Taiwanese authorities are still assessing the costs of recovering from the recent devastating earthquake. The quake, which struck on Wednesday, caused extensive damage, including collapsed buildings, toppled water towers, and landslides that damaged roads and infrastructure. Repairing the damage from this earthquake is expected to be costly, with the last earthquake of a similar scale in 1999, although much larger, costing nearly $10 billion.
Twenty-five years ago, Taiwan declined assistance from China, its estranged neighbor. When China offered help again this week, Taiwan promptly refused, citing concerns over the nature of the offer. Lev Nachman, an assistant professor of political science at National Chengchi University in Taipei, stated that Taiwan views China's offer with skepticism, seeing it as an attempt to exploit the situation rather than genuine kindness.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council expressed gratitude for China's concern but stated that there was no need for Chinese assistance in disaster relief. This stance reflects Taiwan's historical distrust of China, especially concerning how China handled the 1999 earthquake. Taiwan criticized Beijing's attempted oversight of relief efforts at that time as "extremely inappropriate" and noted that China obstructed the U.N.'s ability to provide aid in 1999.
Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, suggests that China's offer of aid is part of its strategy to assert control over Taiwan, a claim that Taiwan vehemently rejects. Taiwan's rejection of Chinese aid also reflects broader public distrust of China, fueled by China's military presence around the island and its insistence that Taiwan is part of its territory.
Taiwan's recent election reaffirmed its desire for independence, with voters choosing the China-skeptical Democratic Progressive Party for another term. President-elect William Lai has expressed openness to engagement with Beijing but maintains Taiwan's commitment to peace while rejecting any illusions about China's intentions.
Nachman suggests that China expected Taiwan to reject its offer of aid, viewing it as a way to portray Taiwan in a negative light.
He explains that China's offer was not a genuine gesture of kindness but a strategic move to undermine Taiwan's reputation.
In contrast to Taiwan's response to China, Taiwan warmly welcomed Japan's offer of assistance. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed condolences and readiness to assist Taiwan, which was met with gratitude and a strong affirmation of the bond between Taiwan and Japan by President-elect Lai.