Taiwan's transparent virus response born out of 1990 protests

Different paths taken by Beijing and Taipei reflected in handling of outbreak

20200316 Taiwan 1990

Students at a sit-in at a downtown park in Taipei display signatures supporting a pro-democracy campaign on March 20, 1990. © AP

CHRIS HORTON, Contributing writer

TAIPEI -- Thirty years ago this week, thousands of students occupied a vast square in their capital to demand democracy from an unpopular Chinese regime. Other members of society joined the protesters, swelling their numbers and increasing pressure on an ossified and out-of-touch government that some feared would resort to violence.

But this was not Beijing in 1989. It was Taipei in 1990.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.