Like Batanes, the Kaohsiung economy used to be centered on fishing. As of end-April this year, 720,000 people have already visited to attend 54 concerts, spending NT$2.3 billion (around P4.18 billion). Global brands that help raise the profile of Kaohsiung face similar risks, although on this, Beijing’s success is uncertain. * * *The problem faced by Kaohsiung shows Taiwan’s struggle against Chinese economic coercion. This isolation has kept millions of Taiwanese out of the global health loop and unable to quickly undertake preventive measures during outbreaks of deadly diseases such as SARS and COVID.

Source: Philippine Star June 23, 2024 22:45 UTC