As the world is pinching into a new cold war, the relationship between the democratic world and China is becoming a great challenge for many world leaders.  Coincidentally, Taiwan has turned into a vibrant democracy with a robust economy; its remarkable handling of COVID-19 has been the envy of the world.  The engagement approach was thought to be the best way to bring China into the international community in the 70s; however, the current climate seems to challenge that notion.  What has the world learned between Taiwan and China to help us on a better path for the future?  Can the “Taiwan Model” help the world visualize a different China?  Charlie Smith shares his perspective as a Canadian journalist from many angles including Taiwanese arts and culture.

Charlie Smith, born in Victoria and raised in Saanich, is an editor at the Georgia Straight for over 25 years. For seven years, he also taught investigative techniques at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (then known as Kwantlen University College) and worked at CBC Radio for 13 years. He’s won two Western Magazine Awards for business writing and twice been nominated for Jack Webster Foundation Awards for his business and science writing. In addition, Charlie has received an antiracism award from Spice Radio, a medal from Radical Desi for countering racist narratives in media, and a community builder award from the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.