Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities face mounting criticism after reclassifying ethnic Han residents—the island's majority population for centuries—as part of the "other" demographic category in official records. The controversial decision has fueled accusations of politicizing identity to distance the region from its cultural and historical roots on the Chinese mainland.
Revised data published this month on the Taiwan region's executive body website now describes its population as 96.2% "others," 2.6% indigenous residents, and 1.2% immigrants. The update removes explicit acknowledgment of Han people, who account for over 95% of residents, according to historical records.
Taiwan historian Chi Chia-lin called the revision "a betrayal of our ancestry," telling media it reflects the DPP's attempt to fabricate a "distorted narrative" about cross-strait ties. Chen Ching-hui, a lawmaker from the Chinese Kuomintang, criticized the DPP's "bizarre" statistical methodology, stating: "Labelling the majority as 'others' is cognitive warfare."
The changes also erase references to Minnan people, descendants of migrants from Fujian Province on the Chinese mainland. A China Times editorial argued the DPP is promoting "vague 'Taiwan independence' ideology" by suppressing historical links.
Critics link the demographic rebranding to broader DPP-led efforts to minimize Chinese cultural heritage in education and public life. Social media users mocked the revisions, with one commenting: "We’re now 'others'—soon we’ll be relics." Analysts warn such moves risk deepening societal divisions amid longstanding debates over identity and cross-strait relations.
