As I write this a typhoon, Typhoon Ally, is howling outside and dumping rain by the litres. Practically the whole of Taiwan is flooded. I have just been watching the news and the scenes of devastation, at times, seem apocalyptic: freeways washed away, mountain sides collapsing and burying roadways beneath them, main roads in various towns and cities flooded so high that the cars parked outside are covered up to their roofs by water, evacuations by boats in the middle of towns. And all because of poor planning and exploitation.
For a country where typhoons happen a few times every year, one would expect some sort of wise action, based on previous experience. Yet, as I watched the news I was struck by how surprised and unprepared everyone seemed. Taiwanese like to think of themselves as a developed and cultured people who have a slightly above normal average intelligence. They are, for example, very disdainful of the Mainland Chinese, whom they consider dirty and poor. They think of Africa as a backward continent inhabited by dangerous and uncivilized savages. They would completely disregard the opinion I am about to express, that Taiwan itself is essentially a third world country gilded with wealth.
Far from being an indication of intelligence, culture, or development, Taiwan's wealth is a sign of its people's opportunism. And this trait also lies at the heart of the devastation I see on the news. Opportunism's bedfellow is all too often exploitation. Exploitation of people, markets, resources, situations. Taiwanese have exploited their own land, not for mutual benefit, but for personal short-term gains. Mountainsides are turned into cash crop and amusement park ventures, houses are illegally extended over flood water drains and fire fighting and escape routes, office buildings are erected where parks were planned because they are more profitable, rivers are polluted with toxic effluents because it's the cheapest option, and nuclear power stations are built within sight of beach resorts and national parks because they are less, although not completely, earthquake prone there.
Yet, people are surprised by the devastation they have heaped upon themselves and bemoan their lot! What I see around me today is a third world country pretending it is competing with developed Western countries and ridiculously assuming the title of "The Heart of Asia", that I saw on a TV ad. If anything, it is the heartburn of Asia, unable to fend for itself on the world stage and even within its own borders and only maintaining some international attention through its provocative stance towards China.
If China attacked today, they could sail their warships right up to the front door of the presidential palace, where the president and his security forces will no doubt be mopping the floors.
25 August 2004
Dion Marc Delport