I took it to be almost entirely tongue-in-cheek; just a humorous commentary on the superficial facade of the current iteration of modernization and the urbanized city core.

I don’t believe any of it was written to be taken too seriously.

From the article: “The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier.”

It is my understanding that Taiwan does not officially consider itself separate from China either. Rather, they hold themselves to be the true democratic government of the mainland.