the divorcee I met in the previous chapter. I hope you are comfortably settled. Let's get started. Keep Your Wings Le podcast. Chapter 3: keep a low profile fiona does not deviate from the cliche concerning women she's late not by 10 minutes but by more than an hour i'm already angry before even meeting her the weather is getting cloudier and i really wonder if this idea of trekking to elephant mountain is indeed a good one. Regardless, my basic plan was to lure her with a hike before getting to the heart of the matter and asking her about Sino-Taiwanese relations. Fiona appears in the distance, short-legged, like many Taiwanese women, but cute and smiling. I even managed to forget her lateness. I attempt a hug, but Fiona remains stoic, eyes wide. Indeed, most Taiwanese women are not very tactile and are rather modest. The same goes for their close friends, toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. The same goes for the close friends toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. After lowering my arm along my body, I not only feel ridiculous, but I'm afraid of having offended my date and interlocutor. Nevertheless, I decide to continue the conversation by questioning her with vague phrases. How are you? Where do you live? Do you have brother and sister? Have you ever been here? Fiona is responsive and turns out to be less shy than I thought. We begin climbing the 600 steps before arriving at the top. By chance, Fiona speaks Italian better than I do, which is a shame. She lived in Rome for a year as part of her studies. This language teacher can't help but question me about my knowledge of Chinese. I then try a few sentences but get corrected on every two vowels. Thanks to her, I feel myself progressing as we climb. Once we arrive at the summit, the rain intensifies. And I decide to take out my new umbrella, bought precisely for the occasion. We sit for a few moments on a bench to admire the view before us. The trail is no longer marked but seems to continue. Our shared taste for travel and discovery pushes us to take this new path, without really knowing where it will lead us. The weather conditions slow our progress. The path becomes muddy and the ascent difficult. Mutual assistance and complicity grow between us. I hold out my hand between two particularly slippery rocks. Fiona grabs it and squeeze mine. After extricating ourselves from the forest, after almost two hours of walking, we regain our strength in a local restaurant. The distance that existed between us is crumbling more and more. We discuss our respective lives and the reasons that make us love traveling. Fiona tells me about her friend who lives in China, with whom she sometimes has to avoid certain topics. Finally, in a Starbucks in the city center, I decide to broach a sensitive topic. Do you talk to your friend about the relationship between Taiwan and China? I ask.
That's exactly the topic to avoid.
She laughs.
It would make both of us uncomfortable.
So you never mention this topic, even with your friend?
Absolutely not. Besides, with all the Chinese people I meet, I never bring up the topic. We don't want to argue.
Because they all think Taiwan is just a province of China, I reply. Fiona looks upset. She doesn't answer and takes another sip of bubble tea. After pouting, she finally decides to speak.
If it were up to me, I would tell them that Taiwan is a separate country, but I cannot do that so bluntly.
Are you scared?
I sincerely believe that China might one day use force to take back Taiwan. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm certain that it could happen. I can't guarantee it 100%, but it's still one of my fears.
What do you think about this whole situation?
It's unacceptable. There are always new provocations, like with that infamous treaty. I even protested with friends in March 2014.
What treaty?
It's difficult to explain in English, but you'll learn more by visiting the website that was created for the occasion. Several students and friends occupied the parliament buildings, and I protested in the streets against the KMT's deceitfulness.
What was it? In 2010, a free trade agreement was signed between the government of Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, 2008-2016, and Taiwan. The primary goal of this agreement was a reduction in China's custom tariffs on 536 products. Taiwan, for its part, committed to reducing custom duties on 267 types of products. Subsequently, the agreement provided for several negotiations concerning future, more specific and in-depth agreements. Three years later, in June, the CSSTA, Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, was signed during a congress in Shanghai. This involved opening 64 Taiwanese companies to Chinese investment. An AT Chinese company to Taiwanese investors. Basically, Beijing was being offered a highway within the service sector. Fear quickly grew among Taiwanese youth, who formed the Sunflower Movement. As Le Monde sums up it very well, quoting the Taipei Times, young people can make their dreams come true by opening cafes or workshops and becoming their own bosses by working hard. The issue was Chinese companies, which have access to abundant reserves of capital and are vertically integrated. The fear of being drawn by a Chinese steamroller and helplessly witnessing the failure of their businesses terrify young Taiwanese. Moreover, for many Taiwanese, this was just another attempt to regain control of the 23rd province of China. For several months in this climate of fear, the KMTs refused to negotiate on the exacerbated tensions. On March 18, around 4 a.m., students decided to break into the premises of the parliament in Taipei. Hundreds of them took over the place, displaying banners, flags, and demands. For nearly 24 hours, the students resisted several waves of forced evacuation. Afterwards, multiple protests took place over the following days, in which Fiona participated with her friends, as well as attempts at dialogues which never really came to fruition. Police violence was also denounced by young people, related images on social networks. Photos and videos shocked the population, who quickly rallied to the youth protest. Finally, the last students to leave the parliament resisted until April 10, more than three weeks after their arrival. Fiona seems quite concerned about Taiwan, and I like that. In addition, she suggested that we meet again so that I could progress in Chinese. I suspect this is probably an excuse to ask me for a second date. In the end, the feeling between us is good, and it's the perfect opportunity to learn even more about Taiwan in general. Fiona disappears a few minutes later, she gives private lessons. We both leave with a good impression. A few more days passed before I left my hostel to go to the Zhonghe District, near the Nansetiao metro station. I found an apartment there and I'm moving in with other foreigners. Mike, an English teacher and actor, as well as his girlfriend, who also does the same jobs. We will be joined a few weeks later by Nick, a German-Thai who has mainly lived in Taiwan. The atmosphere is good nature and everyone seems to enjoy the moment shared together. This shared accommodation will also be the scene of many adventures during the two months spent in company. It had barely been three days since I had found my new home when a message from Mary interrupted my Chinese exercise. She wants to visit me in my new place. I immediately understand where she's coming from. I decide to accept, weak man that I am. After meeting her at the metro station, it seems to me that Mary was very fearful. She frequently glances behind her as we walk towards my apartment, like if someone was following her. Mary is disappointed. My room has no curtains, no duvet and is full of mirrors. However, at the end, it didn't bother us to do the trick. After sleeping with her, I suggest we could do this another time, right? But suddenly her attitude changes.
No, it was just once.
She replies. Is there something wrong?
It was very good, but I can't. I have to go back to my brother's place.
Your brother?
Yes, I've been living with him since I got divorced.
In no time, I was walking Mary to the subway station. That was the last time we saw each other. According to one of my friends in Taipei, this attitude could be explained.
If it was my opinion, my guy is bigger still married.
Why would she lie?
Because here adultery is still punishable by law.
I'm shocked. Did Mary lie to me? Is she afraid of the repercussion that this extramarital relationship will cause? In Asia, in 2017 at least, only two countries still treated adultery as a criminal offense, Taiwan and the Philippines. Associations have been stepping up to the plate for several years now. They consider this law retrograde and what is more unfair against women. The Taiwan News newspaper reports a study carried out by a judge between 1999 and 2005. This highlights a higher percentage of women punished by law for adultery than men. For many observers, men, who are the main providers of income, find it easier to sue their wives and have them sentenced to heavy fines of prison. For their part, women with fewer means are forced to give up and remain silent, while some also consider this law retrograde. Others are more in favor of it, just to maintain family unity. However, in 2017, the Minister of Justice believes that there is no room for debate at this level. Yeah, Taiwan is definitely a land full of surprises.
Description
It's about time to tell you my date with Fiona, a politically active young Taiwanese ! The perfect opportunity to question her about China and Taiwan relationship and police violence. More over, Mary the divorced woman i met on the previous chapter seems wants to meet at my place...
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Transcription
Hello and welcome to this third episode of the Keep Your Wings podcast. I will talk to you about my date with Fiona, a young politically engaged Taiwanese woman. I also move into my new shared apartment and receive an intriguing message from Mary. Do you remember? It's the divorcee I met in the previous chapter. I hope you are comfortably settled. Let's get started. Keep Your Wings Le podcast. Chapter 3: keep a low profile fiona does not deviate from the cliche concerning women she's late not by 10 minutes but by more than an hour i'm already angry before even meeting her the weather is getting cloudier and i really wonder if this idea of trekking to elephant mountain is indeed a good one. Regardless, my basic plan was to lure her with a hike before getting to the heart of the matter and asking her about Sino-Taiwanese relations. Fiona appears in the distance, short-legged, like many Taiwanese women, but cute and smiling. I even managed to forget her lateness. I attempt a hug, but Fiona remains stoic, eyes wide. Indeed, most Taiwanese women are not very tactile and are rather modest. The same goes for their close friends, toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. The same goes for the close friends toward whom they do not show strong signs of affection. A simple wave of the hand is enough to greet each other and say goodbye. After lowering my arm along my body, I not only feel ridiculous, but I'm afraid of having offended my date and interlocutor. Nevertheless, I decide to continue the conversation by questioning her with vague phrases. How are you? Where do you live? Do you have brother and sister? Have you ever been here? Fiona is responsive and turns out to be less shy than I thought. We begin climbing the 600 steps before arriving at the top. By chance, Fiona speaks Italian better than I do, which is a shame. She lived in Rome for a year as part of her studies. This language teacher can't help but question me about my knowledge of Chinese. I then try a few sentences but get corrected on every two vowels. Thanks to her, I feel myself progressing as we climb. Once we arrive at the summit, the rain intensifies. And I decide to take out my new umbrella, bought precisely for the occasion. We sit for a few moments on a bench to admire the view before us. The trail is no longer marked but seems to continue. Our shared taste for travel and discovery pushes us to take this new path, without really knowing where it will lead us. The weather conditions slow our progress. The path becomes muddy and the ascent difficult. Mutual assistance and complicity grow between us. I hold out my hand between two particularly slippery rocks. Fiona grabs it and squeeze mine. After extricating ourselves from the forest, after almost two hours of walking, we regain our strength in a local restaurant. The distance that existed between us is crumbling more and more. We discuss our respective lives and the reasons that make us love traveling. Fiona tells me about her friend who lives in China, with whom she sometimes has to avoid certain topics. Finally, in a Starbucks in the city center, I decide to broach a sensitive topic. Do you talk to your friend about the relationship between Taiwan and China? I ask.
That's exactly the topic to avoid.
She laughs.
It would make both of us uncomfortable.
So you never mention this topic, even with your friend?
Absolutely not. Besides, with all the Chinese people I meet, I never bring up the topic. We don't want to argue.
Because they all think Taiwan is just a province of China, I reply. Fiona looks upset. She doesn't answer and takes another sip of bubble tea. After pouting, she finally decides to speak.
If it were up to me, I would tell them that Taiwan is a separate country, but I cannot do that so bluntly.
Are you scared?
I sincerely believe that China might one day use force to take back Taiwan. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm certain that it could happen. I can't guarantee it 100%, but it's still one of my fears.
What do you think about this whole situation?
It's unacceptable. There are always new provocations, like with that infamous treaty. I even protested with friends in March 2014.
What treaty?
It's difficult to explain in English, but you'll learn more by visiting the website that was created for the occasion. Several students and friends occupied the parliament buildings, and I protested in the streets against the KMT's deceitfulness.
What was it? In 2010, a free trade agreement was signed between the government of Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, 2008-2016, and Taiwan. The primary goal of this agreement was a reduction in China's custom tariffs on 536 products. Taiwan, for its part, committed to reducing custom duties on 267 types of products. Subsequently, the agreement provided for several negotiations concerning future, more specific and in-depth agreements. Three years later, in June, the CSSTA, Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, was signed during a congress in Shanghai. This involved opening 64 Taiwanese companies to Chinese investment. An AT Chinese company to Taiwanese investors. Basically, Beijing was being offered a highway within the service sector. Fear quickly grew among Taiwanese youth, who formed the Sunflower Movement. As Le Monde sums up it very well, quoting the Taipei Times, young people can make their dreams come true by opening cafes or workshops and becoming their own bosses by working hard. The issue was Chinese companies, which have access to abundant reserves of capital and are vertically integrated. The fear of being drawn by a Chinese steamroller and helplessly witnessing the failure of their businesses terrify young Taiwanese. Moreover, for many Taiwanese, this was just another attempt to regain control of the 23rd province of China. For several months in this climate of fear, the KMTs refused to negotiate on the exacerbated tensions. On March 18, around 4 a.m., students decided to break into the premises of the parliament in Taipei. Hundreds of them took over the place, displaying banners, flags, and demands. For nearly 24 hours, the students resisted several waves of forced evacuation. Afterwards, multiple protests took place over the following days, in which Fiona participated with her friends, as well as attempts at dialogues which never really came to fruition. Police violence was also denounced by young people, related images on social networks. Photos and videos shocked the population, who quickly rallied to the youth protest. Finally, the last students to leave the parliament resisted until April 10, more than three weeks after their arrival. Fiona seems quite concerned about Taiwan, and I like that. In addition, she suggested that we meet again so that I could progress in Chinese. I suspect this is probably an excuse to ask me for a second date. In the end, the feeling between us is good, and it's the perfect opportunity to learn even more about Taiwan in general. Fiona disappears a few minutes later, she gives private lessons. We both leave with a good impression. A few more days passed before I left my hostel to go to the Zhonghe District, near the Nansetiao metro station. I found an apartment there and I'm moving in with other foreigners. Mike, an English teacher and actor, as well as his girlfriend, who also does the same jobs. We will be joined a few weeks later by Nick, a German-Thai who has mainly lived in Taiwan. The atmosphere is good nature and everyone seems to enjoy the moment shared together. This shared accommodation will also be the scene of many adventures during the two months spent in company. It had barely been three days since I had found my new home when a message from Mary interrupted my Chinese exercise. She wants to visit me in my new place. I immediately understand where she's coming from. I decide to accept, weak man that I am. After meeting her at the metro station, it seems to me that Mary was very fearful. She frequently glances behind her as we walk towards my apartment, like if someone was following her. Mary is disappointed. My room has no curtains, no duvet and is full of mirrors. However, at the end, it didn't bother us to do the trick. After sleeping with her, I suggest we could do this another time, right? But suddenly her attitude changes.
No, it was just once.
She replies. Is there something wrong?
It was very good, but I can't. I have to go back to my brother's place.
Your brother?
Yes, I've been living with him since I got divorced.
In no time, I was walking Mary to the subway station. That was the last time we saw each other. According to one of my friends in Taipei, this attitude could be explained.
If it was my opinion, my guy is bigger still married.
Why would she lie?
Because here adultery is still punishable by law.
I'm shocked. Did Mary lie to me? Is she afraid of the repercussion that this extramarital relationship will cause? In Asia, in 2017 at least, only two countries still treated adultery as a criminal offense, Taiwan and the Philippines. Associations have been stepping up to the plate for several years now. They consider this law retrograde and what is more unfair against women. The Taiwan News newspaper reports a study carried out by a judge between 1999 and 2005. This highlights a higher percentage of women punished by law for adultery than men. For many observers, men, who are the main providers of income, find it easier to sue their wives and have them sentenced to heavy fines of prison. For their part, women with fewer means are forced to give up and remain silent, while some also consider this law retrograde. Others are more in favor of it, just to maintain family unity. However, in 2017, the Minister of Justice believes that there is no room for debate at this level. Yeah, Taiwan is definitely a land full of surprises.
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