Lauren Yu-Lou Wang writes an autoethnographic essay on Taiwanese protest music and what it means for Taiwan’s global standing and cross-strait relations with China.

In 2014, I was a senior vocal major student at university by day and a bar singer by night. Having been pursuing music since my childhood, it felt like I was living my dream life. Each day was simply about doing what I loved – music – and encountering interesting people and experiences. Whether on stage or off, I was always the center of attention. At such a young age, I never tired of it. At that time, I believed I would continue to be a bar singer for life after graduation. Then, one day, a significant event unfolded in Taiwan, an event that changed not only my life but Taiwan’s trajectory.

I’m not certain of the exact date, but suddenly students began discussing the “Black Box Service Trade Agreement”. Initially, most of us didn’t fully comprehend the intricacies of the issue. We just knew that our then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) government of Taiwan had signed the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with China in 2013 without the democratic consent of the Taiwanese people. Though we didn’t grasp everything, it felt unsettling, dangerous, downright awful… It’s like selling our souls to Satan. Or perhaps even worse? Typically, like most Taiwanese, we were not interested in politics, history, or international news, which felt distant from Taiwan. Most students in Taiwan only cared about current social or political events around the time of the university entrance exams – not because major events tended to occur during that period or because students suddenly developed an interest in the world, but merely because it mattered for their grades as such topics could appear in the exams. So “simple” was it. Some might criticize the Taiwanese for their ignorance regarding global affairs. But from a different perspective, doesn’t it, to some extent, show that Taiwan is quite peaceful most of the time?

However, now that a significant event has occurred, students are striving to understand what is happening, and how it impacts Taiwan and those of us – the people of this land. Students from various fields started putting their knowledge into practice. Those studying political science, economics, and other related disciplines were compiling information to create easy-to-understand guides, while linguistically gifted students were translating this information into 29 languages, informing people in other countries about the predicament we were facing.

So, what exactly happened? Let me explain briefly: The Service Trade Agreement is essentially a pact between two nations allowing for the free development of service trade within each other’s borders. However, Taiwan has always been at a service trade deficit, exporting fewer services than importing, making it fundamentally unsuitable for open service trade. Signing such an agreement with China only exacerbates this unequal relationship because China’s enterprises far surpass Taiwan’s in scale. Take an example: the owner of PChome – Taiwan’s renowned e-commerce platform – once voiced support for the Service Trade Agreement. His rationale was that with the agreement, PChome could invest in China. But, simultaneously, China’s massive e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba could also enter Taiwan and compete with local e-commerce platforms. Given Alibaba’s scale, Taiwan’s e-commerce companies are no match for them. Conversely, the services PChome could offer with its resources are insufficient to meet the demands of Chinese consumers.

The only service trade sector in which Taiwan is stronger than China is transportation. Nevertheless, in other industries, Taiwan cannot compete with either China’s industry scale or its financial resources. Therefore, opening up the service trade market to China would provide limited overall economic benefits to Taiwan and would disproportionately harm more industries than it would benefit. Taiwan would be at a distinct disadvantage. On June 21, 2013, only after the KMT government inked the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement in Shanghai, it brought the agreement back to Taiwan for parliamentary review. Yet the review process was opaque and lacked sufficient public participation and discussion. Hence, this agreement came to be known as the “Black Box Service Trade Agreement”.

On March 11, 2014, the Sunflower Student Movement broke out in Taiwan, initiated by Taiwanese students and civic groups. The primary reason for this movement was dissatisfaction with the review process and content of the Black Box Agreement. Students were concerned that this agreement would undermine Taiwan’s economic autonomy and democratic procedures. On March 18, students and citizens occupied the Legislative Yuan – the highest legislative organ of Taiwan. In the following days, they organized a series of protest activities, calling for the withdrawal of the agreement and the enactment of legislation to supervise cross-strait agreements. During the movement, the song “Island’s Sunrise” or Daoyu tianguang 島嶼天光 by the punk rock band Fire EX. Miehuoqi 滅火器 played a vital role. This song embodied the spirit of the protesters and their desire for freedom and democracy. Its melody and warm yet resolute lyrics inspired and strengthened the cohesion of the participants, thus becoming the unofficial anthem of the movement and widely played and sung during the movement.

What an unreal feeling! Weren’t we discussing the theme of music as a tool of political resistance in a class at university just a few weeks before the incident? A classmate brought up the classic song “Do You Hear the People Sing” from the musical Les Misérables as an example. In the play, the young generation initiating the revolution expresses their dissatisfaction and anger towards the aristocratic regime of the time. They decide to overthrow the regime and establish a new system, with this song symbolizing the turning point and beginning of the revolution. Now, this scene has shifted to Taiwan, where the Taiwanese young people have become the protagonists of the story. We sang out our voices and defended democracy with determination. The Sunflower Student Movement lasted for about 23 days, achieving success in certain aspects. It successfully postponed the implementation of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement and prompted deeper discussions in Taiwanese society about any cross-strait agreements. Moreover, this movement has had profound effects on Taiwanese society and politics. It strengthened civic participation and political consciousness, especially among the youth. Additionally, it led to another change in political parties in Taiwan and facilitated the rise of new political forces. These new parties and political groups reflect more diverse and progressive political voices.

Not every generation of Taiwanese is indifferent to the society we live in. Throughout Taiwan’s modern history, there have been numerous student movements and social movements, which have contributed to Taiwan’s democracy and peaceful society. Taiwanese people no longer need to live in constant fear, which indirectly contributes to the general indifference towards current affairs. After all, as long as there is good food, good drink, and good entertainment, everything seems fine. However, after the Sunflower Movement, many young Taiwanese realized that we cannot continue to live in comfort. We must do something to protect our land and people, and we must enrich ourselves. These awakened youths are known as the Sunflower Generation. Back then, I believed that as a singer who revels every night, I couldn’t contribute to Taiwan. Two years after the Sunflower Movement, I left Taiwan and came to Switzerland to study.

During my time in Switzerland for over seven years, a lot has happened: In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, highlighting Taiwan’s progress in equality. That same year, the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) movement took place in Hang Kong, where Hong Kong citizens protested against China’s violation of the “one country, two systems” principle promised to Hong Kong. This movement exposed China’s issues regarding the rule of law and human rights, enhancing Taiwan’s vigilance toward China’s policies, especially regarding cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s sovereignty. It prompted Taiwanese citizens and the government to prioritize the protection of their democratic system and autonomy. In 2020, the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic showcased Taiwan’s successful healthcare system and democratic institutions, albeit in a manner we wouldn’t have wished for. In 2022, the Russia-Ukrainian War sparked Taiwan’s emphasis on national defense and the pursuit of international cooperation and support. However, it also deepened concerns within Taiwanese society about regional security and international political dynamics, particularly considering China’s stance and the world’s attitude towards Taiwan.

These various events have brought about fluctuating emotions among Taiwanese people. There are moments of hope, as we believe that Taiwan is finally gradually being seen by the world, and perhaps the world will understand Taiwan’s plight and support Taiwan in becoming a “normal” country. Yet, there are also moments of despair, as these small flames of hope are cruelly extinguished by the harsh realities, again, and again. In recent years, there have been significant changes in both Taiwan and the world. What remains unchanged is the annual rally organized by Taiwanese people in Geneva to support Taiwan’s accession to the WHO, as well as China’s interest in sponsoring fighter jet pilots to tour the airspace above the Taiwan Strait.

In the blink of an eye, the Sunflower Movement was already a decade ago. Not only has the world changed, but I also live a life vastly different from the past. Now, I am a master’s student in social anthropology, no longer that glamorous singer I once was. Yet, I still firmly believe that music is my most resilient and powerful weapon, just like how Fire EX. used the song “Island’s Sunrise” to unite the hearts of Taiwanese people back then. On May 20, 2023, some Taiwanese students in Europe and I, along with other Taiwanese expatriates from around the world, went to Geneva to peacefully protest. The students adapted the lyrics of Destiny’s Child’s song “Say My Name”, and as we marched, we sang:

Say my name, say my name…

China’s not around you,

Say: “Taiwan, I know you!”

UN’s not their game…

References:

1. “向國際友人簡介「反黑箱服貿，#佔領立法院」（多語言版本)” [Introducing ‘Oppose the Black Box Service Trade Agreement, #Occupy Legislative Yuan’ to International Friends (Multilingual Versions)]. https://www.erepublik.com/en/article/2384335.
2. “【服貿協議秒懂懶人包！】為何郭台銘柯文哲侯友宜談重啟服貿談判？台灣竟是服貿產業大逆差國！該與經濟崩盤中的中共習近平政權簽約嗎？詳解WTO服貿聖經版GATS！服貿簽不簽？（上）” [【Understanding the Service Trade Agreement in a Nutshell!】Why are Kuo T’ai-Ming, Ko Wen-Je, and Hou You-Ih Discussing the Resumption of Service Trade Negotiations? Taiwan Unexpectedly Has a Significant Service Trade Deficit! Should Taiwan Sign an Agreement with the Xi Jinping Regime Amid China’s Economic Collapse? Detailed Explanation of the WTO Service Trade Agreement GATS! To Sign or Not to Sign the Service Trade Agreement? (Part 1)]. https://youtu.be/M7V3VO0Z_-U?si=q3h-sTt2_JqBNB-v.
3. “【服貿協議血淚教訓驚悚揭露！】香港韓國怎麼吃到中共糖衣毒藥？中國竟是全球第四大服貿國？台灣一簽約，習近平就笑了！恐怖數據告訴你政客沒說的真相！服貿簽不簽？（中）｜國際政經83｜中國仆街85” [【Blood and Tears Revealed: The Horrifying Lessons of the Service Trade Agreement!】How Did Hong Kong and South Korea Fall for the CCP’s Sweet Poison? China Ranks Fourth Globally in Service Trade? Taiwan Signs, Xi Jinping Laughs! Terrifying Data Reveals the Truth Politicians Won’t Tell You! Should We Sign the Service Trade Agreement? (Part 2)]. https://youtu.be/RYTj0PwQZKg?si=idPWj92MVOfhGBFO.
4. “台灣民主危機 — — 黑箱服貿30秒強行闖關始末（重要更新）” [Taiwan’s Democratic Crisis — The 30-Second Dash Through the Black Box Service Trade Agreement (Important Updates)]. https://watchout.tw/reports/urDGL8yISe5v1QW6387w.
5. “太陽花學運” [Sunflower Student Movement]. https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E5%A4%AA%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E5%AD%B8%E9%81%8B.

Lauren Yu-Lou Wang is a graduate student in social anthropology at the University Of Zurich.

The original article, published on Medium in Mandarin Chinese, and translated here by Lauren, can be accessed here: https://medium.com/@ttttt616/do-you-hear-the-taiwanese-people-sing-509345fbed4f