Can Taiwan change China?

A recent article by Jonathan Adams in the International Herald Tribune described a certain cult unpopular with Beijing that was recruiting mainlanders visiting Taiwan thanks to the cross-straits detente.

The Taiwan government is powerless to stop the activities due to strong laws protecting assembly of private citizens.

The broad question this raise to me is whether Taiwan will change China due to the opening of cross straits.

Hong Kong (and Macau) are unlikely to change China because they are:

- Small (Fewer than 8 million people)
- Lacking lively political debate
- Cantonese-speaking

The rule of law and free expression in Hong Kong are interesting characteristics, but my sense is that Hong Kong is still considered a culture apart.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is:

- Fairly large (22 million people, I think)
- Quite prominent on the mainland (Taiwan has long been considered a renegade province, so always part of China)
- Mandarin-speaking
- Politically lively

Taiwan is a great counter-argument to those who think that Chinese culture rejects democracy/self-rule (a view expressed on this blog recently)

Will Taiwan change China? (How could China change Taiwan?)

Technorati Tags: China, Taiwan

IPTV service for Taiwan and China?

When I pitched this business idea about a week ago in a blog post, I received numerous emails of encouragement and some with helpful suggestions. This is a refined version of the business plan presented on video and set to drumbeat.

Would you want this service?

Business Pitch: How to profit from Taiwan’s digital TV deficit

Having left journalism to take up business development with one of Asia’s more successful serial entrepreneurs, I’m always on the lookout for new business opportunities.

This idea strikes me as quite complex to accomplish alone, but too compelling to drop.

For that reason, I wrote it up and now share the idea here online in the hopes of feedback or - who knows - potential partners. What do you think?

Executive Summary:

Taiwan companies export most of the world’s large flatscreen televisions, but Taiwanese buy relatively few.

Why? Taiwan television is bad. Really bad.

Hampered by regulations, cable companies in Taiwan have no incentive to invest in compelling content or develop new distribution models.

Stuck in the 1990s, Taiwan suffers one of the world’s biggest digital TV deficits.

Taiwan’s digital TV deficit is so great that it may actually offer a business opportunity.

For my full idea, please read below the fold.
(more…)

Technorati Tags: Business Pitch, Digital, HDTV, Taiwan, Television