Meanwhile in Taiwan, it doesn’t really matter if one is a tourist, immigrant, expat, exchange student or whatever: Everyone is a “foreigner” 
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I want airport e-Gates to say: 歡迎回家，外國人
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It would be the most appropriate wouldn’t it.
Not similar looking Asians, it’s funny how the conversations flip. To be fair it’s more a misuse of their native tongue, usually simlle ignorance/education related, pretty much never malicious. If corrected, they understand the differences in words and what they mean.
On a similar note for the original title and use if English words, out of curiously (didn’t read the whole thread) what was the argument that white people aren’t/can’t be immigrants? The word immigrant is based on nationality, not race…?
The argument is that white people choose to call themselves expats. This is white supremacy and a microaggression.
Alright let’s change it to flexpats. OWN IT
I’m Taiwanese and white. I’m not from the Causcus though.
There definitely seems to be some bubble of foreigners living in Taiwan or abroad in other countries who hold very anti-immigrant / anti-immigration sentiments - all while maintaining the belief that their situation is completely different because they’re “expats” (and therefore good) and everyone coming to their home country is an immigrant (and therefore bad).
In that context, “immigrants” are often stereotyped as people who create problems, cause issues etc. - while “expats” bring knowledge, education, …
But I’d still argue that this is a very specific interpretation of those two terms and not everyone talking about themselves as an “expat” necessarily wants to imply some sort of superiority / inferiority connotation.
Back in the day, white people (Europeans) would temporarily be “on assignment” to oversee the colonies and their slaves. They had no intention of staying long-term or immigrating.
Immigrant vs expat is not based on race or nationality, but rather money. It just so happens white countries tend to have more money.
There are plenty of Indian expats working in Hsinchu. No intention to stay long term. But a 22 year old Indian masters student in Taiwan trying to leave India? Most people would consider him an immigrant.
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I consider any westerners who have been living here on APRC Taiwanese.Thats just me though. I will also back them if unjustly treated to my abilities. As I said I’m white Taiwanese .
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I agree with you. I was just sharing the origins.
Chinese people in Canada call Canadians waiguoren. It isn’t a misuse of the language, and it is used generically for all foreign groups. Overseas Chinese populations are still Chinese. If a specific nationality is known, it can be used. On this point, I have found Taiwan and mainland China to be consistent.
For thousands of years, the Middle Kingdom sat under the shadow of heaven and were surrounded by outside country people. The ROC was still very much China under the KMT regime until what, the 90s?
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How many of them have new citizenship and no plan to return home? I think there is a reasonable distinction and it has been tainted by social justice writers.
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I met a Caucasian guy who was born here as his parents were in COG. He could hardly speak English.He has no home other than Taiwan. He now repairs motorcycles. I lost touch but somewhere in the Gonguan area. Yes, a minority but they are about.
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I used to know a guy who was the son of missionaries. Blonde hair, blue eyes, born (well, born in Taiwan) and raised Taiwanese. His English was OK, but he had really bad anger management issues.
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Mine’s a gin and tonic, Giovanni 
Social justice writers are highly selective about self-identity.
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Not surprised 
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We should just stick with the word alien.
Anyone heard from @yyy lately?