Taiwan Vacations

As part of the expanding outreach efforts to China, the government of Taiwan (Republic of China) is in talks with the Chinese government regarding a bridge that would link Kinmen Island. Currently, the Island is considered part of Taiwan but is located just off the shore from Xiamen, a Chinese City with links to the Island. Chinese President Ma expressed support for the idea and it appears to be moving forward through the government.

While informal and diplomatic ties have grown stronger between the two nations, this would mark one of the most direct linkages yet between their geography. The increasing number of flights and cultural exchanges has yet to be marked with direct geographical exchange, although the Kinmen Bridge may represent a watershed in Chinese geopolitical progress. Kinmen Island represents a flash point in regional millitary history, as it remained one of the closest remnants of the Chinese Islands that remained under control of the KMT.

As part of thawing relations between the two countries, Taiwan and China have increased travel across the Straights. A growing number of flights have taken mainland passengers to the Island, including daily flights from a growing number of provinces. This year’s Chinese New Year brought over 10,000 visitors to the Island, and marked a new high in exchange travel in recent years.

During the celebrations an official delegation from China’s Travel Bureau visited the island. The diplomatic interactions mark a new high point in cultural exchange in recent years. The Bureau also opened up travel across the Straights for 17 additional provinces, drawing thousands of tourists and travelers eager to visit friends, family and sites on the Island.

Additional signs of warming relations include the exchange of Chinese Imperial art between museums across the Straits. According to reports, the head of Taiwan’s National Museum will visit Beijing for talks about lending pieces to mainland Museums. Many of China’s most ancient art pieces are held in Taiwan and the exchange would allow the highest level of art exchange since the 1949 Civil War that cut off formal ties between the two arts communities. At the same time, commerce is continuing to flow between the countries, with postal service and communications now flowing freely across the Straits.

Celebrating cultural and national events is a core part of the rhythms of life in Taiwan. With a culture that borrows native as well as Chinese elements, Holidays in Taiwan begin with Founding Day, which marks the origin of the Republic of China (Taiwan’s foundation name) on the 1st of January in 1912. The revolution that created the Island’s national identity plays a crucial role in its cultural and political life, although recent liberalizations have opened up Taiwan to a larger world of influences.

In February, the citizens of the Island remember the 228 incident when the KMT (Kuomintang) government suppressed riots against the government. After joint governance with Japan, the United Nations accorded control to the KMT. Years later, the government recognized the incident with several memorials and a Peace Memorial Day which aims to remember the series of events that shaped early governance in Taiwan. Every February 28, Memorials are held throughout the island.

On March 12, the Island remembers the passing of Sun Yat-sen, one of the political founders of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang. A primary figure in Taiwanese political history, he developed a national sovereign philosophy known as the Principles of the People, which influences domestic and foreign policies to this day. On November 12, Cultural Renaissance day celebrates his birthday as a turning point in cultural history.

Owing to the military history, the Island commemorates its military with Armed Forces day on September 3, and then honors the cultural influences on Confucius on Teacher’s Day on September 28. On October 25, the Island celebrates its independence from Japan on Taiwan Retrocession Day, which is a time to celebrate independence and celebrate its democratic freedoms. The December 25 Constitution Day marks the birth of the modern democracy.

This week, locals and foreign dignitaries celebrated the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival with a pledge to world peace. Various gatherings throughout the country were meant to foster cultural exchange at all levels. A major gathering at Tai Ji Men Qigong, a leading University, hosted regional ambassadors and scholars in an exchange. With guests from throughout Europe, Africa and Asia, the event showed the global reach of Taiwan’s community.

As part of the celebration, the tradition of floating lanterns came to bear as thousands of lanterns lit up the sky. According to local legend, the lanterns would deliver wishes to heaven, which would help foster luck and well wishes to those who participate in the festival. A byproduct of the Fujian Province in Japan, the event has become a core part of Taipei identity, drawing nearly every member of the community into its celebration. One of the largest festivals in the world, the event is followed on a global basis, from China to Europe.

Each of the lanterns represents a different personal aspiration, ranging from good health to success in various parts of life. The festival has also come to be a family tradition, representing the kindling of new generations and success to young families in their quest. With a theme of world enlightenment this year, the Festival comes at a crucial juncture for international policy, on both economic and cultural fronts.

The close ties between the US and Taiwan are shifting on an indirect linkage to China. While the US was once seen as a protector of Taiwan against an increasingly aggressive foreign policy of China, the island nation is re-assessing its relationship with the mainland. The shift in diplomacy is related to the recognition that China is rapidly becoming the dominant economic and military power in Asia, along with India, and has expanded its capabilities beyond that of the democratic Island off its shores. While the potential for conflict still remains, travelers will find a much more open, liberalized China policy in Taiwan, where mainland travelers now come and go with relative ease.

Secretary of State Clinton has begun to open up relations with China to evaluate economic, military and cultural interactions between the two countries. While military leaders stress that the US must be able to protect Taiwan, the threat of conflict is much lower than it has been in recent years. With the growing economic ties between the countries, talks have largely focused on establishing a cultural and economic equilibrium in trade that will be mutually beneficial. In this context, Taiwan represents a political more than a military question, and travelers should feel safe on the Island.

While the US still supports the island with military technology, Defense Secretary Gates has opened up a strategic dialogue with China to ward off any potential conflicts. The US still maintains an active presence in the region, including the USS Washington, a nuclear-capable carrier with over 60 aircraft, as well as strong ties to neighboring Japan and India.