my family are Taiwanese-Americans. I was born in the US, but I grew up in a Taiwanese/Chinese household. I write both Taiwanese and Chinese because my grandparents were Chinese nationalists (KMT) who fought and lost to the communists and left China with Chiang Kaishek when he retreated to Taiwan. We’re from Guangdong.
Even though my grandparents spent most of their adult life in Taiwan and America, they still identify as Chinese. They still vote for the KMT and consider Taiwan a part of a democratic China, not the PRC but the ROC.
I don’t identify with an authoritarian China that suppresses freedom of speech, press and religion, commits cultural genocide against the Uyghurs, dilutes Tibetan culture and wants to annex democratic Taiwan. I wouldn’t like living in a country like that.
But that’s exactly what an uncle proposed me: some months ago he bought a house in Guangdong, a house he offers to our whole family. If I want, he says, I can live with him for free, he’s even offering me to let me live at his condo when he’s not in China (travels to America and Taiwan a lot).
I don’t see it: I’m politically active, actually support Taiwanese independence and I don’t believe I could keep my mouth shut if a Chinese starts telling me that Taiwan is a part of China every time I tell them I an actually Taiwanese. The conversation could go south really fast if they start to repeat communist propaganda about helping Uyghurs escape poverty (just an example out of several). I could land in jail.
My uncle says I should forget about politics and enjoy the scenery and local food. I still don’t see it.
Am I a moron? I’d only have to pay for the flight and food for as long as I live in China, a country cheaper than both Taiwan and the US
as long as I live in China
Just something to consider: Are you sure they’ll let you leave?
He can go but just don’t buy the return ticket.
The judicial system can fuck people up even in Democratic countries. Rolling the dice in dictatorships?
Fuck no!
… Are you sure it will only be four weeks? Sounds to me like your grandparents really want you to just stay there forever. Since traveling & living long-term (say a year or more) will be very different especially if I’m politically active
I did just go back to China for two months and was fine; lived in Beijing too so there’s that (I think ppl in the South are less… monitored). China is huge… so if someone just minds their own business the authoritarian government (and probably 99% of the population) basically just leaves them alone. But then I also am not very social & most of my family circle are neutral-/anti-China so… If for any reason I offend the government or anyone affiliated who reports me, then I’d probably be done for, and I’m afraid it is bound to happen if I stay there for too long
So yeah, I dunno but I would never stay in China long-term if I were you. Traveling is fine but I really don’t know how to make of your aituation
As a Chinese-American, I would never step foot in mainland China ever again, not for as long as the CCP is still in power. (Profile pic is used in protest, I’m was born in mainland China, not Taiwan)
I mean, there is one really narrow circumstances where I might. If I get denaturalized from US Citizenship and deported, then I try political asylum in Canada, Australia, maybe some EU countries, then maybe I’d try Taiwan, and Singapore is also kinda an option (Canada, Australia, Singapore, are countries that have a high level of ethnic Chinese population, which is why there are my first go-to locations, its easier to fit in), if all these options are exhausted, and I have a rich relative in mainland China, then maybe I’d consider going there as long as I can get a VPN. I mean I’d have to shut my mouth about all the things I hate about the CCP, but if I have a VPN connection and my hosts aren’t too hostile, I can probably make that work.
But if I can’t access western media, I’d just be too depressed to continue. Like all the TV shows that might not be accessible in mainland China. (I really dislike the tv dramas in mainland China, like its not even a political thing, it’s just soooo boring, especially the majority of media is either romance or WW2 resistance against japan, I can’t stand it)
TLDR: If I run out of options and I can get a VPN and the people I’m living with is not too hostile, I might consider it, but otherwise, nope.
Also to add:
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The instance you are currently using (lemmy.ml) are operated by people who support PRC and Russia (colloquially known as “tankies”), you might wanna reconsider using a different instance considering your political opinions. (Also avoid hexbear.net and lemmygrad.ml, everything else should be fine)
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As you said, you are Taiwanese American, so I’m assuming you’re currently living in the US? The US is currently having political issues with regards to the xenophobia. I’d highly recommend you to Do Not Cross a US border (neither entry nor exit) until this administration is no longer in power. Either stay within the US for these 4 years, or if things deteriorate further and you decide to move away from the US (exit is usually much easier than entry, since they usually do not check citizenship when leaving), plan to stay away for at least 4 years (or longer, depending on 2028 election results). You don’t wanna risk getting detained re-entering the US and this racist ass administration denying your citizenship. I personally am just gonna stay in the US, was planning on visiting Canada, but then this administration happened.
You don’t wanna risk getting detained re-entering the US and this racist ass administration denying your citizenship.
Since OP stated they are a natural-born US citizen, this scenario would be a significant escalation towards authoritarianism if it does happen.
Even doing this to a naturalized citizen would be an escalation.
Right now, most “border surprise” cases involve green card holders, not citizens, who have old criminal charges that rendered them deportable a long time ago. Just no previous federal government has cared enough to go find them and put them into removal proceedings.
Ah yeah… maybe that’s just my anxiety/paranoia kicking in, but do remember to pay attention to the news and assess the situation for yourselves.
But even just a 48 hour detainment (which would probably happen very often under this admin, especially later on in these 4 years) is a very shitty experience that no one should have to deal with, that along with potentially belonging being seized and/or malware being planted on your devices. Even just getting detained is too much hassle to be worth travelling IMO, I mean unless you can find some country (like an actually better country such as those in the EU, definitely not PRC) that lets you stay until after January 20, 2029 and can avoid having to go through US re-entry.
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Maybe I’m paranoid but, considering you’re politically active, I’d worry it’s a honeypot, designed with the intention of bringing you to china on your own volition and then locking you up there.
Even if it isn’t a designed honeypot, it sounds like OP will land themselves in jail either way.
If you already say in advance that you cannot accept the mainland Chinese political system and it’s set of rules, then I can hardly suggest to go there. If you start disagreeing with others publically and become a problem person you will end up in jail rather quickly. Whether you believe that to be rightful/proper justice or not, will not matter.
Are you starving and homeless, or on the brink of becoming so, and with no other options? If so, it might be worth considering, but if you’re not in an otherwise last resort situation, it doesn’t seem like a good idea.
The biggest issue with accepting free housing and other perks is the unspoken cost. What are the expectations in return?
I’ve spent time in taiwan and mainland china, as well as many other asian countries, china has its citizenry riled up in rampant nationalism thanks to the isolation of the people and propaganda. The propaganda of taiwan (and hong kong) being part of china is deeply rooted in the state sponsored group-think and is not going away any time soon. I will say the people I met, while angry when speaking about taiwan, did not seem to wish the people there any ill will, rather they seemed upset about the very idea of taiwan being separate.
That’s all to say, the political situation is complex. However the real question here is multifold. 1) is it against your chosen moral framework to capitulate and live in china and 2) if it is, what are your morals worth to you, what specific monetary amount would get you to renounce your views.
Parts of china are beautiful, the culture is lovely especially in rural areas, and living there could genuinely be nice. However your country is currently presenting the world’s largest bullseye and while your presence won’t swing the final result, if you feel you have a moral responsibility to stay and speak up, then do so!
No fucking way, if I was in a good European country and got forced to work 12 hours a day to buy a home I would accept it I am in an authoritarian country Iran and I have a free house, but It’s still miserable, the free part isn’t important the authoritarian part is important maybe I’m just in the worst authoritarian country and China is better
If it’s a month long experience and you go back to your regular life afterwards, I don’t see why you shouldn’t. I’ve always heard certain things about China, and since everybody says it, it must be true, right?
I don’t know a single person who could verify or deny any of those claims.
A month is enough time to start to get a feel for what life is like. I’d like to see how much of what I’ve heard has just been pro-American propaganda.
It’s not like China itself will greatly benefit from your visit or be horribly offended if you decline, so I really don’t think whether or not you support them means anything at all.
By all means be safe and don’t put yourself in danger. That’s more important than anything.
