Written by Meng Kit Tang. In an era where Chinese identity is increasingly politicised and weaponised by state actors, this article argues for a re-centring of Chineseness around civic virtue, cultural continuity, and ethical striving. Taiwan, by embracing freedom and cultural plurality, emerges as a living laboratory for a more inclusive, moral, and modern understanding of what it means to be Chinese today.
Written by Karen Huang. This article explores the growing use of PRC terms in Taiwan Mandarin and the social reactions to this trend. While some Taiwanese view this trend as a natural result of language contact, others perceive these terms as a form of cultural invasion. The debate among Taiwanese netizens reflects broader concerns about cultural identity, political influence from China, and the implications for younger generations in Taiwan.
Written by Mark Gerard Murphy. This article reflects on the intersection of Chinese martial arts and nationalism in both Taiwan and Mainland China. It demonstrates how martial arts were closely tied to nationalist sentiments in different periods of history of both, but each followed distinct paths of development that reflected their respective cultural pride and national identity.
Written by Daniel Yu-Kuei Sun. This article explores the usage of two terms representing Taiwan’s national team, “Team Chinese Taipei” or “Team Chunghwa” and “Team Taiwan”. It observes a gradual shift in traditional media outlets and social media platforms to use the latter. This identity was best articulate in baseball as it is a uniquely Taiwanese sport with marginal presence in Mainland China.
Written by Brian Hioe. This article explores the way in which the Olympics served as a stand-in for contestation about national identity in Taiwan. It compares the 2024 Olympics in Paris with previous Olympics, in response to the national referendum in 2018 on the name of Taiwan’s Olympic team and growing support for the status quo and progressive political values among young people.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This articles argues that China has been exploiting the Olympic Games for its nationalism and as a battleground to squash Taiwan’s national status. It demonstrates how Taiwan stands as a stark contrast to China through embodying the values of the Olympic Games, including sportsmanship and resolving conflicts through mutual understanding.
