TAIPEI • Taiwan has long seen its international allies switching allegiance to an ascendant Beijing, but now there are also fears of a brain drain of the island’s youth as they pursue careers in rival China..
TAIPEI • Taiwan has long seen its international allies switching allegiance to an ascendant Beijing, but now there are also fears of a brain drain of the island’s youth as they pursue careers in rival China.
China still sees the self-ruling island as part of its territory, but young people in particular have increasingly developed a sense of pride in their Taiwanese identity.
However, with monthly starting salaries for college graduates unchanged at below NT$30,000 (S$1,350) since the 1990s, and property and consumer prices spiralling upwards, some are now taking a more pragmatic approach.
China is also wooing young Taiwanese talent in what analysts say is a “soft power” push to sway political sentiment.
Ms Katherine Wang, 33, quit kindergarten teaching in Taipei and co-launched a business in May offering a variety of courses for young Chinese women in south-eastern Xiamen, saying she feels “hopeless” about Taiwan’s economy.
“I see a ray of hope in Xiamen and working there makes me happy. I want to make a name for myself and my partners and hopefully expand our business to all over China, ” she explained.
Ms Wang receives free housing and office space as an incentive from the Xiamen city government, an example of the perks offered by the provincial authorities, which also include generous grants.
