Have the traits of Minnan people affected cross-strait relations?
With Minnan people being proud and stubborn, and unwilling to bow to authority, cross-strait tensions may be even harder to resolve, says commentator Leon Hong.
Taiwan’s change in leadership has significantly riled cross-strait relations, leaving people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and in the international community uncertain and deeply concerned.
Sociological and anthropological studies have shown that different ethnic groups possess distinct cultural and behavioural characteristics, which determine their thinking and behaviour. There are already countless analyses of cross-strait relations from various perspectives, but rarely have we analysed the topic from the perspective of the biggest ethnic group in Taiwan — the Minnan people (闽南人, the Southern Min or Hoklos).
Who are the Minnan people?
The Minnan people are an important ethnic group mainly distributed in different countries and regions in eastern Asia, with a total population of about 50 million people. In mainland China, they are mainly found in Fujian’s Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. They are the main ethnic group in Taiwan and are found across the island apart from the Matsu Islands (Lienchiang county), accounting for about 75% of the population, or approximately 17.25 million people. They are also an important part of the local Chinese community in Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
They hold a unique language, religion, cultural identity, thinking and behavioural pattern, which took shape in southern Fujian at the turn of the Tang and Song dynasties; during the Song and Yuan dynasties, the prominence of the port of Quanzhou made the Minnan people important players in maritime trade in eastern Asia. By the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the stringent maritime ban implemented by the imperial court and the Quanzhou-Zhangzhou feud prompted the Minnan people to move to areas such as Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
... the Minnan people have always kept a distance from the central government whilst maintaining their own flexible and dynamic ways of thinking and behaving.
Characterics of the Minnan people
The Minnan people are defined by several distinct characteristics: one, they exhibit a strong entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking tendency. Compared with other ethnic groups within the Han Chinese, they have a strong inclination towards commercial activities and are less strict in adhering to the policies and directives of past governments. They willingly endure the dual risks posed by natural marine conditions and the workings of the state machinery.
Perhaps due to their greater distance from the ruling centre of the Zhongyuan (中原) empire, the Minnan people have always kept a distance from the central government whilst maintaining their own flexible and dynamic ways of thinking and behaving.
Two, they have a strong sense of brotherhood and are fiercely loyal. For nearly a thousand years, compared with the war-torn inland regions of China, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou have remained relatively peaceful and stable, and the Minnan people have thus been able to develop a relatively systematic and massive clan network.
Due to the need for cooperation in maritime livelihoods and business ventures, the Minnan people highly value kinship, friendship and clanship, emphasising trustworthiness and righteousness. Therefore, their thoughts and behaviours show significant continuity over time and space.
Three, they are highly resilient. Their life experiences have instilled in them the mantra of “no pain, no gain”. That is, even in the face of adversity and obstacles, they do not easily give up but are in it for the long haul. This has made the Minnan people inherently resilient, and they do not easily back down on their principles.
Analysing the core of “Taiwan independence”, it reveals an anti-foreign, xenophobic ideology centred around the Minnan people of Taiwan.
The Minnan mentality in Taiwan
The ancestral home of the newly minted leader of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, is Nanjing county, in Zhangzhou city, Fujian province. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has long been a political party with a rich Minnan character, with DPP veterans including Chen Shui-bian, Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-chang, and Chen Chu all Minnan people, while former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen is a Hakka who has been greatly influenced by Minnan culture. It can be said that the characteristics of the Minnan people have had quite an influence and impact on Lai’s thinking and the thinking of the leading political party in Taiwan.
Analysing the core of “Taiwan independence”, it reveals an anti-foreign, xenophobic ideology centred around the Minnan people of Taiwan. It highlights their strong emphasis on kinship, friendship and clan relations, reflecting an outwardly directed form of egocentric thinking.
Moreover, due to the tenacious and adventurous nature of the Minnan people, and in the absence of severe external setbacks to the “Taiwan independence” movement, proponents of Taiwan independence dare to persist in their stance over the long term without wavering. Hence, since 20 May when he was inaugurated, Lai has expressed in his speeches a staunch “Taiwan independence” stance, igniting a new wave of cross-strait tensions.
During the early Qing, the Qing government fought a long war with the House of Koxinga, which was composed mainly of Minnan people.
The Minnan people in history
During the early Qing, the Qing government fought a long war with the House of Koxinga, which was composed mainly of Minnan people. This historical event can become a learning point for dealing with the present cross-strait situation. Like the DPP authorities, the House of Koxinga emphasised kinship and regionalism, had a stubborn attitude, a combative spirit and so forth. The Qing government eventually decided to solve the House of Koxinga issue by adopting a composite approach.
First, it not only offered concrete preferential treatment for subdued generals such as Shi Lang, Huang Wu and others amid the House of Koxinga’s infighting, but also gave them concrete power, aiming to leverage their strengths in resolving the problem of a divided rule among both sides of the strait.
Second, the Qing court pursued a policy of using military actions to facilitate negotiations rather than solely engaging in punitive measures. They conducted multiple rounds of talks with the House of Koxinga.
Third, the Qing court spared no effort in military preparations. Following the suppression of the Rebellion of Wu Sangui , it promptly mobilised forces to reclaim Taiwan. After extensive preparations, it successfully reunified Taiwan through military force.
Over time, the Minnan people have formed a distinct character. Against the backdrop of divided rule across the strait, this uniqueness has added complexity to cross-strait relations. However, historical issues will ultimately be resolved as history unfolds.
One hopes that decision-makers on both sides of the strait can prioritise the well-being of the people, and delicately manage the cross-strait issue — one with the uniqueness of the Minnan people inherent in it. They must carefully analyse various influencing factors, adopt a longer-term, patient approach to policy-making, seize the fleeting historical opportunity and ultimately achieve a proper resolution of the cross-strait issue.
