Asking on the Streets of Finland "Why Does Taiwan Matter?" — Young People's Answers Surprised Me!

The host randomly interviewed local young people on the streets of Helsinki, Finland, exploring Taiwan's value in international politics, the semiconductor supply chain, and as an independent nation, while sharing interactions and observations between Finland and Taiwan regarding politics, economics, and countering Chinese propaganda.

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Full transcript:

Do you think do you think Taiwan is important? Of course it's important. Why do you think so? It's a country, there are people there. It's a country, there are people there. Do you think do you think Taiwan is important? Of course it's important. Why do you think so? It's it's it's a country. There is people. It's it's it's a country. There is people.

So I heard you say "Taiwan." Yes. Do you know anything else about Taiwan? Other than the national flag? That was quick. How did you know that flag? That's not a very famous flag. I know every single flag of every country. Wow. He studied them like that when he was very young. Is every Finn this smart? No, at least not me. No, no, it's not like that. Okay. Do you know anything else about Taiwan? It's really impressive that you know this. Well, I know about the political situation. Also, I know Taiwan's geography. Political situation, um, what what kind of political situation? The political situation regarding UN membership, and regarding China. Oh. Everything like that. I I've read about military matters and things like Asian security. So that that is a huge part, cross-strait relations are a huge part of it.

Do you think do you think Taiwan is important? Of course it's important. Why do you think so? It's a country, there are people there. That's why it's important. I know, but you know in the United States, when I ask the same question, people say oh it's the supply chain. Yes, of course. It's also important because of the chips. Well said, yes. That's, that's of course important because of the chips. You know more about these as products, about chips, computer chips. But yes, because they are, I think the biggest computer chip manufacturer. That makes sense, and TSMC, yes. Because they are an ally of the West. This certainly makes sense, in terms of things like international politics. But, yes, it's an important country to the West, in confronting China and competing with China. And it's an important country because it's a country, and there are people there. And its culture is very interesting. I haven't been there yet, but oh, you should visit. Yes, yeah. You should go. We will visit someday.

And relations between Finland, Finland and Taiwan have very good relations, and they are developing because Finland just joined NATO. And there are many things, Taiwan is researching and learning many things from Finland. The same goes for the Finnish side; Finland is learning from Taiwan how to target, for example, propaganda coming from China, like AI-assisted propaganda, things like that. I know Taiwan's Ambassador to Finland, Freddy Lim. Yes. And he's a heavy metal star. He's a very, very good person. And he just, Taiwanese politicians have visited Finland, and a very large Finnish delegation went to Taiwan. So I'm very glad to see the relationship between these countries. That's really great to hear.

Are you from the United States? Uh no, I'm from Poland. Oh, you're from Poland? Okay. Poland, yeah, but I go to the US very often. I'll be working there later, in the second half of this year. Okay, that's cool. I used to live in Taiwan, and my wife is Taiwanese, so. Oh, interesting. Are you a journalist? I'm an independent journalist. I'm a human rights researcher. I got my PhD in the UK, so. Do you make videos on YouTube or something like that? Yes, I do, I do, I do. My channel already has 300,000 subscribers. More than 300,000, yeah. Yeah, but I make them all in Mandarin. In Chinese, for Taiwanese people to watch. Basically talking about European politics, American politics. Yeah. And on one hand, I try to get more Europeans as well as people in the US to know about Taiwan. Yeah. And on the other hand, I try to help Taiwanese people better understand what is happening on the other side of the world. That sounds very useful and interesting. It really is, but it's very hard work. Those algorithms are brutal. And if you criticize China, oh my god.

Yeah. What kind of responses have you heard here about Taiwan? Ah, very positive. Yeah. I, I even, so I hope so. And over there, I had a couple—the guy was from Georgia, and the girl was from Russia. They were both very supportive. So no, no fucking empire should, should try to invade anyone else. So when it comes to the people and the government, the people are much, I don't really, much better than their government. Yeah, that's true. Very. Great, a great day. You're the tenth, so you're my, my last guest. Yeah. I, I ran out of gifts, but I have a nice one. It doesn't matter, this, this is a political thing. It says on it: "If the Kuomintang does not fall, Taiwan will never be good." Sorry? If the Kuomintang, the Chinese Nationalist Party, if they don't fall, Taiwan will never get better. This, uh, they, yeah, like last year, there were massive protests there. Yeah. So you can, you can keep it as a historical souvenir, because there's nothing quite like that. Uh, but it's political. It's very. Of course, but that's very cool. Yeah, you can just wear it as a headband. You, you know the Kuomintang—I think it will fit on me, but it, it will, it will be displayed somewhere in my house, because it's very cool. Yeah. But you know, the Kuomintang is a party that came from China, and they support, they support unification. Yeah, I, I studied a lot of history and politics, political science, so. Yeah, yeah, so there, I should study it a bit more.

Are you guys students here in Finland, or are you already working? Uh, I work myself. I'm currently working as a security guard. Okay, okay, nice. And I also do some photography stuff. Sony or Canon? I personally use Fujifilm. Okay, okay, yeah, yeah, that really is a niche. I started out using Canon, my mom's camera, a Canon. Then, after I was discharged from the military, I switched to Fujifilm. Okay, I'm on team Sony. Oh, really. When I was in the military, I used a Canon camera. I was media personnel. I used cameras there, that's right. So, would you say you were a military journalist? Uh, more like a photographer, yeah. Okay, wow. We were just responsible for taking photos and then sending them out to the journalists, and they would finish the subsequent work, like carrying it forward, that's right. Great, great, great, great. Okay, thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you very much.

And I, I love Finland. Yes. I love Finland. It is a wonderful country. Have you been here before? Welcome to Finland. Thank you, thank you very much. I hope one day, you can visit Taiwan. It is a beautiful country, and the food is great. But one piece of advice: just go in the autumn or winter. Because the summer is really too torturous. It can reach around 40 degrees Celsius, very humid. You won't be able to sightsee properly, because it feels like being roasted. Yes, I believe that would be the case. Winter, autumn, maybe early summer, it is very comfortable. Taiwan is ranked very high on my list. I want to go, uh, my, my dream is to travel to every country in the world. So Taiwan ranks very high on my list, when I, when you visit Japan, you can actually drop by, go there from Japan. Yeah. Plane tickets are quite cheap, between uh, between Tokyo and Taipei. Great, because I, I, I think I am planning, maybe a business trip next spring, a business trip to Japan. Okay. Maybe there will be time to go, and then try to venture outside of Taipei City. Of course. Taipei City is the least representative of Taiwan, and its culture. So I already understand that. And I actually I it, not long ago I watched, a TV drama shot in Tai- Taiwan. Taiwanese, or? Not Taiwanese. It was an American production. Uh, it was like, um, it was not a TV drama. It was on YouTube. Uh, but it was like a travel show. Okay. Uh, they were there, uh, in different places, uh, competing, uh, traveling around the whole country. So it was a, a good show, a good show. At least I hope so. Introducing Taiwan's countryside and culture. Yes, and going up into the mountains, to see the Indigenous groups. Because the culture there is completely different from the major cities. Yes. Because they are uh they are Austronesian peoples, genetically they are closer to Native Americans. Yes, to Indigenous peoples, and to Inuits as well. Yes. Compared to East Asians like Chinese and Japanese. Have a wonderful day. Taiwanese. Yes, yes. They are very interesting. That is of course. Thank you. Thank you guys, thank you everyone. Nice to meet you. Have a wonderful day, have a wonderful day. Thank you, thank you.

So I've heard you say it's Taiwan. Yeah. Do you know anything about Taiwan anything else other than the flag? It's quick. How do you know the flag? It's not a well-known flag. I know every flag of every country. Wow. He studied them like when he was very young. Is every Finnish person that smart? No not me at least. Not not not that way. Okay. Do you know anything else about Taiwan? It's very impressive that you know. Well I know about political situation. And well I know about the geography of Taiwan. Political situation well what what kind of political situation? the political situation regarding UN membership and regarding China. Oh. Everything like that. I I studied. Military and like like safety of Asia. So that that's that's a big part. Taiwan-China relations are a big part of. Do you think do you think Taiwan is important? Of course it's important. Why do you think so?

it's a country. There is people. That's that's why it's important. I know but you know in the United States when I'm asking the same question people are saying oh it's supply chain. Yeah of course. It's also important because of the chips. Beautifully said yeah. It's, it's of course important because of the chips. You know more about those as a product about chips computer chips. But yeah about because they are I think the biggest manufacturer of computer chips. That's a meaningful and. TSMC yeah. Because they are an ally of West. That's meaningful of course in in like International politics. but yeah, it's an important country for the West. Regarding China and competing with China. And it's an important country because it's a country and there is people. And it's an in- interesting culture. I haven't been there yet but. Oh you should visit. Will will be. You should. We'll visit someday. And the relationships between Finland and Taiwan are very good and they're developing because Finland just joined NATO. And there is a lot of, there are a lot of things that Taiwan is studying and learning from Finland. And same thing with Finland is learning from Taiwan how to target for example propaganda coming from China like AI facilitated propaganda this kind of stuff. I know the ambassador of Taiwan to Finland Freddy Lim. Yeah. And he is a heavy metal star. He is a great great guy. And he is just. There were Taiwanese politicians visiting Finland and there was a very big Finnish delegation to Taiwan. So it's I'm very happy to see the relationships between countries. That's nice to hear. You are from USA? Uh no I'm from Poland. Oh you're from Poland?

Okay. Poland yeah, but I go to the US pretty often and I will be working there later this year.

Okay yeah, that's cool.

And I used to live in Taiwan. My wife is Taiwanese so...

Oh interesting. Are you a journalist?

I'm an independent journalist. I'm a human rights researcher. I have PhD from England so...

Do you like do videos on YouTube or?

I do I do I do I do. My channel is 300,000 subscribers already. More than 300,000 yeah.

Yeah and, but I'm doing it in Mandarin Chinese for Taiwanese people. Basically talking about European politics, American politics.

Yeah.

And on the one hand, I'm trying to let more people in Europe and in the US know about Taiwan.

Yeah.

And on the other hand, I'm trying to make Taiwanese more acquainted to what's going on in the other side of the world.

That sounds like very useful and interesting.

It is, but it's tough. With those algorithms are brutal. And if you're critical of China, oh my god.

Yeah.

What kind of answers have you heard here about Taiwan?

Ah very positive.

Yeah, even... So I would hope so. And I have there, there was a couple. The guy was from Georgia and the girl was from Russia. And they were so supportive. So not, not any bloody empire should try to invade anyone else. So talking about peoples and the governments, people are much more... I don't much better than their governments are.

Yeah that's true. That's true.

Very. Great great day. You're tenth, so you're my, my final guest.

Yeah.

I've, I'm out of gifts, but I have a good... It's a, okay, it's, it's a political thing. It says, if KMT doesn't fall, Taiwan will never be good.

Sorry?

If KMT, the Kuomintang Party, if they don't fall, Taiwan will never become good.

This, uh, they, yes, like last year there were mass protests there.

Yeah.

So it's you can hold it as historical memorabilia because there is not a single thing like that.

Uh, but it's political. It's very...

Of course, but that's very cool. That's very cool.

Yeah, you, you just wear it as a headband.

You, you know KMT?

I think it is in my fit, but, it, it will be somewhere on display in my home because it's very cool.

Yeah.

But you know KMT, the party that came from China and they pro, they're pro-unification?

Yeah, I, I've studied a lot of history and political sciences so.

Yeah, yeah, so there. I should study more.

Are you guys students here in, in Finland or do, do you work already?

Uh, I'm working myself. I am as a security guard right now.

Okay, okay good.

And I do photography stuff.

Sony or Canon?

I use Fujifilm myself.

Okay, okay, yeah, yeah, that's, that's niche.

I started with Canon, uh, my mom's camera Canon and then I switched to Fujifilm after my military service.

Okay, I, I'm a Sony guy.

Oh yeah.

I was, I used Canon's cameras in military service. I was a media person. I used cameras there, yeah.

Okay, so you're like military journalist?

Uh photographer is more like, yeah.

Okay, wow.

We just like took the photos and sent them to the journalist who did the job like continued it, yeah.

Great great great great.

Alrighty, thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you so much.

And I, I love Finland. Yeah, I love Finland. It's a great country.

Have you here. Welcome to Finland.

Thank you, thank you so much. And I hope that one day you will be able to visit Taiwan. It's a beautiful country, very good food. But one suggestion, just go in, uh, in the fall or in the winter. Because summers are just brutal. It will be like 40 Celsius, very humid. You won't be able to do much sightseeing because it's scorchingly hot.

Yeah, I can believe so.

Winters, fall, maybe early summer, very comfortable. Taiwan is quite high on my list. I'm going to, uh, my, my dream is to visit every country in the world. So Taiwan is quite high on my list when I'm...

When you go to Japan, you can actually go, go there from Japan.

Yeah.

Plane tickets are pretty cheap between, uh, between Tokyo and Taipei.

Good to know, because I'm, I'm, I think I'm planning maybe next spring to go on a work trip to Japan.

Okay.

There might be, might be time for that.

And try going out of Taipei City.

Of course.

Taipei City is the least representative of Taiwan and its culture.

So I have understood.

And Iactually I, it, it wasn't a long time I watched TV series that was filmed in Tai-, Taiwanese, or?

Not Taiwanese. It's an American production. Uh it's like an um it's not a TV series, it's in YouTube. Uh but it's like a travel show. Okay. Uh where they uh in in different places uh compete uh traveling around the country. So it was a a good a good show. I hope so at least, to show Taiwanese countryside and culture. Yeah and also go to the mountains and see the indigenous tribes. Because the culture there is totally different from from the big cities. Yeah. Because they are uh they're Austro-Nesian. They're closer ethnically to to Native Americans. To to indigenous to to Inuit people even. Yeah. Than to East Asians like Chinese Japanese. Have a nice day. Taiwanese. Yeah yeah. They're very interesting. That is that is of course. Thank you, thank you guys. Very nice to meet you. Enjoy the day enjoy the day. Thank you thank you.

A while ago, I traveled to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, to attend the Europe-Taiwan Association annual meeting, and by chance ran into two young Finnish locals on the street. I originally just wanted to have a casual chat, but to my surprise, one of them not only recognized the national flag of Taiwan, but also possessed a certain understanding of Taiwan's political situation, cross-strait relations, and even the security situation in Asia. So I asked him a question: Do you think Taiwan is important? Why? I originally thought he might be like many Americans, answering in terms of TSMC, semiconductors, or Taiwan's strategic position. To my surprise, his initial reaction caught me completely off guard and left a deep impression on me. How exactly does this young Finnish man view Taiwan? And in Northern Europe, so far away from Taiwan, how many people truly understand the situation we face? Today, let's take a look at this fascinating street conversation.

After watching this interview, what I found most thought-provoking was this young Finnish man's response regarding Taiwan's importance. We often hear the international community discuss Taiwan's semiconductors, Taiwan's strategic position, or the competition between the US and China. These are of course very important, but is Taiwan's value really just based on what we can provide to the world? I really liked this Finnish friend's answer: because Taiwan is a country, because people live here, Taiwan is inherently important. Sometimes the simplest truth is precisely what is most easily overlooked by the complex calculations of international politics. I wonder what your thoughts are on his answer? Feel free to leave a comment below, and don't forget to subscribe to our channel Hardcore News. See you next time.

A while ago I went to Finland to Helsinki, the capital, for the European Taiwan Association conference, and happened to run into two young Finns on the street. At first I just wanted to have a casual chat. I never expected that one of them not only knew Taiwan's national flag, but also had a certain understanding of Taiwan's political situation, cross-strait relations, and even the security situation in Asia. So I asked him one question. Do you think Taiwan is important? Why? I had assumed he might be like a lot of Americans, and answer in terms of TSMC, semiconductors, or Taiwan's strategic position. But his first reaction really caught me off guard and left a deep impression on me. How exactly does this young Finn see Taiwan? And in Northern Europe, so far away from Taiwan, how many people truly understand the situation we face? Today I'll take everyone to watch this interesting street conversation.

After watching this interview, I think what is most worth reflecting on is this young Finnish man's answer regarding the importance of Taiwan. We often hear the international community discuss Taiwan's semiconductors, Taiwan's strategic position, or the competition between the US and China. Of course, these are all very important, but does Taiwan's value only come from what we can provide to the world? I really like this Finnish friend's answer: Because Taiwan is a country. Because there are people living here. So Taiwan has always been important. Sometimes the simplest truth is instead the easiest for international politics to overlook amid all those complicated calculations. I wonder what everyone thinks of his answer. Feel free to leave a comment below. And don't forget to subscribe to our News Hardcore. We'll see you there.