Donald Ho, a 73-year-old retired teacher, is feeling a bit worried as he strolls through a park in Taipei because of the major military maneuvers being conducted by Chinese warships and aircraft around Taiwan. Ho laments that China only sees Taiwan as a province and not as an independent country. China considers the island of Taiwan as one of its provinces, which it has not yet managed to reunify with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.
Chinese authorities have launched a “total encirclement” military operation of the island in response to the meeting between the Taiwanese president and the leader of the US House of Representatives this week in California. According to Chinese state television, this operation is the most significant military action around Taiwan since the 2022 visit by Nancy Pelosi, the predecessor of the House leader.
Ho warns that if there is war, both sides will suffer greatly, as in Ukraine. However, in Daan Park, other Taiwanese exercise and practice tai chi without much concern about the Chinese military presence near the island.
Some people contacted in the park have expressed their opposition to Chinese power but also their closeness to the mainland people. Although they go about their routines, these Taiwanese are aware of the freedom they enjoy and the importance of freedom in a country.
Jasper Lee, a 75-year-old retired businessman, says that in China “they have their heads locked” and believe that Taiwan belongs to them. Nathan Green, a 16-year-old student of Australian and Taiwanese nationality, wants a free government, while his friend, Wison Su, of the same age, wants to join the army when he finishes school out of patriotism. John Shih, a 57-year-old teacher, feels safe in Taiwan and does not believe China will attack. He considers Taiwan and China to be like brothers, but if Taiwan is bombed, the relationship will be broken forever.