A Chinese mainland spokesman on ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? 2019Wednesday strongly condemned the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan for severing cross-Strait historical and cultural ties for separatist motives and political gain, after the island authorities reclassified people of the Han ethnic group as the island's "other" population, downplaying the Han Chinese majority.
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in Beijing following a recent change in wording on the island government's website describing the island's population that has stirred controversy, with critics accusing the administration of attempting to downplay the Han Chinese majority.
The website previously stated that "Han people account for 96.4 percent of the household-registered population in Taiwan". However, the latest version of the site now reads: "Currently, 2.6 percent of the household-registered population in Taiwan are ethnic minorities, 1.2 percent are newly arrived residents, and the remaining 96.2 percent are other population."
The revised wording, which no longer explicitly mentions "Han people" and instead categorizes the majority as "others" has sparked intense debate, with critics condemning this move as furthering the "de-Sinicization" and erasure of ancestral ties in the mainland under the administration of Lai Ching-te administration.
Denouncing the action as "utterly absurd and ludicrous", Chen questioned how those involved in such measures, particularly those categorized as part of the so-called other population, could face their ancestors with dignity.
He emphasized that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share common bloodlines, culture and history, all being Chinese — a fundamental truth that cannot be altered.
Accusing the DPP administration of pursuing separatist agendas and political gain, Chen said their tactics of promoting "de-Sinicization", which disrupts the historical and cultural connections between the two sides, will ultimately face rejection from the people.