Have you wondered how Taiwanese Americans fit into Asian American history? How are Taiwanese Americans unique to other Asian groups? Dr. Yang will take you through a comparative history of Taiwanese Americans and Asian Americans, alluding to challenges, stereotypes, and victories that you may have already experienced without knowing it.

Hello everyone! Welcome to the workshop. My name is Bruce Yang. The objective of this workshop is to discuss the role of Taiwanese American in Asian American history. Have you wondered how Taiwanese Americans fit into Asian American history? How are Taiwanese Americans unique to other Asian groups?

Like most Asian immigrants, Taiwanese immigrants came to this country for the land of freedom and pursue of endless opportunities. Like most Asian Americans, Taiwanese Americans in this country also have to face the American culture of racial stereotyping, institutional discrimination, and deep seeded anti-Asian sentiment. Despite these challenges, like most Asian Americans, Taiwanese Americans have excelled and succeeded in various professions and different fields. But unlike most other Asian Americans, Taiwanese Americans constantly have to face a marginalization of our Taiwanese American identity.

For example, a typical conversation goes like this:
A: "Where are you from?"
B: "I am from New York."
A: "I meant originally."
B: "I was born and raised in Taiwan."
A: "Oh, so you are Chinese.
B: "No, I am Taiwanese."
A: "But doesn't Taiwan belong to China?"
B: "No, Taiwan belongs to Taiwanese people."
A: "Hahahahaa, you are a funny guy, so do you still have family in China?"
B: "No, I don't have family in China but I do still have a lot of relatives in Taiwan."
A: "So do your relatives live near the Great Wall of China?"
B: ".................."

Anyway, you get the point.

What is the difference between Taiwanese and Chinese? The answer can be simply "Taiwanese are people from Taiwan and Chinese are people from China". Or it can lead to an endless debate and heated arguments between the historical, sociological, cultural, and political aspects of Taiwanese vs. Chinese.

Why does this happen? What do we constantly face the marginalization of our own identity? The hypocrisy of human nature combined with the constant military threat of Mainland China and the nonrecognition of Taiwan by the UN and American government translate into nonrecognition of Taiwanese in the United States. Even with in our own Taiwanese community, the verdict is divided. Many Taiwanese Americans also consider themselves as Chinese Americans. That only creates more confusion for the American public who already had very little knowledge of Taiwanese American struggle and history. For example, many famous Taiwanese Americans figures either self proclaim or are referred by the American mainstream media as Taiwan born Chinese American. Famous film director Li Ang, Nuclear Physicist Wen Ho Lee, and Congressman Henry Woo, have often been mentioned in the mainstream news media as Chinese American or Taiwan-Born Chinese American.

To understand why we identify ourselves as Taiwanese American and why many people try to stop us from doing so, we must have knowledge of Taiwanese American and Taiwanese history.

Let me briefly go over a very general outline of Taiwanese history.

In the ancient Chinese history book, they called Taiwan, E-Jou or barbaric Land. Then many "Han" Chinese people started immigrating to Taiwan from Fujian and Canton province. Ming Nam people came from Fujian which is the closest Chinese province to Taiwan. Hakka(Ka Jia) people came from Canton province. They are called Ka Jia because their ancestors fled from Jun Yuan or now Hunan Province during the invasion of Northern barbarian. There were a lot of in fighting among these ethnic Han people. On the Taiwan Island, there already the aborigine inhabitants of malapolynesian descendants who probably migrated to Taiwan more than 10000 years ago. For thousands of years, the Chinese dynasties did not really care too much about some remote barbaric island.

Then around Ming Dynasty, with the advancement of oceanic adventure, more people begin to come to Taiwan. Both Japanese and Chinese pirates would use Taiwan Island as a base. Around the same time, the European powers were also busy carving up their colonies around the world with their advancing military and navel power.

The Portuguese sailors were the first Westerners who discovered the beauty of Taiwan and called it the island of Formosa. Then the Dutch started their advancement to take over Formosa along with the rest of Indonesia. The Spaniards also took over the northern part of Formosa. Ming Dynasty, just like the dynasties, Ming Dynasty did not care too much about this "barbaric island" that is filled with mountains and primitive aborigines. Ming Dynasty was too busy fighting the "barbaric" Manchus from northeastern part of China who was ready to take over China mainland. These Manchus from the Northeast eventually took over China and founded the Ching Dynasty. Ming Dynasty general Cheng Chang Gong led his fleet to withdraw to Formosa Island, which was then controlled mostly by the Dutch. General Chang expelled the Dutch eventually but died suddenly at a young age due to illness. He and his army never intended to settle permanently in Taiwan but merely would use Taiwan as a base to reclaim mainland. After the death of General Cheng, the Ching finally was able to force Chang's son to concede and accept the conquer of Ching Dynasty. During the Ching Dynasty rule, there were many small rebellions of Taiwanese residents against the corrupted Ching appointed officials. But they were easily suppressed since metal/arms were heavily regulated to prevent any arm movement of Taiwanese. For 200 years of Ching control, the Ching did very little of building Taiwan. During the later part of its Dynasty, Ching's mainland also had to deal with foreign colonial invasions of the Western power. Most Taiwanese were farmers back then and mainly came to Taiwan to seek a better economical freedom that was limited in mainland.

In 1885, Japan defeated the navy fleet of Ching and then signed a reparation treaty, which Ching gave away Formosa to Japan. Right away, Taiwanese formed the first little known historical fact, Republic of Taiwan. That was the first time Ming Ham, Ka Jia and aborigines stopped their infighting and bonded together with a common goal- to fight against foreign invaders, the Japanese. Unfortunately, Japan's military force was just too much for the Taiwanese peasant farmers who had little arms besides their farming tools and bamboo sticks. The Japanese easily took the island and the leaders of the republic all fled to Mainland China. During the next 50 years of Japanese rule, it imposes the strict Japanization of Taiwanese people. Taiwanese were forced to learn Japanese language and culture and pledge their allegiance to the Emperor of Japan. However, it was during these 50 years of Japanese colonization that many present days infra structures of Taiwan was funded. Japan had a goal of conquering a big part of Asia and forming their Great East Asian Emperor. Ironically, the Japanization of Taiwan did not make Taiwanese more Japanese. It simply made them more "UnChinese."

With the defeat of Japanese after WWII in 1945, Taiwan was returned to Mainland China, which was controlled by the Kou Ming Tong who was founded by Dr. Sun Yet Sun and defeated the Chin in 1911 and founded the Republic of China. Originally, Taiwanese were happy to embrace their so-called "brothers and sisters" from China. However, they were later disappointed by the corruption and inefficiency of many Chinese appointed officials.

In Feb 28, 1947, a small incidence turned into a great rebellion of Taiwanese against the Mainland Chinese ruler. Again, the poorly armed Taiwanese residents with bamboo sticks and farming tools, were no match of the American armed KMT soldiers from Mainland China. More than 20,000 Taiwanese students, leaders, and elite were murdered by the KMT government to suppress the rebellion.

In 1950, Chiang Kai Shek lead KMT army was defeated by the communist and fled to Taiwan with approximately 1.5 millions of mainland soldiers and their families and supporters. Communist China tried to attack Taiwan following their victories in mainland. Miraculously, the Taiwan Strait serves as the best natural barrier against the human wave assault of the communist China, which only had a great Army but no Air Force and navy back then. Then with the unexpected start of Korean War, the US became a great ally of KMT Republic of China. The cold war alliance helped to prevent Taiwan from being taken over by force of China. But it also creates the present day 2 China dilemmas.

During the rule of KMT, Chiang Kai Shek imposed the white terror into the heart of Taiwanese people. Even today, the majority of Taiwanese elders would encourage their kids to stay away from politics since that would often land them in jail or even death. Those directly exposed to violence have suffered physical and emotional injuries that will scar them for life.

As a kid growing up in Taiwan during the 70's and 80's, I personally experienced many ironic educational propaganda of the KMT. We were taught that we were "Chinese". By simply proclaiming being Taiwanese would earn some jail time.

After the death of Chiang Kai Shek in 1975, the power was transferred to his son, Chiang Jing Gou who was more realistic than his father. He realized that there was no possible way of "freeing China" from the communist. Therefore, he started more modernization of Taiwan and appointed more Taiwanese to government officials. Kau Hsiung incident in 1979 was perhaps the turning point of Taiwanese democratic movement. It was suppressed and several prominent dissident were arrested and jailed. Many of those later became the leaders of DPP opposition party and the present day government officials. Chiang Ging Gou abolished the martial law in 1987 before his death in 1988.

Present day Taiwan has a population of about 23 millions. about 70% are Min Nam or Fujian heritage, 15% are kajia, and 3 percent aborigines, and 12 % r Chinese dissident who fled to Taiwan after 1950 civil war. According to a recent survey. 84% of people in Taiwan consider themselves as NONE Chinese. However, in the 2000 presidential election. Current president Chen Shue Bian only received 39% of the total popular vote despite his winning. 35% went to Soong and 23% went to KMT Lian Gang. Both Soong and Lian are pro unification with China. So why did DPP only receive 39% despite that 84% of Taiwanese in Taiwan think they are NOT Chinese? Perhaps it has to do with the alienation of DPP policy that excludes anyone who is not Ming Nam speaking as not Taiwanese. There have been lots of inter ethnic marriages among these groups of people. Also another factor maybe the constant military threat of China who would claim Taiwan as part of China.

Despite the relatively short history of the Taiwanese in the United States, they have been a significant presence in America. Since 1965, immigration law changes have led to a dramatic increase in the Asian population in the United States. Taiwanese Americans, the immigrants from Taiwan and their descendants, are a prominent group in this increasing Asian population.

Around 1950's, the ministry of education in Taipei, began promoting studying abroad as a way of controlling possible unrest by the intellectuals. American colleges and universities were eager to accept talented people, especially those trained in math, science, and technology who could help in fighting the cold war against the Soviet Union. By 1969, over 18000 Taiwanese students had come to the US for advance education. The vast majority of the students chose not to return to Taiwan. That was the first major wave of Taiwanese immigration into America.

The 2nd wave of Taiwanese American immigrants came in around the late 70's and 80's with notable surges during period of uncertainty for Taiwan. These included domestic events such as the UN and US recognition of PRC as the legitimate government of China. The 2nd wave were more diverse in their age, gender, and educational level.

By studying and learning the Taiwanese history and Taiwanese/Taiwanese American struggle of Identity, we can learn the dark side and bright side of human nature. It can not only enrich ourselves but at the same time, it can help to advocate humanity as a whole. This will only benefit the mankind. Thank you very much.

Special Thanks to:
Karen Liao and Sibyl Chen for their work and information
Dr. Peng and those students who participated at the History and Heritage workshop
Aki It-Kui Tan for his work in helping Taiwanese American