[starbase]

Can you explain the Taiwan independence supporters' argument about how they are not ethnically Chinese?

Yes, the explanation is that the claim is simply a lie. Or to be more gracious, wishful thinking.

Ask them to demonstrate how they are not ethnically Chinese and they will be unable to do so. The language is Fukiense Chinese, the writing is very clearly Chinese, and the people all came from China (though there is a very tiny population of darker skinned indigenous people here with a more primitive culture (think American Indians) and different language, they largely live in their own little villages)


Just do what I mention above, ask them how they can have Chinese language, Chinese writing, have come from China, but still aren't Chinese. They won't be able to answer you because they are Chinese. They do have a very red-necky stubborn streak though, which is why they insist they are a unique culture even when you can see they are the same. They will split hairs with you and can sometimes be very annoying in their insistence on being right, even when they are clearly wrong about something. It's obnoxious, and you can't believe they won't drop the matter. That's one characteristic about people in Taiwan (and many other Chinese as well) that isn't very flattering.

But they are Chinese, whether they like it or not, and OUR country, should not pay in blood for some silly people's misconceptions about themselves.

[underbyte]

I speak English, write English I must be an Englishman? Fact is they are politically and hence culturally different and a friend of the US of A

Extend your argument to the southwest (remember the Alamo) and we should give it back to Mexico, or Israel back to the Palestinians?

[Quix]

Natives on Orchid Isle might argue with you. They have much more in common with a tribe on a Philipines island.

But . . . hey, aren't you for self-determination? LOL.

I'd rather see unity but only peacefully.

[maui_hawaii]

Under political terms no one on Taiwan is "Chinese".

Under ethic terms, there are tons of people who are...

It just depends on what you are talking about...

[Jeff Head]

Taiwan is independent of the mainland and has been for several decades. I have spent a lot of time over there myself and the outlook and freedoms enjoyed by a much larger percentage of the people there, as well as their political institutions serve to punctuate that reality. As to your slamming of them and their economy...hogwash. They are, per capita, orders of magintude ahead of their counterparts on the mainland. And that is for one reason...they are free.

As to the language, etc. making them Chinese (as in mainland Chinese), again, hogwash. Their political leanings, their outlook, their desires all set them apart from the mainland. I speak English and my ancestors come from England...but I am an American. The arguements for the most part that you are laying out there are strawmen and many of them suspiciously sound like the CCP talking points in many ways.

Either way, the United States will stand by Taiwan...you watch and see.

[blam]

"Ask them to demonstrate how they are not ethnically Chinese and they will be unable to do so. "

I believe a lot of the Hakka Chinese went to Taiwan.