I was talking recently with an environmentalist here in Taiwan. He was talking about Taiwan’s non-existence in the international environmental movement due to China’s bullying of NGOs to stay out. This limbo status has, he says, allowed developers and businessmen to do pretty much whatever they want.
Sure, the Taiwanese government of late has made several moves to improve environmental policies (one of which recently failed). What this person was actually saying is that there are very few standards for Taiwan, because it’s not being a part of the network. Also, Taiwan is often not included in environmental studies and statistical research because the organizations don’t have a presence in Taiwan.
I’m curious if anyone has any experience with this. I’ve been doing some searching, and I can’t find anything substantial. I’ve also looked in some of my books on Taiwan, and though there is a lot about the UN and WHO as well as mentions of the World Veterinarians Association and the Lion’s Club, there isn’t much in the way of environmental groups like the WWF, Greenpeace, etc.
What is China’s general stance on NGOs that work in Taiwan? Is it really as simple as: If you have a presence in Taiwan, you will no longer be permitted to work in China? Also, will Ma’s election change any of this, since China has said it will relax its position on Taiwan’s international participation a little?
I think your environmentalist is making a false correlation that the poor treatment of the Taiwan environment stems from a lack of NGO watchdogs or oversight.
Recent history is that up until about the 1990’s, the environment was never a priority because a) the KMT were going to retake the motherland and b) took the view that can’t worry about the environment when developing one’s economy.
That said, NGO’s have to play the One China game. If they want to work in China, then they need the blessing of the Chinese government. NGO’s have to be apolitical in China or not be allowed to operate. “Recognizing Taiwan” as a seperate country, no matter how that may be interpreted, will mean lack of access to China.
I would be seriously surprised if it was a case of “NGO has an official Taiwan presence, then you can’t be in China.” NGO’s are somewhat like corporations, and corporates have all played the One China game and been allowed to operate in both countries.
IMHO NGO’s also try to maximize their return on investment. Can they do more “good” or “make a difference” given limited resources if they operate in China or Taiwan?
Now I can’t remember news stuff off hand for NGO examples like you’re looking for.
Ma’s election is going to improve relations. He’s a pragmatist and not a tool.
One thing I forgot to mention was that at this particular dinner with two prominent Taiwanese environmentalists where I had the conversation, both of them claim to have had direct experience with NGOs (one with Greenpeace, one with a British avian protection group, the name of which escapes me) saying straight-up, “We will not come to Taiwan because we need to be able to continue to work in China.”
That supposedly being the case, I certainly understand why they would choose to stay in China instead of coming to Taiwan, given the size and the impact of China.
My principle aim here is to check up what these two people said to me, just because I consider myself pretty up to snuff on China-Taiwan stuff, and I’d never heard of this kind of bullying.