Early this year Taiwan held historic presidential elections. For the first time a woman was among the candidates from which electors could choose. Between the two main political parties, onlookers from outside the small but internationally prominent island can easily come to the conclusion that the political battle lines are clear: unification or de jure independence from mainland China. The reality is different.
Five student delegates from the Asian Institute crossed the Pacific to witness the January election unfold in Taipei. They spoke with students, scholars, and other voters. They quickly discovered that clear-cut thinking regarding the politics of Taiwan does not reflect the reality on the ground. They found that while a staunch base of support exists for both the “blue” pro-unification and “green” pro-independence parties, there is a wide cross-section of the electorate whose views represent a third way between the two extremities of the cross-strait political spectrum.
The team of students has produced a film documenting their experiences as onlookers of the Taiwan presidential election. Untag Taiwan 2012 invites its viewers to open their minds: “before you tag Taiwan again, untag it first.” A rough cut screening of the film and a panel discussion will be hosted by the Asian Institute in room 208N, North House of the Munk School of Global Affairs on Friday, October 5, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Register online: https://archive.munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/12469/
