Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement

Whenever someone asks me what's my nationality, I always proudly say 'I am Taiwanese!'  Sometimes people questions if that is the same thing as Chinese, I always tell them no, being Taiwanese means being a citizen of Republic of China, not People Republic of China. The biggest difference between Taiwan and China is that Taiwan is a democratic country. The citizens have the right to speak of their opinions. This is something that Taiwan is most proud of. As of today, my country's future is in serious jeopardy. In June 2013, the Taiwanese government signed a agreement with China, without publicly releasing the details of the agreement. This agreement allows the Chinese come to Taiwan and open up their own companies, hold residency for an undetermined period of time and receive free healthy care benefits, as long as they invest certain amount of money in the Taiwanese government. As much as this would help boost Taiwan's economy, the price that the Taiwanese nation must pay is to allow the Chinese take over the majority of Taiwan's business industry. While this seems like a huge problem for Taiwan's future, the bigger problem we face today is this: Taiwanese government singed this agreement with China without the consent of the nation. If Taiwan still wants to keep it's democracy, such action cannot be tolerated. Democracy is what Taiwanese value the most, if the government can make decisions for the country without the nation's support, how long before the Chinese move in, take control of the government and have Taiwan become a part of China? Taiwan has been fighting for more than 60 years to keep it's independence, and we are not about to stop now. On March 30th, 500,000 students and citizens gathered in the heart of downtown Taipei to protest against the government's decision. (Sunflower Student Movement)

I myself is not big in politics, but I will defend for my country until the day I die. I believe that it is necessary to keep a friendly bond with China, but merging with them or having the Chinese move in is not an option. I don't know what kind of fate Taiwan faces right now, I just hope in a few years I can still proudly tell people that I am Taiwanese, and I am a citizen of Republic of China.