Reflection

     Professor Liang always emphasizes the importance of our motivation in writing our papers. What we care about will determine how deep and broad our papers could be. The topic I chose, Should Taiwan be an Independent Country, is related to the future job that I want to do, a diplomat. During the teacher-student conference, Professor Liang asked why I want to be a diplomat. It was hard for me to answer. I have had this thought (to be a diplomat) since I was a freshman when I sometimes worried what I could do after graduation. The concrete reason was even beyond my knowledge, but I could vaguely tell that first, I like to go abroad to have life experience in different countries, and being diplomat offers me this opportunity. Second, diplomat is a public official so the pay and treatment were good, a reason which is quite utilitarian.

     After I decided to be a diplomat, I have grown more and more interest in politics, and I care about Taiwan’s international relation and Taiwan’s relation with China. Since my father works in China now, Professor Liang suggested that I could interview my father about his experience in China and his opinions. However, I couldn’t figure out any way that I could communicate with him securely, and my father won’t come back until Chinese New Year, so I gave up this idea. Instead, I would like to design a questionnaire about whether they support Taiwan’s independence and their reasons for my peers to answer. The questionnaire will include questions such as, “Do you support that Taiwan becomes an independent country through referendum?” “Do you feel any hostility against Chinese?” “Do you recognize that Taiwan and China are the same in the aspect of ethnicity and culture?” “Do you recognize with ROC this government?” Some questions may simply ask them to answer yes or no and to write their reasons briefly. Some questions may ask their opinions.

     Ever since Sunflower Movement in March this year, more and more people in my generation started to be concerned with Taiwan’s politics, and I think it’s a good phenomenon. Many comments that I received from my peers asked me to relate my essays to Sunflower Movement and Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong, which are both animated by almost the younger generations. After the result of Local Elections on November 29^th was revealed, we could see that the younger generation and the internet had brought their influence into full play. KMT lost the election in most of the counties, even the counties which have always been considered as having most KMT’s loyal supporters. BBC News reported that “Taiwan's local election, widely been seen as a referendum on relations with China.” KMT’s failure could be approximately viewed as Taiwan’s rejection to China.

     In my later annotations, I would discuss what crisis we might confront if Taiwan wants to be independent and what strategies we could take. China has become more powerful and influential in the international society, and it would be difficult for Taiwan to look for international support. Taiwan’s future is still full of uncertainty. In my final paper, I would include in those missing information of Taiwan’s background (Japan’s ruling, foundation of DPP and social movements).