Fili’s world

8 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

1. 

   cat  |  July 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am #

   Well, I think you can just call it the Chinese Christian Communit — the Taiwanese is also Chinese after all. why different them?

2. 

   fiLi  |  July 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am #

   cat - because most Taiwanese think of themselves as different. To some Taiwanese what you just asked would actually be an insulting question, but I think you already know that.

3. 

   cat  |  July 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am #

   Hehe, of course they are different, and we can also say the Shanghaier, Pekinese, HongKonger, or Cantonese are different to each other, but this does not negate the fact that at the same time they are also the Chinese. At least, the Taiwanese are regarded as part of the Chinese people for: 1. They speak Chinese as mother language and write Chinese characters; 2. they observe Chinese customs mostly same to the mainland; 3. most importantly, legally and formally they called their country the Republic of CHINA, but not Taiwan. Right?

   of course to some Taiwanese my these words might be insulting, but I believe some other Taiwanese will take the same opinions.

4. 

   fiLi  |  July 1st, 2008 at 10:14 am #

   cat - I think this is mixing up two different things - ethnicity and nationality. Surely, you would say Chinese Singaporeans and not just Chinese, but rather that they’re first Singaporeans. Nationality goes beyond ethnicity.

   Speaking Chinese as mother tongue doesn’t mean much as many nationalities speak English but I’d hate to see what happens if you call a British ‘an American’. Moreover, southern Taiwan, where I’m studying at speaks Taiwanese as native tongue.
   Mainland hasn’t been practicing the ancient Chinese traditions since the communists went into power, so in a sense Taiwanese nationals practice Chinese ethnic rituals more than the Chinese nationals do. The legal and formal name for Taiwan has very little to do with who they are and more about the international politics they have to endure. When asked where they’re from, very very few Taiwanese would say China or Republic of China, and that even applies to the very blue. But, if asked what they are some would reply as “Chinese” the same way some Israelis would reply “Jewish”. If you ask them for their nationality and then their ethnicity, you will most likely get two different answers. And, ofcourse, there are Taiwanese who are not Chinese, such as the local Taiwanese aboriginals and such.

5. 

   cat  |  July 1st, 2008 at 10:35 am #

   So can we call them “Chinese Taiwanese”? hehe, at least you accept that they are also Chinese, by ethnicity.

   As of practising ancient Chinese tradition, Fili, have you ever been to mainland China? Go, and see what a myth it is to say that in Taiwan more ancient Chinese traditions are preserved and practised. And when you speak of nationality, how can you say the legal formal name of this nation has little to do with who they are? Anyhow, definitely there will never be a country or nation with the formal name as Taiwan on the earth.

6. 

   Chloris  |  July 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am #

   Identical issue that you are discussing— Chinese as 華人 or 中國人 as a taiwanese i would be happy to regarded as 華人for cultural part, as 中國人 sorry Big nono!

   In China, yes we are all bros and sis as ! we ate same style, they even have better dish, But still Political issue is provacative.

   華人和中國人還是不一樣的:) but lets ok, just find a balance where both are comfortable with.

   Safter pick of politicial issue is probablly President Ma if you must , they dont mind Ma being president that much as well as most Taiwanses.

7. 

   cat  |  July 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am #

   華人和中國人還是不一樣的
   It is very hard to translate this saying into English

8. 

   Chloris  |  July 1st, 2008 at 12:09 pm #

   ‘ And when you speak of nationality, how can you say the legal formal name of this nation has little to do with who they are? ‘ …does he mean the cultural part as 華人文化 there is little difference that chinese culture might include in both Taiwan and Chinese? black sheep and white sheep all eat green grass? I think i kinda agree. almost the same thing we do, except for they never chop vegetables like us,chinses just freind the whole vegetable.

   But i do agree with you one point ne, Taiwan would not be independent not forever but not in a short time, now its not a good timing, if we dont go for independent before, why now? or ever ? Taiwan,our golden age had passed, and what, do we have better odds now? i dont think so, next good timing to go for independent is when China become ice stone age, while Taiwan become one of the Asian four dragons like we used to.