A Beacon of Growth: Why Taiwan's Future is Incredibly Bright

Ok stop right there, I know what you're all thinking. This is another article from the internet talking about how the #semiconductor industry and the continued integration with #japan and the U.S. will save #taiwan from a looming threat at its door. No. this isn't about politics. This isn't even about the macroeconomics. It's about people. It's about what's happening on the ground, and how I see it as a #digitalnomad .

I have always held the view that Taiwan is one of the most underrated places to visit, live, and work out of, especially to those who are not from this region. Coming from a family in the desert of Northern China and growing up in a small town in Japan, Taiwan has always been a point of fascination to me. We all know the history and the politics, sure. However, I have been fascinated by the thought of visiting the island and even living there. It is quite common to refer to Taiwan as "Baodao" or Island of Treasure in Chinese, and that fascination brought me to visit for the first time in 2015.

As a tourist in Taiwan, or #taipei its capital, it is as fun as it could be. It's got everything. You want food? Check. You want culture? Check. You want nightlife? Check. You want nature? Check. It is suitable for families, couples, or just a single traveler who was still trying to figure out his place in this world. The day I left Taipei after being here for 5 days as a tourist, I realized that this was a city I could see myself living in in the future. Fast forward 8 years, here I am writing this article in the center of this vibrant yet calm city.

But of course Taiwan isn't just about Taipei. I had the fortunate opportunity to visit many amazing cities and towns around the island. From the animated town in Jiufen to the North, to the rocky beaches in Kenting to the South. From the surprisingly vibrant and industrialized financial centres of Kaohsiung and Taichung to the West, to the little hidden gem of Hualien to the East, Taiwan has something for everyone. Contrast to mainland China, Taiwan provides a calm order; contrast to Japan, Taiwan provides a warm flexibility; contrast to Canada, Taiwan provides just the right level of convenience. While I spent my life in the three countries above and love them in many ways, it was clear to me that this hidden gem to most of the Western world will eventually be valued more and more as we return to global traveling after years stuck within the borders.

Then there is the people. Many know that Taiwan is a well educated (one of the highest education level in the world) places in the world, but few can truly feel it until you meet with the people here. Younger people are eager to learn English, or about foreign things, and are always curious to what is happening outside. This really reminds me of 1990s mainland China, or the 1970s-80s Japan that many people remember. I have met some of the brightest, smartest, and bravest young people, many of whom #entrepreneurs who have taken leaps to try to create something. They have dreams, and the land that they live in is giving them an opportunity to get there. We talked hours about business, entrepreneurship, and I am amazed everyday how bright the future is here. While the rest of the world is worried for Taiwan and talking about semiconductors and the cross-straight political tension, the people here are working towards their own goals, building solid foundations for a vibrant economy right into the middle of the century, no matter how big their footprints are. As the population grow older in all East Asian economies, and almost all without exception not being quite flexible towards an opening of #immigration , I have no doubt in my mind that Taiwan will lead the pack into a more diverse, open, and vibrant economic era.

As I grabbed my daily coffee from a local roaster started by a couple of young people who seem at least 10 years my junior, it once again reminded me today why Taiwan's future will be incredibly bright.