Breaking News, World News and Taiwan News.

Updated Sunday, October 18, 2009 10:58 am TWN, The China Post news staff

Sponsors
▪	Find great real time deals on China Flights. Book flights to China or China domestic flights 24/7.
▪	Buy china wholesale products from reliable chinese wholesalers on DHgate.com!
▪	Save 75% for all hotels in Shanghai, Beijing and whole China. Lowest rates for Flights in China.
▪	Get the best deals for Guangzhou Hotels or choose from more than 10,000 hotels in 499 Chinese cities.

Stronger HK ties bolster Taiwan's diplomatic message

As Hong Kong looks to revamp its relationship with Taiwan, Taipei is advised to do the same.

A global city right next door, Hong Kong has long influenced Taiwan in many ways.

Taiwanese have been fans of Hong Kong movies, TV dramas and pop music for decades. The “Pearl of the Orient” has long been one of the most popular spots on Taiwanese travel maps.

However, in recent years a reverse trend has emerged. Every weekend, Cantonese becomes almost a second language in Taipei tourist hotspots such as Ximending, the 24-hour Eslite bookstore in Taipei and Kenting in southern Taiwan.

Taiwanese pop stars and melodramas are attracting wider audiences in Hong Kong. A recent leading story in many Hong Kong media gossip pages is the “invasion” of Yao Yao, the sexy Taiwan pop idol.

A less obvious, yet perhaps more significant, Taiwanese influence is the importation of Taiwanese democracy to Hong Kong, a city not known for its political engagement.

“The Biggest (Political) Party” (全民最大黨), Taiwan's popular sketch comedy show similar to “Saturday Night Live,” has become the model for a Hong Kong program “Hong Kong Gossip” (香港亂噏).

The show, which mocks the words and deeds of politicians and public officials in Hong Kong, has proven an unexpected hit.

Similar influences can also be seen in Hong Kong's real-life politics scene. Typical aspects of Taiwanese democratic politics, such as intensive campaigning and rowdy legislative sessions have rejuvenated the city's pro-democratic base.

Until now, Taiwan's impact on Hong Kong has been spontaneous and unplanned. With more coordinated efforts by the government, Taipei can find inroads into Hong Kong not only through economic and cultural means but by showcasing Taiwan's energetic, though sometimes messy, democracy.

Taiwan's example will not change Hong Kong all at once, but may in the long term prove to be a model of freedom to the city and, perhaps, the mainland beyond.

1|2