(ECNS) -- Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has triggered public anger for removing the Han ethnic group designation from its official demographic data, replacing it with "other."
Critics accuse the DPP, led by Lai Ching-te, of promoting "de-sinicization" and erasing ancestral heritage.
Netizens in Taiwan reacted by questioning, "If the DPP wants to promote ‘de-sinicization,' why do they still use Chinese characters?" and criticizing that "the DPP only knows how to distort history," according to local outlet Meihua Media.
"Does this practice — disguised as academic pursuit yet attempting to sever historical and blood ties — represent 'political correctness'?" a Taipei City Councilor asked on social media, adding the DPP's "de-sinicization" has gone to extremes.
Jaw Shaw-kung, a leading figure of the "Fighting Blues" within the Kuomintang Party, criticized the DPP for refusing to acknowledge their Han heritage by distancing themselves from Chinese culture.
Taiwan's United Daily News pointed out that downplaying Chinese history in educational curricula, the fading of the word "China" on maps, avoiding "Han culture" in foreign engagements, removing the Han ethnic group designation, and other moves are a meticulous "de-sinicization" movement.
A China Times editorial bluntly stated that politicians reducing Taiwan's 96% majority ethnic group to "others" reveals their cruel and dark heart.
While the DPP has employed various methods to draw a line with "China," it remains impossible to sever the countless ties between people across the strait, other local media outlets commented.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, called the move "utterly absurd and laughable."
"For those within the DPP responsible for this decision—especially those who themselves belong to the so-called 'other populations'—how can they face their ancestors with any sense of dignity?" Chen asked.
He emphasized that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits share the same bloodline, culture, and history. "We are all part of the Chinese nation, descendants of the Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor. We are all Chinese—this is an objective fact that no one can change," Chen said.
"Driven by their goal of 'Taiwanese independence' and political self-interest, they constantly devise new tricks to push de-sinicization and sever historical and cultural ties across the Straits. These actions go against the will of the people, will not succeed, and will ultimately be rejected by history and the public," he added.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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