– All we can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

From her home in Skjetten, Angela Juichu Wang spoke to Dagsavisen on the phone.

Taiwan has dominated the news since Nancy Pelosi’s visit, and China’s military response. The headlines of the past week have been incredible. “Will China attack?”, “China tightens its grip” and “Will not hesitate to go to war if Taiwan declares independence”. Angela Juichu Wang had read them all.

[ Dette betyr Kina militærøvelse rundt Taiwan ]

Travel to your home country to vote

Wang has lived in Norway with her husband and their two sons since 2007. Currently, both live in Skjetten outside Oslo, but after 14 years in Europe, ties to their home country are still strong.

Almost every summer, he and his family return to Taiwan to visit family and friends, but not only for vacations he goes on long trips.

Until Norway received dual citizenship, he kept his old passport, today he has two. There is one important reason for that.

– I always travel back whenever there is a presidential election. It is important for me to vote for Taiwan to strengthen its democracy and defend its independence.

Wang said he was not the only Taiwanese expat who traveled far to get involved in the island’s future.

– There are many Taiwanese who return home to vote. We stayed there for a week and then we came back to our lives again.

[ Pelosi på Taiwan: USA vil fastholde sine forpliktelser ]

Taking a positive view of international attention

Currently, Taiwan is in the list of the top ten most democratic countries in the world, and is considered one of the richest countries in Asia. But few countries recognize Taiwan as an independent state and, although it is self-governing, China demands that it submit to Chinese rule. Many worry about what will happen if China’s control of the country increases.

– Are you afraid of the future of the country?

– Of course, we’re concerned. We’ll see what happens with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many fear that Taiwan will be next. Most people I know in Taiwan are worried, but not afraid, said Wang.

After China launched military exercises around the island, after Nancy Pelosi landed in the capital Taipei, international attention exploded. Already when Pelosi was on her way, the international media followed the flight.

Last night, Chinese media reported that it was the first time a test missile was fired at Taiwan. The Japanese Ministry of Defense also stated that Chinese missiles were believed to have flown over Taiwan. This applies to four of the nine missiles Japan has registered, NTB wrote.

China began extensive exercises on Thursday, after top US politician Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. The plan, practice will last until Sunday. But little is known about what happened after that.

Happy with Pelosi’s trip

Wang, of course, knows that many media have criticized the US Congress leader’s visit, but he himself believes that the visit is important.

[ Kina trapper opp patruljering etter amerikanske besøk på Taiwan ]

– We are happy that world leaders are traveling to Taiwan. If a country wants to be safe, it must get international attention.

When Wang spoke to family and friends in Taiwan, they said that life was going on as usual. Where there is no panic in their voices. Keep calm and stay alert, they say to each other, keep calm and follow along.

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