#4 Safety

The Physical (and Economic) Safety of Taiwan

Forbes Article: Taiwan Tops Global Expat Ranking August 2016

You can't put a price on safety, (esp. as a woman / person with child) nor the importance of freedom from worrying about potential harm, burglary, theft, or harassment from others.  Safety, along with respect for basic human rights, is essential to what brings people to live, work, or just to travel, in a foreign country. In Taiwan, not only are their morals in the right place, day to day interactions among people are unlike anywhere else I've traveled to. I should mention that in Taiwan, living as a foreigner has even more perks than as a native born citizen. 

Preparation for a protest in Taipei, Dec. 2017

In 2016, Taiwan ranked #2, (#4 in 2017) as safest country in the world according to InterNations: Expat Insider. (Yes, I realize China does not allow the rest of the world to recognize Taiwan as its own country.)  Yet "while expats seem happy in Taiwan, the same can't be said for neighboring China, which dropped 10 places to 48 out of 67 countries."

Taiwan's ability to provide expats with economic safety and a healthy 'work-life balance' has also been noted. The article stating: "Taiwan's nature, friendliness, and advanced economy have helped it....(to be) our big winner. It's the best place for quality of life as well as for personal finances. They are doing something very right there." 

The one downfall to Taiwan's integrity is that you may find yourself beginning to let your guard down, maybe even forgetting things, leaving out your personal items, etc. Things that would not serve you well in a new country or the inevitable bad neighborhood. 

A Few Differences of TAIWAN + CHINA:

Although "China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, not as a country, and vows to eventually bring the self-ruled island under its flag. Taiwan HAS BEEN self-ruled since the 1940s and DEMOCRATIC for the past 30 years." 

Source

Taiwan also foster's "the world's most open government" serving the public's needs and allowing access to meaningful data. Compared to China (18% of its data open to public), Taiwan's (78%) "mass media faces few legal restrictions so the pressure from (its) fervently democratic society" is there.  Meaning, public majority requests are quite often met, hence why Taiwan's safety and security are topping the charts! 

^^

Taiwan is also the first country in Asia to legalize equal rights for same sex couples, another huge win for public safety. Again in the news, China put pressure on the Paris Gay Games to change Taiwan's name to Taipei, not allowing any international recognition of Taiwan as an independent country. 

As China (the world's second biggest economy and growing) continues to demand that other countries stop calling Taiwan a country, it's of course easy to see companies bend the knee. Mostly airlines, hotels, and private companies. There seems to be no real winning against China in this department. Taiwan's best hope, is that the USA remains their ally. However, here is an opinion piece from someone who thinks the USA shouldn't risks its indispensable relationship with China for Taiwan's independence. 

Police and Crime 

Police set aside areas for demonstrators in Taipei Dec. 2017.

The United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security: 

Taiwan's Crime and Safety Report: 

-Minimal street crime in Taiwan, violent crime is rare.

-Extensive surveillance camera coverage ensures most activity in public spaces can be monitored and recorded, serving as significant deterrent to crime.

-Pickpocketing and petty theft can occur. 

-Violent crime against foreigners is generally uncommon, but isolated incidents may occur.  

-Fraud is a reoccurring concern perpetrated by criminals from mainland China and other SE Asian countries.  

Terrorism Threat: LOW THREAT

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence: LOW THREAT

Civil Unrest: Demonstrations occur. "Protests and demonstrations occur on a regular basis in major cities, particularly during elections. Protests are an accepted part of political life. Demonstrators rarely turn violent, although they may become confrontational." 

 Police presence is clearly visible in preparation for protesters and demonstrators.
(Unsure what was the reasoning, nor if they were eventually ever needed.)

Guns

Assault rifles are illegal in Taiwan. However with a license and a background check, citizens can own a shotgun, handgun, or a regular rifle. It's also worth mentioning, I've seen plenty of police officers not carrying guns. 

"Much of Taiwan's gun culture is geared towards hunting wild game and target shooting, as well as self- protection, though most gun owners don't normally emphasize on self-protection due to Taiwan's low crime rate.""Out of a population of about 25,000,000 there are approximately 1,080,200 gun owners in Taiwan and about 3,332,235 legally owned guns."  Source

Part of Asian Culture

Source

A Burmese friend of mine once told me how Asian cultures seem to "breed" people with intrinsic values and goals vs. extrinsic ones. At first I was unsure how that could be true since it seems every household is unique. Now I've come to realize, that that choice to teach, encourage, and support intrinsic or extrinsic motivation, is the culture and consensus of the West. Whether you, and those around you, are motivated by intrinsic goals or extrinsic goals has a lot to do with how one behaves and conduvts themselves in society. 

He went on to say that they, Asians, are less aggressive in aspects of social and educational daily life norms. Having traveled to over a dozen Asian countries, I have clearly seen this as well.  Maybe this is why, in Taiwan, a 14 year old woman, or a 40 year old woman can wear a mini skirt through the city streets at midnight and not fear for her safety. Why a teenage boy can ride his bike to and from elementary school without being jumped, why subways are kept pristine and interactions even among upper and lower class are kept polite. 

Another great blog (with stats) on Safety in Taiwan: The Heat is More Dangerous than the Crime.

No Place is Perfect: Traffic and Environmental Hazards 

Construction in Progress

Taiwan seems to escape the violent madness unraveling in other parts of the world, however, the same cannot be said for the madness on the roads. On the streets of Taiwan, big overrules the small. Traveling around the city as a pedestrian, cyclist, or on a motor scooter can be quite hazardous! "Scooter and bicycle accidents are the largest source of accidental American citizens deaths in Taiwan, as scooters often fail to obey traffic laws or follow generally accepted driving practices." *OSAC

Earthquake in Hualien February 4, 2018

Taiwan experiences several earthquakes each year, with few major ones causing considerable damage and loss of life. In my first years in Taiwan, I felt the small swirl of an earthquake once or twice a year. Over this past year, the amount has increased uncomfortably so. Typhoons are the other natural disaster to watch out for. Typhoon season runs from June to October. Taiwan averages six typhoon warnings per year. The strongest one I have been here for was Typhoon Meranti in September 2016, however, Taichung is protected from mountains so, luckily, I haven't experienced more than howling winds and drastic rainfall. 

Source

Reports now say that one in six global deaths are linked to air pollution. In Taiwan, air pollution has gotten significantly worse since I arrived in 2013. Schools now require air filters in classrooms, and it's also the reason many of us wear the notable face masks. While Taiwan has met incredible and inspiring goals when it comes to its recycling regulations, and 'action plans' to shift to electric vehicles have been made. I think we're all still wondering, is it enough? Air quality index in real time!

Mental Health in Taiwan 

In my last post, I raved about the National Health Insurance. While it is exquisite, there is a different light shed on people who suffer from mental illnesses in Taiwan. These people are much more vulnerable than in the West. Mental illness is still misunderstood and not often discussed in Taiwan, there is not much available mental health services, including elderly homes. I have seen the occasional spook hanging around a convenient store doorway or on the city buses shouting irrationally. Few times I've seen elderly handicapped persons in the night markets, or marks of homelessness near city main stations as well. Here is an article of the most violent act that has happened while I've lived in Taiwan. This man was executed as he was ruled not mentally ill. 

I have included the few minor incidents that happen in Taiwan (maybe to convince myself this place isn't perfect^^) which are rare, but do happen. Overall, in over five years as a foreigner living and working in Taiwan, with countless experiences and shared stories, Taiwan really does outshine and surpass the majority of nations in safety and security. 
Still not convinced that Taiwan in the bees knees? "Forget About The Forbes' Lists; Here are 9 Great Things About Taiwan." 

Don't be afraid to shine. Thanks for all the support! ^^ - K