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The Chinese military is extending provocative exercises around Taiwan, days after the drills were scheduled to end. China says it is demonstrating the ability to blockade or invade the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own. But Taiwanese residents are not impressed, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Taipei.
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TAIWAN-CHINA DISTRUST
HEADLINE: In Taiwan, China’s Threats Create More Distrust Toward Beijing
TEASER: Polls already show virtually no one in Taiwan supports unifying with China.
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 08/09/2022 at 5:42 a.m.
BYLINE: William Gallo
CONTRIBUTOR: VOA Mandarin Service
DATELINE: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, AFP, Reuters
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY: Salem Solomon
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: An accompanying radio piece and web article have already been published.))
((INTRO))
[[The Chinese military is extending provocative exercises around Taiwan, days after the drills were scheduled to end. China says it is demonstrating the ability to blockade or invade the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own. But Taiwanese residents are not impressed, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Taipei.]]
((VIDEO: Chinese state media footage of military drills – if we can, use AFP V000_32G22AL – if that’s not usable then we could also use Reuters: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2022%3Anewsml_WD700807082022RP1&share=true))
((NARRATOR))
A display of overwhelming force off the coast of Taiwan. China’s message: you are not a sovereign country. But the drills are having another effect: driving Taiwanese public opinion even further against China.
((VIDEO: Gimbal shot of Taipei shopping district – in rough-cut, timecode 0:01-0:30))
In Taipei, most residents are used to dealing with China’s threats, though many say they don’t appreciate being bullied.
((VIDEO: Vox pops – in rough-cut, timecode 0:30-0:53))
((Jay, Taipei Resident)) ((Male, English))
“It’s not great from China. It doesn’t really help boost my feelings for China.”
((Ricky Su, New Taipei City Resident)) ((Male, English))
“China wants to control everything — the people, the lifestyle. But in Taiwan, we have our rights, our authority to control our own life.”
((Dave, Taipei Resident)) ((Male, English))
“They say they want to reeducate us after reunification, which sounds awfully familiar.”
((VIDEO: Xi Jinping w/ HK leaders wire footage - AFP V045_32DK9Y7 - use wide shot of two flags, then various shots of Xi and John Lee))
((NARRATOR))
Just like in Hong Kong, China proposes a “one country, two systems” policy for Taiwan. But China’s crackdown on Hong Kong has erased that distinction.
((VIDEO: Setup shots of Ou Si Fu – rough-cut, timecode0:53-1:06))
((Ou Si Fu, Institute for National Defense and Security Research)) ((Male, English))
“We can see Hong Kong is now just one China. And the Chinese swallowed their promise. So how can we trust Beijing?”
((VIDEO: Dance party footage - in rough-cut, timecode 1:06-1:37))
((Footage courtesy of Wen Lii))
((NARRATOR))
But those fears aren’t keeping Taiwanese from enjoying the present. This frontline island, not far from the Chinese drills, held a dance party over the weekend.
((VIDEO: Zoom interview with Wen Lii, rough-cut timecode 1:38-1:57))
((Wen Lii, Director of Matsu Islands Office, Democratic Progressive Party)) ((Male, English))
“We understand that these drills are a way of communicating Beijing’s anger, or Beijing’s dissatisfaction. And they are quite frankly a very violent form of communication… //white flash cut// ...it only serves to increase the antipathy that Taiwanese people hold toward the government of China.”
((VIDEO: Gallo standup – timecode 1:57— for house version, cover with more Taipei b-roll, can use any b-roll after standup in rough-cut))
((NARRATOR)) “Here in Taipei, the idea of unifying with China is more unpopular than ever. Most also oppose declaring independence. Polls suggest the vast majority just want to keep things the way they are.”
((Bill Gallo. VOA News. Taipei.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 9, 2022 05:48 EDT
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media, Voice of America - English
