On the Road to a Common Taiwan Identity

Abstract

Taiwan appears to be moving toward a common Taiwan identity despite the rapid rapprochement between Taiwan and China through cross-strait trade agreements and a closer relationship between China’s Communist party and Taiwan’s government party, the KMT. The democracy acts as a melt- ing pot and facilitates the move toward a multifaceted Taiwan identity contain- ing several identities including Chinese, Taiwanese, and aboriginal identities with Taiwan as its home. The development shows that Taiwanese distinguish economic issues from their identity. A continued deterioration in Taiwan’s democracy since the election of President Ma Ying-jeou may risk having a long- term impact on the Taiwanese identity by limiting plurality in debate, dialogue, and education. While the population moves toward a common view on the Taiwanese identity, the KMT government is constructing a Chinese national identity policy that risks alienating the vast majority of the population. Finally, the development of Taiwan’s identity through history is shortly discussed and a road toward a future common Taiwan identity is outlined.