History is the memory of human civilization. However, when this memory is deliberately distorted—even edited at will by “random individuals” on the internet who then prohibit others from correcting it—history becomes a vehicle for lies. Taiwan’s history spans prehistoric, Dutch, Spanish, Ming Zheng, Qing Dynasty, and Japanese periods, yet it has become an object of manipulation by some under the banner of strengthening “local consciousness.”
This article explores the causes of these lies, specific cases, and the cultural and political motives behind them. It reveals historical truths—including doubts about the “indigenous” status of Austronesian peoples, the particularities of the Stone Age, the demographic reality of the 16th century and earlier, and the misuse of genetic research.
📖 Table of Contents
- 📖 Table of Contents
- Defining Lies: Motives and Methods of Distorting History
- Prehistory and Early History: The Non-Indigenous Status of Austronesians and the Truth of the Stone Age
- Demographic Realities of the 17th Century and Earlier: Slow Growth from Hundreds to 40,000
- Misuse of Genetic Research: The Truth About the Origins of Austronesian Peoples
- Reshaping History during the Colonial Period: Absurd Adulation from the Dutch to the Japanese
- The Role of Wikipedia: An Amplifier for Lies
- Conclusion: Restoring the Truth of History
- References
Defining Lies: Motives and Methods of Distorting History
What constitutes a lie? In a historical context, a lie is not just a false statement of fact, but a deliberate concealment or adaptation of the truth for a specific purpose.
On the island of Taiwan, some people, in order to strengthen local identity, have attempted to rewrite history, beautifying past colonizers, exaggerating non-existent regimes, or even fabricating non-existent events.
These actions spread rapidly through the open editing mechanisms of online platforms such as Wikipedia¹. Even more concerning is that these editors often, in the name of “localization,” prohibit others from making modifications, leading to fallacies being solidified as “truth.”
Case in Point: Claiming that Keelung City was once the “capital” of Taiwan is a grotesque distortion of historical fact. Keelung has never served as Taiwan’s administrative center in history; such a lie reflects the intentions of certain individuals trying to reshape local identity.
Prehistory and Early History: The Non-Indigenous Status of Austronesians and the Truth of the Stone Age
Taiwan’s prehistoric period spans from the late Paleolithic to the Metal Age, giving rise to rich remains such as the Changbin, Tapenkeng, Yuanshan, and Shisanhang cultures. However, behind these cultural remains lies a more complex history of ethnic transition and truth.
1. The Non-Indigenous Status of Austronesian Peoples
Traditional views often regard Austronesian-speaking peoples as the “indigenous” people of Taiwan, but archaeological and genetic research shows that Austronesians were not the earliest inhabitants of the island.
Before the arrival of Austronesians in Taiwan (around 4000 BC), a group known as the “Little Black People” (Negritos) already lived here. These short-statured, dark-skinned groups were distributed from Southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands.
However, with the expansion of the Austronesians, these Negritos were massacred or assimilated, resulting in Taiwan becoming an ethnic fault line between the Philippines and Hokkaido. Almost no direct archaeological evidence of the Negritos remains on the island of Taiwan; this prehistoric tragedy was covered up by later Austronesian cultures, becoming a blank page in history.
2. Technical Gaps in the Stone Age
Taiwan’s “Stone Age” is also different from general perceptions. Due to the island’s geographic isolation, the technical development of the Stone Age was delayed by thousands of years compared to the mainland.
When mainland China had already entered the Neolithic (around 7000 BC) or even the Bronze Age, Taiwan’s prehistoric culture still remained in the Paleolithic stage of chipped stone tools and hunting, with Neolithic technology only gradually appearing around 3000 BC. This time difference allows some to exaggerate the “uniqueness” of prehistoric cultures while ignoring the technical gap with the mainland.
3. The Fiction of the ‘Kingdom of Dagwen’
Taking the “Kingdom of Dagwen” (or Kingdom of Taccari) as an example, some literature claims it was a “feudal quasi-kingdom” established by the Southern Paiwan people. However, academic data shows that Dagwen was not a physical political regime but a loose alliance of leaders, similar to the symbolic role of family elders. Fragments of European accounts have been exaggerated into a “kingdom” without archaeological or documentary evidence to support it. This exaggerated narrative attempts to shape the scattered settlements of Austronesian peoples into a centralized polity, which both contradicts historical fact and ignores the true value of Austronesian culture.
Demographic Realities of the 17th Century and Earlier: Slow Growth from Hundreds to 40,000
When Europeans (mainly the Portuguese and Spanish) first arrived in Taiwan in the 17th century, the Austronesian population on the island was estimated to be only about 40,000, scattered across tribal settlements in various locations.
This population scale and distribution pattern meant that Taiwan at the time lacked the modern concepts of “land” or “nation.” Austronesian society was based on small family tribes, lacking a unified political power or sense of territory between them.
Population Growth Model Estimation²
Tracing back through population growth models, it can be inferred that the migration of Austronesians in larger numbers (approximately 200 to 500 people) from the southeast coast of China to Taiwan likely occurred much later than the traditionally assumed 4000 BC.
| Initial Population | Annual Growth Rate | Time Required to Reach 40,000 | Migration Start Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 people | 0.3% - 0.5% | Approx. 1060 to 1766 years | 116 BC to 590 AD |
| 500 people | 0.3% - 0.5% | Approx. 876 to 1461 years | 189 AD to 774 AD |
These estimations suggest that the migration of Austronesian peoples may have been concentrated around 1000 BC or later, much later than traditional understanding.
This later migration time reflects the fact that Austronesians were not the earliest inhabitants of the island. Some narratives attempt to depict Taiwan during this period as an organized “political entity,” which is undoubtedly an attempt to construct a fictional historical foundation for modern local identity.
Misuse of Genetic Research: The Truth About the Origins of Austronesian Peoples
In recent years, genetic research has been used by some to “prove” the uniqueness of Taiwanese people, claiming that “all Taiwanese have indigenous genes” to emphasize local identity. However, this discourse is full of logical confusion and scientific fallacy.
- Insufficient Samples and Overlap: The sample sizes of related studies are often insufficient, lacking rigorous statistical representation. Furthermore, the genes of Austronesian peoples partially overlap with Han Chinese genes, which is simply the result of long-term exchange between Southeast Asian and coastal Chinese populations.
- Concealing Origin Facts: The claim that “Taiwanese all have indigenous genes” to distinguish them from mainland Han Chinese ignores the fact that the Austronesian peoples themselves migrated from the mainland (approximately 3000-4000 years ago from the Guangdong and southern Fujian regions).
This narrative attempts to construct a fictional “pure Taiwanese” image while covering up the complex history of ethnic fusion. More ironically, such genetic discourse is often used to strengthen political stances rather than advance scientific understanding, becoming a modern variant of historical lies.
Reshaping History during the Colonial Period: Absurd Adulation from the Dutch to the Japanese
Taiwan’s colonial history began with the Dutch invasion of the south in 1624, with each period leaving deep social changes. However, some people selectively forget colonial oppression and massacres, turning instead to praise the colonizers.
- Simplification of Dutch Rule: Some narratives depict the Dutch as “enlighteners of civilization,” ignoring their exploitation and enslavement of the indigenous people.
- Beautification of the Japanese Occupation: As a colony, Taiwan was under strict Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, with both Han Chinese and indigenous people enduring economic exploitation and cultural assimilation. Yet, some descendants of the colonized praise Japan, calling it a “driver of modernization,” and even romanticize Japanese colonial rule as a “symbol of progress.”
This phenomenon has been mocked as “the greatest joke in Han history,” reflecting a rupture in historical memory and a confusion of local identity. On Wikipedia, such views are often preserved in the name of ‘neutrality,’ yet they conceal the essence of colonialism—the oppression of local culture and the looting of resources.
The Role of Wikipedia: An Amplifier for Lies
Wikipedia, as an open editing platform, should be a paragon of knowledge sharing, but its mechanisms have also become a breeding ground for the spread of lies. In entries on Taiwan’s history, some editors, in the name of “local consciousness,” add unconfirmed content, such as exaggerated descriptions of the “Kingdom of Dagwen,” the fallacy of Keelung as a “capital,” or the fiction of a 16th-century “nation.”
Even more unsettling is that these editors may use administrative protections or community pressure to prevent others from correcting errors.
This phenomenon not only distorts history but also weakens Wikipedia’s credibility. When scholars or readers attempt to make corrections, they are blocked by accusations of being “anti-local.” Such behavior not only misleads the public but also causes harm to the true history of Taiwan Island.
Conclusion: Restoring the Truth of History
Historical writing should be based on facts, not ideological manipulation. Taiwan’s thousand-year history—from the disappearance of the Negrito people and the expansion of the Austronesians to the sparsely populated tribal societies of prehistory and the 17th century—carries the memories and struggles of diverse ethnic groups. The Austronesian population grew slowly from a scale of hundreds about 4000 years ago to 40,000 in the 16th century, reflecting the strict constraints of the island environment. Distorting history to strengthen local consciousness not only fails to help unity but instead creates division and misunderstanding.
To combat online lies, we need more rigorous research based on archaeology, literature, and genetics. At the same time, the public should develop critical thinking, scrutinizing the sources and credibility of online information, and especially remaining vigilant against the political misuse of genetic research. Only in this way can Taiwan’s history emerge from the shadow of lies and become a true chapter that unites ethnic groups and inspires the future.
References
- Wikipedia Credibility Controversy: “Wikipedia” Loses Credibility: Cyber Armies Interfere and Tamper with History
- Population Growth Model Estimation: Estimating the Time of Austronesian Migration to Taiwan: Prehistoric Dynamic Analysis Based on Population Growth Models (Backtracing Indigenous Numbers in 1650 AD)
- Japanese Occupation Massacre Controversy: Secret Japanese Files: During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, 400,000 Taiwanese were massacred!! The covered-up history of the Japanese occupation era!!