KMT official claims Taiwanese are Chinese; DPP counters with poll data

Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman Hsia Shu-wen asserted that Taiwanese people are Chinese, emphasizing shared linguistic, cultural, and ancestral ties. Speaking at the 14th Kunming "Yun-Tai Conference" in China, Hsia stated that Taiwanese people speak Chinese, observe Chinese festivals, and have Chinese blood, thus being "proper Taiwanese and upright Chinese."

Hsia also argued against the notion of "de-Sinicization" in Taiwan, claiming that a majority of Taiwanese people identify with the Chinese ethnic group. He suggested that any move to distance Taiwan from Chinese culture is unpopular among the general populace.

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We speak Chinese, read Chinese books, celebrate Chinese festivals, worship Chinese gods, and have the blood of the Chinese nation flowing in us. We are proper Taiwanese and upright Chinese.

In response, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung presented data from a National Chengchi University election study center poll. He countered Hsia's claims by highlighting that only 2.5% of Taiwanese people identify as Chinese, a figure he described as historically low. The poll, which has tracked identity trends over time, indicated that by 2026, a significant 63.1% of Taiwanese will identify solely as Taiwanese, underscoring a strong and growing distinct Taiwanese identity.

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According to the poll's long-term tracking, by 2026, as high as 63.1% of Taiwanese people will consider themselves Taiwanese, and only 2.5% will consider themselves Chinese, which is a very low number in previous years.