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The first is their shared concept of the unity of China. Although they have abandoned the ancient understanding of the imperial empire, they both uphold the principle of "one China." This is because both have governed the whole of China at different times. The KMT was the ruling power from 1927 to 1949; it managed the mainland for 22 years until losing in the civil war and being driven to the island of Taiwan in 1949. However both the CCP and the KMT have consistently pursued the goal of a unified China, holding the historical view of China as a single geopolitical block. In this regard, KMT founders Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek were both nationalists; their political ideas were based on a nationalistic orientation.
The second point of common heritage is the two parties' similar understanding of history. This is especially true of their sentiments concerning China's "disgrace" at the hands of Western forces. From China's perspective, it had been the strongest state and dominant power until the 1840s, when Westerners forced it to open the door to foreign trade. Westerners imported opium to China and exported great amounts of silver. Through this process China came to be known as the "sick man of Asia," and its people were treated no better than dogs. This great humiliation made the two parties stand together in fighting the military lords who represented the Western powers, and especially in driving the Japanese from the mainland in World War II.
The third heritage is a common understanding of Confucianism as a strong ideology undergirding Chinese culture. Deeply embedded Confucian values have helped both parties regulate social behavior and govern the state. Chinese feelings toward the family, community and state are all influenced by the concept of the "Golden Mean," or keeping a balance. The two parties have shared a similar style of handling relationships between individuals, communities and states because of the great influence of Confucianism.
Some may argue that there is a difference between the CCP and the KMT in their degree of integration with Western culture. This can't be denied, because of Taiwan's closeness to Western countries, especially the United States. However, mainland China has changed a great deal in this respect since the CCP introduced reforms in 1979. China is adopting a more diversified and inclusive culture, thereby diminishing this cultural difference.
More importantly, the leaders of both parties share a common root culture regarding language, food, myths, folk ideas and even religions. Despite a strong push among some in Taiwan for a separate identity, their interrelationship with China cannot be denied. They speak the same language, which is of great importance in promoting relationships and a common sense of identity. The use of chopsticks, the group-oriented way of eating, the principles of respecting elders and raising youngsters - all these are characteristics of a big family group.
On the other hand, in an attempt to strengthen Taiwan's independent and separate position, the current DDP government has taken steps to "de-Chinize" Taiwan. It has changed the names of streets and monuments, especially those connected with Chiang Kai-shek's family, for example. This might give the DPP a temporary political advantage in Taiwan's internal leadership struggle, helping to undermine the KMT's position. However these gestures cannot change the basic Chinese genes of the people. All factors considered, their shared language, culture and history make it clear that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straight are in fact an integrated entity -- all belong to a common family.
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(Zhang Quanyi is an associate professor at the Zhejiang Wanli University in Ningbo, China, and a PhD candidate at Shanghai International Studies University, studying policy making and collective identity. He is currently a research fellow at the School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, under a grant by the Korea Foundation. He can be contacted at qyzhangupi@yahoo.com. ©Copyright Zhang Quanyi.)
