May 20 2008
Taiwan is on the wane?
Some speculate that China has granted few delegates Japan and Taiwan to the earthquake area is rescue diplomacy, in light of disastrous Tibet affair in March. (Someone circulates this:
Jan 25 snow Storm, 1+2+5=8;
March 14 Tibet riot, 3+1+4=8 and
May 12 earthquake, 5+1+2=8 —> 08.08.08 Olympic - coincidence? Hope all is well with the summer game!)
Tzu Chi fm Taiwan is among few. This got a sizable reportage in the media. It has chapters in China, so I am not sure it needs a permit. The other day as I was riding home from tennis with George who heads the northeast chapter told me that the Tzu Chi clinic I saw in Beijing wasn’t theirs. Someone took the name, registered and there isn’t much they could do. They tried to persuade the clinic to take down the sign but was refused.
Taiwan has an unprecedent priority in China, over the rest of the world. They enjoy (past tense or still present?) the best trading terms than anyone, domestic or foreign. This Tzu Chi name thing is more from the law becomes increasingly commonly applied or Taiwan’s special status is on the wane?
One of Jiujiu’s teacher friend who became a successful entrepreneur told me a pungent story over a delicate seafood lunch in Beijing. When Deng Xiaoping first opened the south, the SEZ in the early 80s, one of the Taiwanese from the herd came calling. The friend didn’t elaborate as he’s too greed or too naive, but ended up bought a piece of useless land, and eventually took his case to Beijing, claiming that he lost all his savings.
The mandarin in Beijing asked him how much does he still possess.
“50,000.” I forgot to ask it’s USD or RMB.
The mandarin listed few options within his seeding range. He chose a beef noodle shop in Xidan. In a seismic manner, he not only made back his paltry capital, but had hefty profit continuously on annual basis. When Xidan area gone renovation after few years, his little shop was among to be demolished. So he sued again.
The friend didn’t elabrate on the lease, if there was one. This time, the official tried to remedy the situation, when that failed, the Taiwanese got a tax bill worth larger part of his profits over the years which was amount to serval millions and a possible jail term for failing to pay taxes.
Passion started out by a group of Taiwanese, but they couldn’t survive the climate of the capital .. It’s very interesting to see how Taiwanese special status fare in the future. I’d bet is going down hill since China is on the rise. .. I haven’t touch a piece of meat in two meals, now I’m hungry for a medium rare steak!