Mainland criticizes Taiwan's educational 'de-Sinicization'

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for their long-standing efforts to promote "de-Sinicization" in education and remove elements of traditional Chinese culture from school curricula.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that the DPP authorities' push for "de-Sinicization" in education and "cultural Taiwan independence" has had serious consequences.

Chinese culture is the spiritual home of Taiwan compatriots and a source of strength for Taiwan's economic and social development, Zhu said.

She noted that several classical Chinese texts had been removed from school curricula in Taiwan, leaving students with fewer opportunities to study such works. Some students also lacked knowledge of historical figures, including Zhuge Liang, a well-known strategist during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), as well as major historical events such as the Nanjing Massacre committed by Japanese invaders in East China's Jiangsu province.

"This is not the children's ignorance, but the wrongdoing of 'Taiwan independence' forces," Zhu said. She warned that continued efforts to distance education in Taiwan from Chinese culture would weaken the cultural roots of people on the island and deprive Taiwan society of the nourishment of traditional Chinese culture.

Zhu mentioned that people from various sectors in Taiwan had expressed concern over the issue, and that a growing number of Taiwan residents opposed "cultural Taiwan independence" and "de-Sinicization" in education. She added that they hope the situation can be corrected, with a sound curriculum put in place to carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture and safeguard the cultural and spiritual heritage of Taiwan compatriots.