Taijian

In Taiwanese culture, a Taijian (zh-tsp|t=台奸|p=Taijiān) is a highly derogatory and pejorative term for a traitor, especially to ethnic Taiwanese. Literally, it means "traitor of Taiwan" or "one who betrays Taiwanese people", and traces its roots back to the Republic of China's rule over Taiwan during the martial law period (starting from the infamous 228 massacre to the Wild Lily student movement) (1947-1990).

History

After the surrender of the Japanese Empire, Taiwan unsuccessfully made a plea to self-determine its future. However, the pro-Chiang Kai-shek government of the United States ignored the wishes of the Taiwanese, many of whom fought in the Imperial Japanese Army against China and were legally Japanese citizens prior to the end of World War II, and handed Taiwan over to the Republic of China.

Taiwanese perceptions of the Japanese are significantly more favorable than perceptions in other parts of East Asia, partly because during its 50 years (1895–1945) rule, Japanese developed Taiwan's economy and raised the standard of living for most Taiwanese citizens, building up Taiwan as a supply base for the Japanese main islands. Later Taiwanese also adopted Japanese names and practice Shinto, while the schools instilled a sense of "Japanese spirit" in students. By the time of World War II began, many ethnic Taiwanese were proficient in both the Japanese language and Taiwanese language, while keeping their unique identity.

Many members of the Chinese-dominated administration arrived on Taiwan with fresh images of their ravaged country and memories of Japanese atrocities on China during Second Sino-Japanese War. As a result, anti-Japanese sentiment caused many to view the native Taiwanese who had been brought up and educated under the Japanese system as politically untrustworthy traitors. At the same time, many of the Taiwanese viewed the Japanese Empire favorably and the Chinese as being backwards and corrupt. In fact, many harbored anti-Chinese sentiment. Because the native Taiwanese elite had met with some success with self government under Japanese rule, they had expected the same treatment from the incoming Chinese occupation. However, the Chinese opted for a different route, aiming for the centralization of government powers and a reduction in Taiwanese authority. The different goals of the Chinese and the Taiwanese, coupled with cultural misunderstandings, racial hostility, and governmental corruption served to further inflame tensions on both sides.

All of these contributed to the 228 massacre in 1947 when the native Taiwanese elite establishment was destroyed by the Chinese. After the genocide committed by Chinese against Taiwanese in the 228 massacre in 1947, native Taiwanese who collaborated with Chiang Kai-shek's dictatorship and the Chinese Nationalist Party were commonly considered as Taijian.

With the fall of the Chinese dictatorship and the beginning of democratic elections, Taiwanese nationalists now view Taiwanese citizens who collaborated with a hostile foreign power, especially the People's Republic of China, as Taijian.

Modern usage

The term is used against Taiwanese supporters of Chinese expansionism, Chinese Nationalist Party, and the pan-blue coalition, viewed as being Taiwanese traitors serving the interests of the People's Republic of China; in return, some radical Chinese expansionism supporters used the terms "Hanjian" (漢奸), literally means "traitor of China", against Taiwan Name Rectification Campaign supporters who immigrated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War, yet self-identify as Taiwanese.

Famous people called Taijian

*Chiang Pin-kung: President of the Straits Exchange Foundation, acting Chairman of Kuomintang [http://www.nownews.com/2008/04/29/301-2268139.htm]

Criticisms

The word has been criticized for promoting a unitary, ethnically homogeneous state, instigating racial conflict in Taiwan, and the use of "Taiwan" is seen by some as Taiwanese chauvinism (or sometimes Hoklo chauvinism). These groups suggest using simply, "traitors to the nation" or "traitors to the race".

ee also

*Collaborationism
*Treason