MCLC: redefining the meaning of Chinese in Taiwan (1)

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: Terry Russell <Terry.Russell at ad.umanitoba.ca>
Subject: redefining the meaning of Chinese in Taiwan (1)
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While I endorse much of what Tatlow says about Taiwan offering an
alternative model FOR the "Chinese" state, ultimately it is the "Chinese"
part that does not stand up in the realities of present day Taiwan.
Despite the best efforts of the ruling Nationalist Party to continue the
self-serving myth that Taiwan is part of the Republic of China, opinion
polls indicate that the vast majority of Taiwanese do not consider
themselves Chinese in any nationalistic sense. A solid and growing
majority do not consider themselves to be "Chinese" even in the ethic
sense.  Asking whether Taiwan can redefine the meaning of "Chinese" is
like asking whether the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc., can
redefine the meaning of being "English".

Terry