In response to a failure to understand the “good intentions” behind the use of the term “motherland,” a professor from China’s Fudan University recklessly claimed that Taiwan used to be a colony, so all it needs is a “good beating.”
Such logic is risible. The Central Plains people in China were once colonized by the Mongolians, the Manchus and other foreign peoples — does that mean they also deserve a “good beating?”
According to the professor, having been ruled by the Cheng Dynasty — named after its founder, Ming-loyalist Cheng Cheng-kung (鄭成功, also known as Koxinga) — as the Kingdom of Tungning, and later colonized by the Qing Dynasty, means that Taiwan belongs to China. Following that logic, the Netherlands should actually be considered Taiwan’s true “motherland.” After all, it was the first foreign power to colonize Taiwan.
Additionally, Tungning was an entirely independent kingdom, and the Qing Dynasty was not even ruled by Han Chinese — neither regime referred to itself as “China.”
No matter how far the argument is stretched, Taiwan is not — and never has been — a part of the People’s Republic of China.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party are a band of ruffians whose only goal is to gain political power. They have no regard for human rights, freedom or democracy — only autocratic dictatorship.
Who in their right mind would want China to be their “motherland?” Why not ask Singaporeans if they would be willing?
China’s actions have led many people to be ashamed of their Chinese heritage. In Taiwan, only the KMT “yearns” for its “motherland,” China — but ask its members to become citizens of China and they would firmly refuse.
Taiwanese do not want to be ruled by China, yet these pro-China KMT legislators continue with their antics, throwing Taiwan into chaos. Perhaps they are the ones who deserve a “good beating.”
Teng Hon-yuan is a university professor.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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