Thus another trend favored Taiwan. This trend could perhaps be slowed or reversed if China would democratize. China, in fact, is democratizing. It has held local elections. It has upgraded its legal system.
People are more free to speak, to move, and to associate with others.
There is progress in many realms. But the pace is slow. It is too slow given the fact that comparisons are made with Taiwan. That lead will be hard to cut. It won't be for many years.