Central Taiwan Reports: Shared Cultural Narrative Revisited

Saying "Taiwanese" and "Chinese" Ain't the Same Thing: Unraveling the Myth of "Shared Culture"

Central Taiwan Reports: Shared Cultural Narrative Revisited

By Michael A. Turton / Contributing reporter

This past February, the Taipei Times reported on the visit of Lienchiang County Commissioner Wang Chung-ming (王忠銘) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and his crew to a lantern festival in Fuzhou’s Mawei District in Fujian Province.

“Today, Mawei and Matsu together celebrate the lantern festival,” Wang was quoted saying, adding that both sides being “one people” is a reason to rejoice.

Wang's remark fragments a familiar claim of officials from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and its allies – KMT and the Taiwan People's Party – as well as those in other corners: Taiwan and China are “one culture” or “one people.” This so-called shared culture is then presented as justification for China's claim over Taiwan, which, if you ask me, is a crock of nonsense. Numerous manipulated versions of this claim exist, ranging from the outdated "same script, same race," to the modern attempts to use archaeology and historical revisionism to conflate Taiwan's indigenous people into the one-China narrative.

Photo courtesy of the Taitung County Government

NISSEN DOSORON - AN OLD LESSON

This pretentious discourse of shared culture and ancestry as an imperialist tool isn't new. In the early 20th century, Nissen dosoron, the Japanese "theory" that Koreans and Japanese shared a common ancestry, was the foundation of Japan's annexation of Korea. It also paved the way for Japanizing Korea – a hint of what "one race" claims will mean for a PRC occupation of Taiwan. Needless to say, such race-based thinking smacks of imperialism – it implies “we” are superior so we can rule over "inferiors," or else insists "you" are "us" so we can rule over you.

When “one culture” advocates make pro-PRC claims, they generally mention cultural practices like calendars, languages, scripts, festivals, and so on. These visible manifestations of culture are shallow, easy to understand, and present to others. However, understanding the historical experiences of the Taiwanese, the actual basis of their unique identity, requires a deeper dive.

That history includes the experience of Dutch, Manchu, Japanese, and KMT colonialism, the experience of being settlers, of being a settler region, and interactions with and resistance to distant, indifferent ruling imperial centers.

“Being a settler” includes centuries of interactions along a frontier between indigenous peoples and incoming Han settlers, the way that shaped culture, identities, landscapes and cityscapes in Taiwan. The continued existence of indigenous communities and as a distinct non-Han population today also shapes the local identity.

Another aspect of Taiwanese experience is the democratic ideal and its application in resistance to Japan and the KMT. Remember, the first elections were held under the Japanese. In the modern era, this includes democratization and the lived experience of democracy.

With that came steady and rapid economic growth, for more than a century, and relative affluence and access to the outside world. Taiwan is also the site of pervasive Japanese influences in food, hygiene, expectations of social progress and order, along with pervasive U.S. influence via increasing globalization and close economic, social, political, and military ties.

Finally, in the modern era, Taiwan has experienced the desire of Chinese expansionists to annex Taiwan and suppress its local identity via both KMT colonization and PRC aggression. One of the many ironies of Taiwanese history is that the Chinese desire to annex and colonize Taiwan has driven the development of Taiwan’s distinct identity and resistance to it.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF APATHY

Since the vastly different historical experiences of Taiwan require effort to understand, the success of the "shared culture" trope centres on exploiting the ignorance and apathy of its audience. The constant deployment of this narrative by PRC speakers suggests a low opinion of the audience, to say the least.

Though "shared culture" proponents never argue that the source of conflict is the shared culture, even a basic understanding of history reveals that states viewing themselves as part of a broader sociocultural world spend lots of time and energy fighting each other, including ancient Greek colonies, European states, the ancient states of China, the Arab world, and India. "Shared culture" makes discussions and conflicts more palatable, and enables would-be conquerors to imagine occupations will be smooth. "Shared culture" rewards conquest with higher wealth and status than dominating "barbarians" on the edges of the oikoumene.

Though many ancient Greek colonies were independent, Greek city-states, colonies, and their daughter colonies all participated in a broader Greek world of the ancient Mediterranean – if the PRC dropped its claim to Taiwan, Taiwanese people may well be happy to participate in some imagined Sinosphere and moves closer to it. The great irony of the PRC's demand for Taiwan is that it has reified the Taiwan identity as a basis of resistance to PRC expansionism, driven the Taiwanese away, and dispelled the PRC's mystique.

The trope of "shared culture" is often put forth by well-meaning commentators as a potential basis for peace across the Taiwan Strait. While they're not entirely off-base, these commentators often present "shared culture" as the foundation for "mutual understanding," as if the issue between the PRC and Taiwan were a lack of understanding and not PRC death threats. These commentators forget that it's this "shared culture". which the Taiwanese understand so well - and resist, making it far from a foundation for peace.

Notes from Central Taiwan is a column written by long-term resident Michael Turton, who provides incisive commentary informed by three decades of living and writing about his adoptive country. The views expressed here are his own.

1. In the past, imperialist tools such as the Nissen dosoron, a Japanese theory claiming shared ancestry between Japanese and Koreans, were used to justify annexation and cultural assimilation.
2. This historical pattern repeats itself today with pro-PRC narratives suggesting a shared culture or ancestry between Taiwan and China.
3. The superficial similarities mentioned, such as languages, calendars, and festivals, do not capture the complexities and depth of Taiwanese culture.
4. Understanding the historical experiences of the Taiwanese is crucial to comprehending their unique identity.
5. This includes colonialism from Dutch, Manchu, Japanese, and KMT forces, as well as interactions with and resistance to ruling imperial centers.
6. Being a settler region in Taiwan is a significant part of its history, with centuries of interaction between indigenous peoples and incoming Han settlers shaping culture and identity.
7. The continued existence of indigenous communities adds to Taiwan's distinct, non-Han identity.
8. Taiwan's democratic ideal, applied in resistance to Japan and the KMT, is a fundamental aspect of its identity.
9. Economic growth, access to the outside world, Japanese and US influences, and democratic experiences have also shaped modern Taiwanese culture.
10. The Chinese desire to annex and colonize Taiwan has driven the development of a distinct Taiwanese identity and resistance to it.
11. The success of the "shared culture" trope relies on exploiting the ignorance and apathy of its audience.
12. The constant deployment of this narrative by PRC speakers suggests they view their audience as having a low level of understanding.
13. States viewing themselves as part of a broader sociocultural world often spend a lot of time and energy fighting each other.
14. "Shared culture" may make discussions and conflicts appear more palatable, but it does not prevent conflicts.
15. "Shared culture" can create a false sense of harmony, rewards conquest, and dispels the mystique of the conqueror.
16. "Shared culture" as a potential basis for peace is partially accurate, but forgets that it is this shared culture that the Taiwanese understand, and resist.
17. Well-meaning commentators often present "shared culture" as a foundation for mutual understanding.
18. These commentators overlook the fact that the issue between the PRC and Taiwan is not a lack of understanding, but rather death threats.
19. The Taiwan Strait conflict is not centered around a lack of knowledge, but rather political ambitions and territorial claims.
20. The fundamental problem lies in the PRC's territorial expansionist ambitions and its threats to Taiwan's sovereignty.
21. Migration, education, personal growth, and career development are important pursuits for many individuals in both Taiwan and China.
22. Mindfulness, policy, and legislation are relevant topics in the discussions about the future of Taiwan and its relations with China.
23. Car accidents, crimes, and justice are matters of concern for public safety in both societies.
24. Online education and job search are increasingly essential tools for personal and professional growth in the digital age.
25. Sports, whether football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, horse racing, or others, provide a source of entertainment, excitement, and goal-setting opportunities for people worldwide.

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