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An increasing number of Taiwanese people want independence, but they're in no rush
By Iris Zhao
Posted 1h ago1 hours ago
Taiwanese independence has been in the global spotlight amid growing tensions with China.(Reuters: Pichi Chuang)
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abc.net.au/news/taiwan-independence-vs-unification-china-taiwanese-australians/100670574
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The fate of Domka Wang's homeland has been a point of high tension in recent months.
Key points:
Having moved to Australia in 2016, she's witnessed talk of war over Taiwan from afar, as Chinese leaders ramp up the rhetoric of "reunification" with the self-governing island.
The threat of conflict has raised the question of Taiwan's independence, but it's a complicated issue — a situation that is "more complex and fluid than at any other point in the past 72 years", President Tsai Ing-wen said.
Ms Wang is content with the status quo in Taiwan — for now.
"There is nothing wrong with letting the rest of world know Taiwan is independent, but what people care about is security and to be self-sufficient, and to have a house of our own," Ms Wang said.
"But if the political turmoil continues, how will you have a stable life?"
A Taiwanese election study led by National Chengchi University, which has tracked attitudes on unification with China versus Taiwanese independence since 1994, shows Ms Wang is not alone.
Views on Taiwan independence versus unification shows a big rise in people wanting to move towards independence (green line).(Supplied: Election Study Centre, National Chengchi University)
As of June, the survey showed the majority of Taiwanese respondents wanted to "maintain the status quo".
But in recent years there has been a significant uptick in the number of people who want to "maintain status quo, move towards independence".
Very few want a rash decision — about 5 per cent wanted "independence as soon as possible", while just 1.5 per cent wanted "unification as soon as possible".
For President Tsai, Ms Wang and many others, a formal declaration of independence isn't necessary — Taiwan already acts as a sovereign state, even if it isn't officially recognised as a country by Australia and much of the world.
'People don't really enjoy discussing politics'
Australia has a "One China" policy, where the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is recognised as the only legitimate government.
But Australia's policy only acknowledges Beijing's claim over Taiwan and does not recognise it.
China sees Taiwan as its territory. The island is self-governing although it does not have formal independence.(ABC News: GFX/Jarrod Fankhauser)
That policy also means Canberra does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Taiwan's formal name is still the Republic of China, which was brought to the island by the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which lost the civil war to the Communist Party of China (CCP).
The KMT withdrew to the island in 1949 while waiting for a chance to reclaim the mainland.
The Republic of China name has been a source of confusion — it's just one reason why Samantha Chen considers independence for Taiwan important.
Samantha Chen says the names Republic of China and People's Republic of China cause confusion.(Supplied)
The language teacher moved with her family from Taiwan to New Zealand and later to Queensland when she was a child.
She didn't know the Republic of China also referred to Taiwan until a relative of hers wrote "Taiwan, ROC" to her in letter.
"From my upbringing, I always knew I was Taiwanese. I didn't know what ROC was," she said.
Xi is gambling on war with Taiwan
When Taiwan's foreign minister warns of a fight to the end in a looming war with China, we should pay attention. Taiwan isn't waiting for mainland China to attack; as far as it is concerned, the battle has already begun.
Read more
Ms Chen said she was happy that Australia was having "a very healthy conversation" about Taiwan, but said discussions often didn't include the island's rich past.
"[But] I have also many friends [from Taiwan] who are working in China now. Some have built their family there, that's good for them," she said.
"You know, in our culture, people don't really enjoy discussing politics anyway."
Moving to Australia fosters Taiwanese identity
Mei-fen Kuo, a lecturer in contemporary Chinese history and culture at Macquarie University, has studied attitudes of first-generation Taiwanese Australian migrants.
She found that many who didn't show an obvious preference for unification or independence before became increasingly in favour of independence the longer they stayed in Australia.
Dr Kuo's research found Taiwanese migrants often became more pro-independence after moving to Australia.(Supplied)
"After they left Taiwan and knew more and more Chinese nationals, they rather tend to identify themselves as Taiwanese," Dr Kuo said.
Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, agrees.
"There could be more self-identification as Taiwanese or more pro-independence [stances in Australia] than you could see in Taiwan," Mr Sung said.
People who live in Australia are also less directly exposed to the risk of war than those who are in Taiwan, so the perceived cost of pro-independence may also not feel as immediate for them, he added.
Taiwanese Australian businessman Peter Huang, who came to Australia from Taiwan in 1989 and grew up on Sydney's north shore, said he could understand why people chose to "maintain status quo" over "independence" when the perceived consequence of independence was war.
Peter Huang would like to see the name of Taiwan's representative office in Australia changed.(Supplied)
He is pro-independence and thinks some small steps could be taken now.
For instance, he suggested Taipei's Economic and Cultural Office — which serves as a de facto consulate in Australia — could be renamed the Taiwan Office in Australia.
Australia's de facto embassy — Australian Office, Taipei (referring to Taiwan's capital city) — could be renamed Australian Office, Taiwan, he said.
He said he believed the name of Taiwan's official representative office was twisted decades ago to make China happy — by referring to the city of Taipei rather than the island of Taiwan — and it was time to "normalise" the name Taiwan.
For young people, Mr Huang said independence was more about convenience, as there was little reason for them to identify themselves as Chinese.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have dominated headlines in recent days. But how is the warlike rhetoric impacting Asian Australians?
Read more
Senior Australian politicians have waded into the Taiwan issue in recent times.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton warnedthat China would seize other territories if it successfully invaded Taiwan, and Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused Mr Dutton of amping up war with China to win votes.
Initially, Mr Huang was excited to see Taiwan getting noticed by Australians, but he's since become concerned.
"People tried to speak out for you, but at the same time, the level of tension between Taiwan and China [is worrying]," Mr Huang said.
Taiwan's status quo has shifted over time
Dr Kuo said the National Chengchi University poll might give non-Taiwanese readers a false impression that people prefer the status quo to having any change.
"When people in the West look at the poll, they might interpret it as Taiwanese don't want to change," Dr Kuo said.
In a recent display of force, China flew about 100 fighter jets into Taiwan's air defence identification zone.(AP: Taiwan Ministry of Defence)
But Taiwan has seen significant changes in recent decades — with social transformations, democratic transitions and new political dynamics, the meaning of "status quo" has also shifted.
In 2000, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election.
It was the first time the KMT, now in opposition, had lost since Japanese colonisation ended in 1945.
"The status quo for Taiwanese people has changed completely, but this is not reflected in the wording of the poll," Dr Kuo said.
What is China hoping to achieve with its sabre-rattling near Taiwan?
The People's Liberation Army of China has sent warplanes into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone on 199 days this year. Here's why.
Read more
But the status quo in China, now an emerging economic superpower, has also changed, meaning "unification" and "independence" are now understood differently too.
Political scientist Wen-Ti Sung pointed out that in another study of people's attitudes when they were given only two choices — "to become part of the People's Republic of China", or "going towards constitutional independence" — the majority preferred independence.
That is to say if they must choose, they are OK with enduring the risk of war to avoid being forced into the PRC, he said.
On Taiwan's National Day this year, President Tsai declared Taiwan would not bow to China's pressure for unification.
People of different ancestries have together "remade" Taiwan "into what it is today", she said.
She called for maintaining the status quo, adding the status quo is "peace".
www.abc.net.au
By Iris Zhao
Posted 1h ago1 hours ago
Taiwanese independence has been in the global spotlight amid growing tensions with China.(Reuters: Pichi Chuang)
Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article
abc.net.au/news/taiwan-independence-vs-unification-china-taiwanese-australians/100670574
COPY LINKSHARE
The fate of Domka Wang's homeland has been a point of high tension in recent months.
Key points:
- A poll shows the majority of Taiwanese prefer to maintain the status quo
- But many are not against the island declaring independence eventually
- Taiwanese often became more pro-independence after they migrated to Australia
Having moved to Australia in 2016, she's witnessed talk of war over Taiwan from afar, as Chinese leaders ramp up the rhetoric of "reunification" with the self-governing island.
The threat of conflict has raised the question of Taiwan's independence, but it's a complicated issue — a situation that is "more complex and fluid than at any other point in the past 72 years", President Tsai Ing-wen said.
Ms Wang is content with the status quo in Taiwan — for now.
"There is nothing wrong with letting the rest of world know Taiwan is independent, but what people care about is security and to be self-sufficient, and to have a house of our own," Ms Wang said.
"But if the political turmoil continues, how will you have a stable life?"
A Taiwanese election study led by National Chengchi University, which has tracked attitudes on unification with China versus Taiwanese independence since 1994, shows Ms Wang is not alone.
Views on Taiwan independence versus unification shows a big rise in people wanting to move towards independence (green line).(Supplied: Election Study Centre, National Chengchi University)
As of June, the survey showed the majority of Taiwanese respondents wanted to "maintain the status quo".
But in recent years there has been a significant uptick in the number of people who want to "maintain status quo, move towards independence".
Very few want a rash decision — about 5 per cent wanted "independence as soon as possible", while just 1.5 per cent wanted "unification as soon as possible".
For President Tsai, Ms Wang and many others, a formal declaration of independence isn't necessary — Taiwan already acts as a sovereign state, even if it isn't officially recognised as a country by Australia and much of the world.
'People don't really enjoy discussing politics'
Australia has a "One China" policy, where the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is recognised as the only legitimate government.
But Australia's policy only acknowledges Beijing's claim over Taiwan and does not recognise it.
China sees Taiwan as its territory. The island is self-governing although it does not have formal independence.(ABC News: GFX/Jarrod Fankhauser)
That policy also means Canberra does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Taiwan's formal name is still the Republic of China, which was brought to the island by the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which lost the civil war to the Communist Party of China (CCP).
The KMT withdrew to the island in 1949 while waiting for a chance to reclaim the mainland.
The Republic of China name has been a source of confusion — it's just one reason why Samantha Chen considers independence for Taiwan important.
Samantha Chen says the names Republic of China and People's Republic of China cause confusion.(Supplied)
The language teacher moved with her family from Taiwan to New Zealand and later to Queensland when she was a child.
She didn't know the Republic of China also referred to Taiwan until a relative of hers wrote "Taiwan, ROC" to her in letter.
"From my upbringing, I always knew I was Taiwanese. I didn't know what ROC was," she said.
Xi is gambling on war with Taiwan
When Taiwan's foreign minister warns of a fight to the end in a looming war with China, we should pay attention. Taiwan isn't waiting for mainland China to attack; as far as it is concerned, the battle has already begun.
Read more
Ms Chen said she was happy that Australia was having "a very healthy conversation" about Taiwan, but said discussions often didn't include the island's rich past.
Domka Wang said although her family is ethnically Han Chinese, they have now lived in Taiwan for generations and have no connection to China.
"[But] I have also many friends [from Taiwan] who are working in China now. Some have built their family there, that's good for them," she said.
"You know, in our culture, people don't really enjoy discussing politics anyway."
Moving to Australia fosters Taiwanese identity
Mei-fen Kuo, a lecturer in contemporary Chinese history and culture at Macquarie University, has studied attitudes of first-generation Taiwanese Australian migrants.
She found that many who didn't show an obvious preference for unification or independence before became increasingly in favour of independence the longer they stayed in Australia.
Dr Kuo's research found Taiwanese migrants often became more pro-independence after moving to Australia.(Supplied)
"After they left Taiwan and knew more and more Chinese nationals, they rather tend to identify themselves as Taiwanese," Dr Kuo said.
Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, agrees.
"There could be more self-identification as Taiwanese or more pro-independence [stances in Australia] than you could see in Taiwan," Mr Sung said.
People who live in Australia are also less directly exposed to the risk of war than those who are in Taiwan, so the perceived cost of pro-independence may also not feel as immediate for them, he added.
Taiwanese Australian businessman Peter Huang, who came to Australia from Taiwan in 1989 and grew up on Sydney's north shore, said he could understand why people chose to "maintain status quo" over "independence" when the perceived consequence of independence was war.
Peter Huang would like to see the name of Taiwan's representative office in Australia changed.(Supplied)
He is pro-independence and thinks some small steps could be taken now.
For instance, he suggested Taipei's Economic and Cultural Office — which serves as a de facto consulate in Australia — could be renamed the Taiwan Office in Australia.
Australia's de facto embassy — Australian Office, Taipei (referring to Taiwan's capital city) — could be renamed Australian Office, Taiwan, he said.
He said he believed the name of Taiwan's official representative office was twisted decades ago to make China happy — by referring to the city of Taipei rather than the island of Taiwan — and it was time to "normalise" the name Taiwan.
For young people, Mr Huang said independence was more about convenience, as there was little reason for them to identify themselves as Chinese.
How China-Taiwan tensions are impacting Australians
Tensions between Taiwan and China have dominated headlines in recent days. But how is the warlike rhetoric impacting Asian Australians?
Read more
Senior Australian politicians have waded into the Taiwan issue in recent times.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton warnedthat China would seize other territories if it successfully invaded Taiwan, and Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused Mr Dutton of amping up war with China to win votes.
Initially, Mr Huang was excited to see Taiwan getting noticed by Australians, but he's since become concerned.
"People tried to speak out for you, but at the same time, the level of tension between Taiwan and China [is worrying]," Mr Huang said.
Taiwan's status quo has shifted over time
Dr Kuo said the National Chengchi University poll might give non-Taiwanese readers a false impression that people prefer the status quo to having any change.
"When people in the West look at the poll, they might interpret it as Taiwanese don't want to change," Dr Kuo said.
In a recent display of force, China flew about 100 fighter jets into Taiwan's air defence identification zone.(AP: Taiwan Ministry of Defence)
But Taiwan has seen significant changes in recent decades — with social transformations, democratic transitions and new political dynamics, the meaning of "status quo" has also shifted.
In 2000, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election.
It was the first time the KMT, now in opposition, had lost since Japanese colonisation ended in 1945.
"The status quo for Taiwanese people has changed completely, but this is not reflected in the wording of the poll," Dr Kuo said.
What is China hoping to achieve with its sabre-rattling near Taiwan?
The People's Liberation Army of China has sent warplanes into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone on 199 days this year. Here's why.
Read more
But the status quo in China, now an emerging economic superpower, has also changed, meaning "unification" and "independence" are now understood differently too.
Political scientist Wen-Ti Sung pointed out that in another study of people's attitudes when they were given only two choices — "to become part of the People's Republic of China", or "going towards constitutional independence" — the majority preferred independence.
That is to say if they must choose, they are OK with enduring the risk of war to avoid being forced into the PRC, he said.
On Taiwan's National Day this year, President Tsai declared Taiwan would not bow to China's pressure for unification.
People of different ancestries have together "remade" Taiwan "into what it is today", she said.
She called for maintaining the status quo, adding the status quo is "peace".
Do Taiwanese people want independence? China's growing power could shift the scales
The threat of conflict has raised the question of Taiwan's independence, but it's a complicated issue. So what do Taiwanese Australians think?
www.abc.net.au
