From: li@sicvax.enet.dec.com (Tong-Kang Li)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.taiwan
Subject: Re: Question about TI
Date: 2 Sep 92 17:28:40 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <1992Sep2.012328.7757@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, pchang@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Pei-Yuan Chang) writes...
> OK, let me get this straight: I wrote a long paper this qaurter about TW
>arousing discussions on TI in the class.  I'm just curious about the following
>statement in the whole TI idea: why "mainlanders" should be kicked out of the
>island after TI?

Dont take that seriously or get scared. Whoever said that must be a very 
frustrated and unhappy person. Most TIers are rational.

> Some of my friends said that it's only a kind of political appealing.  Well, I
>am not so optimistic.  Both of my parents are "mainlanders", coming to TW
>around 1949, so I am surely a "pure mainlander".  Am I?  I was born in TW and
>had lived there for over 20 years.  Shouldn't I be a Taiwanese?  I love TW and
>have no feeling for the Mainland China, so how can I be regarded as a
>mainlander (or ex-provine)?

Mainland China calls all visitors from Taiwan as Taiwanese. I guess we are. :-)

Seriously, former President Chiang Jing-Kuo once told his best Taiwanese 
friends that "I have been living in Taiwan more than 30 years, I think I am 
Taiwanese too." I think We all have to think about this statement.

I think most Mainland Chinese on Taiwan have already felt that Taiwan is 
their homelands. Certainly some of them have emotional ties with China which 
is understandable. Just like we have been in the U.S. for years, (some of
us have become U.S. citizens) but we are still concerned and interested in 
on-going events in Taiwan.

Recently an organization called "WSR for Taiwan Independence Association" 
has been formed in Taipei. Most members are the 2nd generation of Mainland 
Chinese, they called themseleves as "1st generation of Taiwanese". 
Interesting development!

> The only thing makes me so "different" is my "terrible" pronunciation of
>Tiawanese (however, I can speak fluent Taiwanese while saying dirty words, ha!)
>and the time my parents came to TW, which was 200 years late than the ancestors
>of those so-called "pure Taiwanese".

I think Mainland Chinese on Taiwan should consider to learn Taiwanese at 
least some basic words. Because Taiwanese is a popular language as Mandarin 
in Taiwan.

> I just got the following feelings: some TI supporters think that ex-province
>people equal to the KMT.  Oh, my god!  Kill me please!

During 50's to 70's people on Taiwan were living under the fear of KMT 
political repression. Anyone, no matter BSR or WSR dared speaking out 
against KMT and her government usually will end up either in jail or if 
lucky in exile. We all were victims once. 

But KMT is changing and today it is just one of major political parties in
Taiwan. She has made mistakes but not all.

As for TI, there was historial background for the cause, it was painful 
experience of 228 incident (many of us never heard about until recently)
and resentments towards KMT policy. It was the time that most high ranked 
government positions were occupied by WSR officials, also the language 
policy, etc. But most of them are history. FYI, Some memoirs have been 
published recently give these in details.

Everyone in Taiwan has rights for his/her political beliefs, e.g., TI, 
reunification, ROC, ROT, capitalism, socialism, etc. There are all possible 
options. But Taiwan security and people interest should come first, after 
all, we are all on the same boat.

I am optimistic about Taiwan. 

Tom
Xref: sparky soc.culture.taiwan:12493 soc.culture.korean:4010