How do the Taiwanese Defend their Democracy? - Taiwan Undaunted Ep3
In 2014, the Sunflower Movement demonstrated the courage of the Taiwanese people. A new generation that came of age in Taiwan’s era of democratization occupied the Legislature on March 18, 2014, for 23 days in protest against trade deals with China proposed by former President Ma Ying-jeou. The spontaneous movement, named after the flowers brandished by the participants, created a new commitment to protecting democracy and the Taiwanese way of life. The whole of civil society was energized in the wake of the protests. But while the movement changed Taiwanese history, it didn’t go as far as to redefine the political system. A strong dedication to protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty and promoting national defense remains among the people. However, leading voices from the Sunflower Movement have been unable to channel the energy of that period into a sustainable political party, and the power of that movement has somewhat dispersed. Nonetheless, in 2019, when two million Hongkongers took to the streets speaking out against the new National Security Law, “Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow Taiwan” became a rallying call that helped swing Taiwanese elections in favor of President Tsai Ying-wen and the Democratic Progressive Party. Some in Taiwan suggest that tensions in the diplomatic, trade and cognitive spheres have already been escalating for a long time, but in whichever sphere and in whatever form, the question is, is Taiwan truly prepared for a future conflict?
