T.Y. Wang, Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics and Government, published “Declining Taiwanese Identity?” in Asia Dialogue.
The results of Taiwan’s 2018 local elections shocked the pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party. In particular, voters’ rejection of Referendum 13 requesting that Taiwan participate in international sporting events in the name of “Taiwan” came as a surprise to some.
These results have led some commentators to speculate that there might be a decline in national identity and the demand for greater autonomy from China on the island.
Employing survey data collected in Taiwan during the past two decades, Wang shows that the general trend toward “Taiwaneseness” is gaining strength, not weakening.
Asia Dialogue is the online magazine hosted by Asian Research institute, University of Nottingham, UK.
