Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) yesterday said the concept of "localization" was not equivalent to the concept of "de-Sinicization," because the Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese) and Hakka cultures which constitute the major part of Taiwan's national culture originated in China.
Lee was speaking yesterday at a ceremony where he received an honorary doctorate in science from National Yang Ming University.
Lee's speech followed his acceptance of the degree from university president Wu Yen-hua (吳妍華).
Lee interpreted Taiwanese culture from an archaeological and historical perspective, pointing out that a host of cultures originating in China and other cultural elements left behind by the Dutch and the Japanese created the diversified culture of Taiwan today.
Lee said that many people harbored the misconception that "localization" was tantamount to "de-Sinicization" and feared that moves at localization were meant to eliminate Chinese culture in Taiwan.
Lee said that the concepts were not in opposition to one another. He said, however, that "de-Sinicization" had its roots in the era of Japanese rule.
Lee said the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) had implemented policies of "de-Taiwanization" and, in recent years, this had prompted many Taiwanese to better understand their previously sup-pressed ancestral language and cultures, he said.
Lee said there had been a pattern of minority domination of a majority population in Taiwan ever since the arrival of the Dutch in the 17th century. This meant that the people never had the chance to choose their own government and leadership by democratic means until a decade ago.
It was invalid to regard modern Chinese culture as the same as traditional Chinese culture, Lee said.
Academia Sinica Vice President Ovid Tzeng (曾志朗) and Vice Minister of Education Lu Mu-lin (
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