Photo: Peng Qing'en, a spokesperson for State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits all belong to the Chinese nation and are all Chinese, said Peng Qing'en, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday's press conference, in response to the recent claims made by Kolas Yotaka, an indigenous person and "former spokesperson" for the Taiwan regional leader's office, who at a book launch event claimed that she was "not Chinese," asserted that there is no such ethnic group as the "Chinese nation," and alleged that Taiwan is currently facing a so-called "threat from the mainland."  

Peng noted that Taiwan's indigenous peoples are a branch of the ancient Yue people, who moved to Taiwan from the mainland either directly or indirectly. This is supported by a large number of archaeological findings and is also acknowledged by Taiwan's ethnic minorities themselves.

Peng said that some despicable individuals, driven by political self-interest, abandon their ancestors and betray their roots, go against basic common sense, and lose fundamental humanity and conscience — a conduct that is shameful, lamentable and pitiable.


Global Times