Don't take it personally
Only in the sense that I'm honored by your response. It presents the opportunity to learn. I agree that HK's economic significance has diminished. But the ability to "turn out" significant crowds demanding greater freedom is (IMO) likely to continue to have a social impact.
on the other side the Strait -- the Mainland, more and more people want to take back Taiwan now
Sorry, but it's a little late for that. As I've stated in earlier posts, my own education on this matter began decades ago with friends who were native born Taiwanese (and viewed the Mainlanders who came in '49 as interlopers). These people never did view themselves as Chinese, but were subjugated by the Chiang click. In the last decade. they have retaken their home, and I doubt they will relinquish it.
more people in Taiwan do not consider themselves as Chinese, but my guess is that they are still <50% of the total Taiwan pop.
Consider
A survey by the United Daily News in October, for example, found that 62 percent of respondents said they were Taiwanese, the highest level recorded by the newspaper since it began asking the question in 1989, when only 16 percent said they were Taiwanese. By comparison, those identifying themselves as Chinese dropped to 19 percent from a high of 52 percent in 1989.
from
washingtonpost.com
And from the same source
"As Taiwan has become more democratic, we have become more aware of our surroundings and our history," said Lin Mun-lee, chairwoman of Taiwan's version of the National Endowment for the Arts. "There has been an explosion of vitality in the development of Taiwanese culture."
Perhaps the most obvious sign of this is the growing use of Minnanese, the main local dialect, which Chiang's Nationalist Party banned in schools and restricted on radio and television to promote China's national language, Mandarin. Today, youngsters rap in Minnanese, politicians from all major parties deliver campaign speeches in it and characters in the most popular TV dramas speak it.
Last year, a writer named Wang Benhu launched Taiwan's first talk show requiring guests to speak Minnanese, and it stunned the television industry by becoming the island's No. 1 talk show after only six months.
As for the Chinese national treasures , I suspect the Taiwanese view them as a "barganing chip" to be returned upon recognition of independence, and a pledge to leave them alone to pursue their destiny.
JMO, and eagerly awaiting your response.
lurqer |
