TrendSphere – the first post:
In this blog, my writing has primarily been a mix of creative essays and technical tutorials. However, reflecting on the vast knowledge I’ve accumulated through my internet explorations, I realize most of it has remained internalized, rarely shared with the wider world. Lately, I’ve felt somewhat stagnant in my blog writing, leading me to believe that now might be the perfect time to embark on a new phase in my writing journey – focusing on current global events.
The new series, TrendSphere, aims to delve into ongoing developments in various parts of the world, offering insights through my perspective.
The inaugural post of TrendSphere will focus on our neighbors, Taiwan and China. In the 90s and 2000s, the trend was for students from the greater China region to flock to Japan to access Asia’s most advanced education. However, this trend seems to be reversing now. Let’s explore this shift among Japanese youth and examine China’s escalating influence in the tech world.
Taiwanese universities gain tractions from Japan and the US:
As the popularity of Mandarin Chinese increases, many high school students in Pacific democracies are setting their sights on universities in Taiwan. Among these students, those from Japan are particularly noteworthy due to their cultural closeness to the island nation. A key reason for their interest in studying abroad in Taiwan, as I previously mentioned, is to develop proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.
Furthermore, according to some parents, pursuing higher education in Taiwan can be more cost-effective than in Tokyo. The tuition fees at universities in Tokyo are significantly higher, often comparable to the cost of luxury brand watches.
In addition to students from Japan, American students are also increasingly choosing Taiwan as a destination for their education. This trend presents a potential win-win situation, given Taiwan’s ongoing struggle with a low birth rate. The influx of international students could provide a much-needed boost to Taiwan’s educational institutions while offering these students valuable educational opportunities.
My take:
With China’s emergence as a prominent player in the global context, it’s become increasingly difficult to overlook its influence in international affairs. In light of this, acquiring proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is becoming essential for individuals living in the 21st century. Additionally, from a software engineer’s perspective, the significance of Mandarin extends into the tech industry. This is evident as some libraries in coding languages now include documentation written in Mandarin Chinese, highlighting the industry’s recognition of China’s growing technological influence.
The surge of Chinese Influence in tech:
To explore how Mandarin Chinese ties into China’s rise in the tech world, let’s consider the Linux Foundation’s membership, particularly its Platinum and Gold members. The reason for focusing on Linux here is straightforward. As you might guess, this blog primarily revolves around Linux and technology, with a particular emphasis on Open Source Operating Systems. Therefore, it’s natural and relevant to mention aspects related to Linux in this context, especially when discussing the global influence of tech giants, some of which are undoubtedly involved with the Linux Foundation.
Chinese tech firms listed in the memberships are:
- Huawei
- Tencent
- Baidu
- WeBank
Linux Foundation members help support the development of shared technology resources, while accelerating their own innovation through open source leadership and participation in some of the world’s most successful open source projects.
Linux Foundation