Rebooting the dragon at the cross-roads? Divergence or convergence of cultural policy in Taiwan

Abstract

This study reviews the evolution of the cultural and creative industries (CCI) policy in Taiwan. Beginning with the early 1990s, when the ‘culturalization of industries, industrialization of culture’ represented the central theme of Taiwanese ‘cultural policy’, it traces the shift to the present day, in which Taiwan’s ‘CCI policy’ has been driven by the broader economic rationale of pursuing international competitiveness. By examining the recent discourse and development of Taiwan’s CCI policy, the paper reveals that Taiwan’s CCI policy has served to widen, rather than bridge the gaps between ‘localization and globalization’, ‘culture and creativity’, and ‘network system’ of the CCI development and more importantly, has overshadowed cultural issues. Consequently, tensions are emerging which are challenging to future CCI policy development, especially at a time when Taiwan is becoming increasingly incorporated into the fastest growing economy – mainland China, which brings threats and opportunities to the CCI development in Taiwan.

Keywords:

• cultural policy
• cultural and creative industries policy
• Taiwan cultural policy

View correction statement:

Rebooting the dragon at the crossroads? Divergence or convergence of cultural policy in Taiwan

Notes

1. Introduction of Taiwan given by the GIO. http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/17Culture.pdf [Accessed 21 September 2011].

2. For a brief historical review of Taiwan’s economic development, see Taiwan Economic Development at http://www.moeasmea.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=72&CtNode=263&mp=2 [Accessed 17 September 2011].

3. Information available online from the GIO http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/ad/win/012/html/silicon.htm [Accessed 21 September 2011].

4. For an overview of the Taiwan’s history during the twentieth century, see Inclusively Unique at http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?ctNode=1446&xItem=146586&mp=1 [Accessed 26 September 2011].

5. The Taiwan government is divided into central, provincial, and municipal, as well as county and city levels. The central government consists of the Office of the President and five branches (called ‘Yuan’) — the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan, the Judicial Yuan, the Examination Yuan, and the Control Yuan. There are currently three levels of local government: special municipalities, counties and provincial municipalities, and townships and county municipalities. County governments are headed by magistrates and city governments by mayors. Individuals serving in either of these positions are directly elected for a four-year term and may be re-elected to serve a second term. Counties are subdivided into county municipalities and townships. These are led by mayors and magistrates, who are also popularly elected for up to two four-year terms. In the policy documentation, it is found that the ‘local level’ or communities generally refers to the non-central levels of the government. Information available from: http://www.taiwan.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=27177&ctNode=1920&mp=1001 [Accessed 16 September 2011].

6. In the 2010 White Paper on Taiwan titled Locking in the Future published by the American Chamber of Commerce, while it indicates that Taiwan’s signing of the ECFA with mainland China seems to give rise in its international competitiveness, yet the challenges lie in how well Taiwan can balance the fast-growing trade and investment ties with China and avoid to be Locking in the Future as the title of the White Paper suggested.

7. For an overview of the i-Taiwan 12 Projects, see the plan from the Council for Economic and Development http://www.cepd.gov.tw/dn.aspx?uid=5631 [Accessed 5 May 2011].

8. Interview with Prof. Stuart Cunningham, Taipei Times, 30 March 2003. His interpretation on Taiwan’s definition of CCI has won a widely cross-sector acceptance in Taiwan.