I am Chinese. Historically, I, together with many fair/orange skin human beings, are all living legacies - descendants of the vast Chinese civilisation renowned as Zhong Guo (China). The cradle and essence of every single Chinese community/country that spans across the globe. Though it is genetically hard to blueprint Asiatics exact beginnings, it is evident in places like Indochina, Japan or S/N Korea, have all traditionally assimilated a great deal of Chinese influence within their culture.

- We have such a common last name such as “Lee” (ie. Korea, S.E Asia Region)
- Staple diet are normally rice or its related
- Medicinal remedies such as acupuncture and plant herbs

As for the predominant population in HongKong, Taiwan or Singapore, our blood lines are mostly recent and clearer. For instance, my granny was born in China before her parents decided to re-settle in Singapore. During this period of hardship and toil under the dynastic rule, many Chinese fled to S.E Asia.

Taiwan is also pretty much similar. It is an island of containing many chinese, politically named as ROC (Republic of China). I had just returned from a trip to Taipei which I had a great time eating and walking around. As a Chinese visiting a place filled with even more Chinese, it was interestingly fascinating. Or rather, I probably had too much of a pre-conditioned “Singapore state of mind” to compare and complain. Their sweet voice, smooth white tofu skin, courtesy and politeness. Like Singapore and most other countries, underneath Taipei sugar coating, they have their dirty laundry like gangs, streets peddlers or related unsavouriness. As an honest and neutral opinion, I do not as feel safe walking alone along Taipei streets at night.

There is massive difference of societal behaviours and practises between Singaporean and Taiwanese. If there is a study on Asia where levels of civil freedom is measured, Taiwan would straight to the top of the chart. It is this discretion of freedom that evolved into values and behaviours embraced very fervently by its people.

Good or bad? It is one long list to debate. It is hard to imagine as a Singaporean, even having the same Chinese roots as Taiwanese and speaking the same mother language, we harbour such difference in social mindset. Is this a valid guage to compare Singapore’s democracy?