The nation’s Aboriginal population has increased by 90,000 in the past 10 years, from more than 420,000 in 2001 to the more than 510,000 last year, according to latest statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior.
Among the increases, 120,000 more children between the age of 15 and 19 registered their Aboriginal identity last year, compared with 10 years ago, which is a 33.66 percent increase, the data showed.
Commenting on the phenomenon, Association of Taiwan Indigenous Peoples’ Policies member Pasang Hsiao (蕭世暉) said the increase in Aboriginal identity registration among adults shows that identifying oneself as Aborigine is rising, however, the increase among students could mean that those Aboriginal students want to take advantage of bonus points allocated for Aboriginal students in school entrance exams.
Mayaw Biho, a documentary director from the Amis tribe, agreed with Hsiao’s interpretation, saying that many students are changing their ethnic identity out of practical considerations, but added that many people are also doing so for “ethnic justice.”
Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Sun Ta-chuan (孫大川) said the increase in the Aboriginal population is related to welfare incentives, but he believes that increased harmony among ethnic groups and less ethnic discrimination have also continued to increase the self-identity of Aborigines.
Currently, Aborigines enjoy benefits such as bonus points on entrance exams, as well as subsidies for pre-school education, study abroad, tuition, better old-age pensions and the right to buy or sell Aboriginal reserve lands to make up for the disadvantages experienced by Aborigines in the economy, education and employment.
However, Sun said that, based on the concept of equality as stated in the Constitution and the improvements in education and gaps in resources as many Aborigines move into cities, he has asked officials to look into setting up a threshold to exclude wealthier Aborigines from enjoying the benefits and welfare reserved for Aborigines.
The minister said the new measure is to avoid making non--Aborigines feel that they are deprived of certain rights due to ethnicity and thus prevent ethnic conflicts that such feelings could trigger, and leave the limited resources of the state to those who are most in need.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or