My Photos of Taiwan!

[bbchris]

Well I hope you like these. I didn't have many photo moments to speak of.



I really like some of the roads in Taipei (Capital of Taiwan) where I was for the six days. They are tree-lined and large. The palm trees give it such a nice feel.







The Taiwanese office that I am working out of has lovely views of Taipei. These two pics are from the windows on opposite ends of the office:











One night we went to the student area of Taipei and the streets reminded me of Tokyo:







Also went for a lovely buffet on the 45th floor building up above this area and managed to take a night-time shot of the Presidential Palace where Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian lives.







I was really surprised to learn that Taiwan is not part of the UN due to pressure from China. Bizarre really as Taiwan is a first-world country........



Well I hope that gives you a peek at Taiwan. I also found out there are over 1000 mountains in the country. Next time I go, I will definitely extend my stay a couple of days and head south.

   | Jane Eliz | Blah Blah | Song of the Week |

[bbchris]

The photos aren't THAT boring are they?

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[AQUARIAN AGE]

No, not boring at all!!! But I can´t get an oppinion "just" out of these pics. But I´d like to read more about your personal experiences!

@Artistlaunch 
@BeSonic  @MP3.com 
@FM4

[maitre ka fu]

It's very clean and ordered there...

[droolymutt]

the photos are fascinating, chris....



it's just that everyone is stuck in the "girls" thread....



hehe..

[PLX180]

Really nice photos Chris especially of the Presidential Palace. And it always fascinates me how different buildings look in different countries.



Good of you to take the time to put them up.

u know u want to

[bbchris]

hahahahha I knew somehow that the 'girls of Taiwan' thread would be far more popular. You guys are very sweet to look and post in this thread



There's always been a lot of American influence in Taiwan. They prefer American English teachers to British English teachers. The Mandarin spoken in Taiwan is slightly different to China.



For me, Taipei feels similar to Hong Kong - more so than China. Why? Probably cause Taiwan is a first world country - they have good roads/transport, good health-care, schools, etc. It's an island like Hong Kong although many times bigger! hahahahha



Hey what do you reckon if I go round HK next week with my camera, and start a 'girls of Hong Kong' thread?!?!?! hahahahahahhaha

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[PLX180]

Do it

u know u want to

[bbchris]

hahahahhaha OK - but it's not going to be as easy as in Taiwan....

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[droolymutt]

what does a "first world country" mean?



democracy? - do they vote?



freedom of speech?



I saw you mention something to the effect that Taiwan is not with the U.N. - because of China - that scared me...How can China stop anyone from being part of the U.N?



just curious.. - I love learning about other places and cultures...

[bbchris]

Yes they have democracy and freedom of speech. Unlike China! hahahaha



Well as far as I know Taiwan USED to be in the UN or whatever equivalent it was in the 60s & 70s BEFORE China was allowed in. Taiwan has a lot of support from USA - because it was never a communist place.



Then as China got more powerful, USA & other countries began to shift favour to China. (Big country, lots of people, vast potential to make $$$) China would only join the UN if Taiwan wasn't a member as China acts as if Taiwan is a part of China. Do you understand what I mean?

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[droolymutt]

I understand... - you explained it well.



Thanks.

[bbchris]

Oh really? Thank you! I'm never sure if I give enough information. I'd hate to bore you



Now you got more dancing girl icons???

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[Jake Cepheus]

After World War II, the Communist forces under Mao Zedong and the Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-Shek went head-to-head for control of the Chinese mainland. Mao won, and the Nationalist forces set up shop in Taiwan. The United States, being completely unwilling to recognize the Communists under Mao as the legitimate government of China, gave diplomatic recognition to the Nationalists in Taiwan as being the government-in-exile of China. So Taiwan was sort of part of the UN, in that China's permanent Security Council seat was actually controlled by the Nationalist government in Taiwan. In the 1970s, the United States began establishing diplomatic relations with the Communist government in mainland China, and in the late 1970s shifted diplomatic from Taipei to Bejing as being the legitimate government of China, which had the effect of taking control of China's Security Council seat away from Taipei and giving it to Beijing. Having a permanent Security Council seat gives Beijing a lot of heavy-duty bargaining power in the UN, and the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue gives the rest of the Security Council some bargaining power with China. Since the Beijing government doesn't actually occupy Taiwan, the Taiwanese don't get hurt by it too bad (although they get hurt a lot worse than most Westerners realize, because Westerners don't really comprehend the importance of "saving face" in Chinese and Taiwanese culture).



Jake :)

http://www.mp3.com/jakecepheus

[Jake Cepheus]

I figured I would bore you since Chris didn't want to.



Jake

http://www.mp3.com/jakecepheus

Edited by: Jake Cepheus at: 9/14/02 6:52:04 pm