Why do some people in Taiwan support mainland China that Taiwan?

The Taiwan people are Chinese, think Chinese and speak Chinese just like any other Chinese people. Even the native language (Hakka) is the dialect of Chinese from China's Fukien province (from where the bulk of the population originate); the religions of Taiwan are from China.

To those like TaiwanTeacher telling that Taiwanese who sides with a China is a traitor should go back to your Western countries.

These people like TaiwanTeacher are stripping Taiwan away from their original cultures.

TaiwanTeacher is the traitor due to his ignorance not Taiwanese who sides with China.

Beijing's desires for Taiwan:

*Not to become a foreign country.

*not to become a nominally "independent" nation that is in fact a military forward base for Japanese and US imperialists and a critical link in a strategic ring of containment along China's eastern seaboard.

*Beijing does not want to have to occupy Taiwan.

*Beijing don't need the hassle of being responsible for it.

*But if Taiwan independence zealots force their hand, they will act.

It's because of the long standing uncertainty of Taiwan's status. Many people simply want to identify with a country/nation, its natural. Since China shares a great deal of culture,language, and similarities with China, the choice is natural. Many elderly Taiwanese think fondly of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan because it was the last time Taiwan's status was not in doubt, it was part of something: The Japanese Empire.

Don't let a few people make you think all of Taiwan is like this. Almost 1/3 of the country feels that Taiwan is a separate country, plain and simple. The simple fact is this: The current government of mainland China has NEVER flown its flag or had governmental authority within Taiwan. Ever ever ever. This is indisputable. I've lived in Taiwan for 3 years now and I can say that most people at a minimum think of China and Taiwan as separate entities.

孫子兵法 -People here especially the KMT and their offsprings - The Waishengren-Came over in '49 with CKS - If the love the PRC so much, they should ge there immediately with their complete family as TT suggests.

Taiwanese may be of Chinese ancestry but this is their home and Country . The PRC of today has no jurisdiction over this territory whatsover, never had.

Supporting the PRC over ROC should be considered treason.

"think Chinese and speak Chinese"

They think like Taiwanese not the PRCs since their upbringing has been totally under different circumstances [the PRCs lost a generation during the Great Leap forward and the Cultural Revolution.] The Taiwanese speak Mandarin a lot "Sweeter" than any guttral Mainlander. The Taiwanese ALSO read and write Traditional Chinese not the screwed up cheat type "simplified" crap!! Lazy People Chinese!!

SOOO MUUCCHHH REEADDINNGG :D

lol

anyways,....

It is bad enough that Taiwan needs to deal with the PRC....but yes, some people are more supportive of China...

HOWEVER!!!!

It works both ways...

I believe I met a LOT OF PEOPLE who are from Mainland but support Taiwan during my dad's job (diplomat for ROC).

My views:

1. Taiwan, being a free country, everyone can have their own views...(unlike China :P)

2. Just to point out, the original goal is too reunite peacefully I think....

When both countries are democracies, they can talk it out instead of fighting it out

To point out, many people N and S Korea (I'm not really qualified to say this I guess, but it is a general feeling I get from the people I know) would like eventually reunification..

BUT!!!

"They often say that they are not Taiwanese they are Chinese, and that they think westerners (mostly the US) is trying to confuse the world that Taiwan and China are separate countries"

To those people I have to say...... GO TO THE PRC...u can go get yourself censored in a communist government....be my guest...

and it terms of "race"/immigration.....

kind of irreverent I guess

but I am Taiwanese because I am a Taiwanese citizen...

I don't think that where you're from is the important thing, but where you end up is.

Yes, if you trace back the ancestors of many people in Taiwan, they probably came from China (which technically is part of Taiwan fyi :D)

However, I thougth humans orignated from Africa....so are we all African?...

Tawian and China has enough differences....

Taiwan writes in Trad Chinese....China writies in Simp Chinese....

and a bunch of more cultural differences...

and btw,

"It seems to me that Taiwan and China are like US and UK where they were once part of the same country then they fought and now are separate in too 2 different countries. "

U're right :)

Another example (which might be better) is South and North Korea...

They have the tension between each other....just like ROC and PRC...

But North Korea can't destory South Korea while PRC can destory ROC :(

Well, those immigrants from the PRC are chinese. They werent born in Taiwan and maybe those pro china people just want to be controlled and brainwashed by their beloved commie government.

Dont listen to those people that claim the US is trying to confuse the world. Thats just basic propaganda garbage from China. The rest of the world can think for themselves and make their own judgement. Those Taiwanese that side with China can just move to china and be controlled by the commie government because they dont want what in Taiwan. And the Taiwan "original culture" is still in Taiwan. It certainly didnt come from the made up commie krap in China.

You cannot infer, from the fact that some Taiwan residents consider themselves to be ethnic Chinese, that they somehow support China over Taiwan. You will find that there is very little political support for the Peoples Republic of China in Taiwan. Or the Republic of China. Or whatever it is.

I agree with most of the answers. One point I do not agree is the comment that "The people of Mainland China and Taiwan are the same..."

China and Taiwan do share similar cultures and language but they are far from the same and are definitely not forever intertwined. This is like saying the people of UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the same, they share the same language, culture and heritage and therefore their future is forever intertwined.

And I find it surprising that people still have the notion that the bigger the size of the economy the better. Countries and cities that are consistently listed as most livable and happiest are not the largest cities or countries. Large economy does not equal better quality of life.

I support an independent Taiwan. China can have its pointless pursuit of high economic growth rate. Taiwan can maintain its freedom, liberties and its already high standard of living.

The Taiwanese that support PRC are the traitors like"Alperill" who used to operate in this section but now expelled to China section to reunite with his masters. I totally agree what "Yellow" and "Taiwan Teacher" said, they just nailed it...

@Yao leading: Are you kidding me? Many people in Taiwan came from China 60 years ago? Chinese who came from mainland 60 years ago are only 15% of population so I don't call it many, and they are not representing Taiwan. Please go back to school and learn some more history than talking crap here.

@孫子兵法: You don't live in Taiwan nor born here so I guess you don't have any grounds to comment anything about Taiwan. At least Taiwan Teacher lives here and observes the local laws like any Taiwanese, and honestly I doubt you could even come to Taiwan...so who is the foreigner now, huh?

In fact, many people in Taiwan came from the Chinese mainland 60 year ago, including the father of the President Ma Ying-Jiu, and the former President Chen Shui-Bian.

The present ruling party in Taiwan ruled mainland China over 60 year ago. They retreated in defeat to Taiwan from mainland China.

Do you think if Taiwan people is also Chinese people or not? In my viewing, they were enemies in the past, but are brothers living across the Taiwan Straits today.

In my opinion, I think it's because they're afraid of China. Come on, it's a big country with a billion people and it has a law that will take Taiwan no matter what when it declares independence (the Anti-Secession Law).

so, instead of living in uncertainty over its political status, they want to re-unify with China because they don't want war

The PRC is like the "boss' son" claiming credit for all the work done by others. The progress made in Taiwan by the Japanese (after China didn't even WANT to deal with the troubles on the island, and chose to give it away to Japan), along with the conversion of the ROC from a despotic nightmare into a democratic regime while separated from China, only serve to insult China's pride. Among Chinese, this is the worst offense... "losing face". China CONSTANTLY threatens Taiwan because they do not wish to ackowledge that the ROC still exists and has become a prosperous democracy. The only way to "save face" is to flex their muscles in a menacing way towards the people they facitiously call "brothers". And, the only way the ROC can "save face" is by restoring its control over the mainland (NOT possible).

It's hypocracy at its best, and presented for a long time on the worlwide stage by two VERY stubborn fools. Do you realize how many people OUTSIDE of China and Taiwan would prefer to have the two governments just anhilate each other, so as to save the world from watching this ridiculous wrestling match? After all, at one time they WERE slaughtering each other. Why did they stop, with no intention of making peace? It's like listening to your parents who have been married for 60 years still arguing about who owns the toaster they got as a 3rd-year anniversary gift.

If the ROC would cease to claim the Mainland as its territory and settled for what they have (which is pretty damned good for a defeated government), and China would only accept that the majority of people in Taiwan truly respect their Chinese heritage but wish to operate independently, then all would be settled peacefully. Ah, if only the voice of sensibility could be heard throughout both lands. Sometimes, I'd swear that the Chinese are born deaf. But, I still love them...

Just because ONE country has a Civil War, and an outside party allows the "refugees" to move onto their protected land, and chooses to protect these refugees, does NOT mean that EITHER side of the Civil War OWNS the land. Taiwan was only a sanctuary for the ROC. It is STILL the third party's land, and neither living there for sixty years nor knocking on the door with missiles in hand changes that. Get smart, and settle your differences as REAL brothers would do.

To those living here in Taiwan:

If your loyalties lie with Mainland China, then get out of here and GO THERE!

If your loyalties lie with the Taiwanese, then you are more than welcome to stay here and continue to develop an accommodating democratic society. The only thing NOT tolerated is TREASON. Though I walk on the edge at times in my criticisms of the ROC, my heart remains true to the people of Taiwan and their quest for freedom.

Furthermore, to those who insist that the USA is driving a wedge between the two factions of the Chinese, perhaps you ought to look at yourselves and come to the understanding that YOU started it, and are the ones who are keeping this dispute alive for so long by maintaining a blind eye towards a peaceful solution. The USA can no more twist the arms of the Chinese than a pig could fly over the Moon. If you want to get rid of "Western influences", then stop asking for them.

That's just my humble opinion. Moreover, I am truly grateful to be living in a COUNTRY of more sensible Chinese/Aboriginals who allow me to express it freely.

Long live Taiwan!

To Zoom: Thanks. I've been meeting more and more PRC Nationals who have come over from China for a visit to Taiwan, and there seems to be some thawing of the PRC-ROC realtionship lately. It very well could be that the PRC is beginning to back away from threatening an invasion, leaning more towards allowing Taiwan independence. I sure would like that to happen, with the Mainland and Taiwan at last becoming allies.

NE1410is: My apologies for the long answer. I am a Buddhist-Christian working for the military in Taiwan, as well as assisting a budding diplomat; so the subject has been troubling me a lot lately.