The annual Spring Social Tea Party organized by the Chinese Association for Relief and Ensuing Services (CARES) is designed as a “homecoming” event for mainland spouses, mostly wives, so that they feel a sense of home in Taiwan.

For many of the women, living far from their parents in China, the association’s Taipei City headquarters is like their parents’ home, explained Lin Ying-chen, CARES service department head.

“We’re all immigrants...Seeing all you here is like seeing my own brothers and sisters,” said guest speaker Steve Wu, deputy director of the National Immigration Agency (NIA), in his opening remarks to an audience of mostly mainland wives and their children.

To celebrate a spinoff on a Chinese New Year custom in which daughter-in-laws return to their parents homes, many of the wives put together performances for the event, which included a traditional Chinese fan dance and English song “Love Paradise.”

Even though most attendees share a common link, that of having immigrated to Taiwan as mainland wives, their stories are as diverse as they come.

Hsiao Ai-chin, a native from Jiangxi Province who came to Taiwan 10 years ago in an arranged marriage, felt “very lonely” and very much in a “foreign environment” at first.

“After I learned about CARES through a friend, I’ve been much better,” said Hsiao, who is participating in the event for the first time this year.

Hsiao echoes how many of the mainland wives feel about CARES, which for them is an important support network. “I’ve met a lot of good friends through CARES. I think it’s very important to get out more ... I used to stay at home all day and didn’t know about a lot of services and rules concerning immigrants like myself.”

For Linda Qin, who came from Guizhou Province two years ago, the transition proved even more difficult. Not accustomed to living with her in-laws and having to stay home all day because as a mainlander she was not allowed to work when she first arrived, she went back to China after only six months.

Qin, who met her Taiwanese husband online, has been going back and forth across the strait ever since, mainly to take care of paperwork involved with applying for employment.

Despite her efforts to find a job and take up residence in Taiwan, Qin is not willing to settle for any job.

“I used to be a tour guide, but here there are a lot of job restrictions for foreigners,” said the self-professed independent woman. “There is a perception that mainlanders can only do menial jobs. If that is the case, then I don’t think it’s worth it for me to stay in Taiwan.”

At present, mainlanders have to wait an average of eight years to obtain work authorization in Taiwan, which is a longer waiting period than other foreign passport-holders. Despite improvements in cross-strait relations, this remains a matter of much debate and controversy.

But this issue does not seem to affect Jessica Liu, a homemaker who has been able to obtain the much-sought-after work authorization, which she has no intention of using. “I like my life here in Taiwan. I don’t mind staying home the whole day... here I lead a very stress-free, relaxed life.”

Liu, who came from Sichuan Province seven years ago after holding a long-distance relationship with her husband for about a year, is happy to be a stay-at-home wife.

“I used to work at a department store back in China, and was very stressed out and tired all the time. Here I don’t have those worries or pressure,” said Liu contentedly.

But perhaps the best example of positive assimilation is Ding Qing, a Fujian Province native who has lived in Taiwan for 13 years. “I’m very grateful to Taiwan. Taiwan has treated me very well. In China there is no freedom like there is here.”

“In Taiwan, it doesn’t matter what background you come from, you can still make it here,” said the outspoken volunteer, who has, according to her, not only found better job prospects than she would have in China, but has even been able to open her own business with her husband.

Ding’s love for her adopted country is evident. “Taiwanese people should stop complaining so much about their country and be grateful that it is their country, it is...a land of freedom and opportunities.”

The Chinese Association for Relief and Ensuing Services (CARES) is a non-profit organization funded in 1950 that aims at easing mainlanders’ transition to Taiwan, especially those who come as mainland spouses.

To this end, the association plans many free activities throughout the year, including trips to several places of interest in the island as well as classes on a variety of subjects such as psychological wellbeing, child welfare, domestic violence and immigration laws.

CARES also provides help to low-income, disabled, and minority groups, and aids in national catastrophe relief and international rescue missions. More information on the association and activities can be found in their website: http://www.cares.org.tw

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