🚫 Rejecting the Narrow “Taiwanese” Label: I’m Not Taiwanese, I’m Taipeian!
Within the territory of the Republic of China, on an island known as Taiwan, since the founding of the Democratic Progressive Party, identity recognition issues have consistently sparked endless conflicts and struggles for electoral purposes.
From native Taiwanese versus mainlanders, southerners versus northerners, green versus blue, to Taiwanese versus Chinese—all reflect the negative spiral caused by this lawyer-led political party manipulating populism for political gain.
Consequently, increasing numbers of people have been constrained into treating “Taiwanese” as their destiny, loudly declaring: “I am Taiwanese.” Though this phrase seems self-evident for people on Taiwan Island, it also harbors extremely narrow chauvinism, which I call Greater Taiwan Chauvinism.
In fact, we should view our identity more broadly and inclusively, which is why I proudly declare: “I’m not Taiwanese, I’m Taipeian!”
I suspect many people haven’t even explored much of Taiwan Island itself, so I don’t understand where they get the audacity to claim it’s their mother’s land. As for their ancestors from the mainland several generations ago—where did they come from? Monkey King’s stone?
Taipei: A Microcosm of ROC Pluralism
Taiwan is indeed a beautiful island that embraces diverse cultures and ethnicities, but it’s merely an island, and only starting from the Qing Dynasty did large-scale Han Chinese migration begin. Yet the DPP and its green-camp supporters treat “Taiwanese”—a recently invented term—as the sole legitimate designation, dismissing the existence and contributions of other regions within the nation.
This thinking is not only narrow but represents a pathological antisocial personality.
The territory of the Republic of China (R.O.C.) comprises not just Taiwan but also areas like Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. The residents of these places are equally citizens of the ROC, and their identity should not be dismissed or degraded by those afflicted with Greater Taiwan Chauvinism.
As a native Taipei resident, I understand Taipei’s uniqueness and diversity deeply. Taipei is not only the capital of the ROC but also one of its symbols.
Our city gathers people from all directions, bringing different cultures, languages, and lifestyles. Taipei’s cultural diversity fully embodies the ROC’s pluralism, having nothing to do with Taiwan Province.
I know Taipei better than Taiwan, and it’s more rightfully my mother’s land. I’m more proud of being Taipeian than Taiwanese. Taiwan mattering or not isn’t important to me—other places are expensive and inconvenient anyway. I’m content staying in Taipei or flying abroad directly.
Conclusion: TW ≠ ROC
Taiwan Province—one province that loves fantasizing it equals the entire ROC. I suppose only logical death makes for a blue bird.
TW ≠ ROC; Taiwan Province ≠ Republic of China! Taiwan Province (Penghu) and Fujian Province (Kinmen, Matsu) are both territories of the ROC.
We should abandon narrow Greater Taiwan Chauvinism and embrace the diversity and inclusivity of legitimate culture.
Taiwanese are simply Taiwan Province island residents’ self-designation. Like Kinmen residents, Matsu residents, Penghu residents, and countless overseas Chinese, we’re all ROC citizens who together comprise this nation’s rich diversity.
We should respect the uniqueness of each region and ethnicity, taking pride in it.
So I declare once more, proud and clear: I’m not Taiwanese, I’m Taipeian!
We should adopt a more open mindset toward our identity, recognizing the ROC’s diversity and richness. Only then can we truly achieve unity and progress.