2002/07/07 Jim Cheng／Chairman of NATPA
Friends of Heart in Taiwan

Dear Dr. Wang,

    Aren't we all left our heart in Taiwan? Those who think 
of Taiwan are all friends, brothers and sisters. What a 
beautiful name your association, "Friends of Heart in Taiwan", 
has!

    We had a hot debate among my close friends of NATPA 
members. It is about the origin and the identity of Taiwanese. 
They say the origin is not important as far as people identity 
themselves. I say "Do not underestimate the importance of the 
origin." I sent portions of discussions to Dr. Lin, which you 
may have read in this network. Results of the discussion are 
not a "tearing one another apart." It is a draw; they say 
theirs and I say mine. Luckily, we had the so-called "mutual 
respect" which is what mature people in general can understand 
and that I cherish most. Recently, I have found out the reason 
behind the opposing arguments. One was descendant of a 
Manchurian "Chin-su (passing the nation's test of sort)" and a 
high-ranking government official. This one is an 
internationally known scholar himself and also a son of a very 
noted Taiwanese. He did not participated in the debate but he 
thinks he has a Han blood connection. The other two are among
the most staunch Taiwan Independent advocates in our NATPA. 
Both have the so-called "reliable 'blood' connection with Han" 
based on what they were told by their grandfathers or great 
grandfathers... that the family originally came from China.

   The trouble is that almost everyone, including myself, has 
the same story. I was told my mother's side came from Quemoy 
(Kim-men). When I was sent to Quemoy in late 1950's, I found 
the place so desolate that one would doubt if there were even 
simple huts for people to live. Amoy is very far away, but 
there is a Quemoy spot, from where I think that traitor Lin 
swam to China. It is only 1 km away to China mainland. Is 
there any well formed villages nearby across the water in 
China? The answer is a big fat "NO!" I believe my maternal 
side grandfather had never been in Quemoy. Why? He was one of 
the only a few very very rich and "well-educated" gentlemen in 
the whole area. So did he come from that desolate, all rocky 
tiny islet (even can not be said as an islet)? Everyone has a 
glorious family lineage of his or her own, but almost everyone 
is not related. Can it be real? Have they ever asked if these 
lineages are all true? Ask them to tell the glorious family 
history to a Chinese. I bet all Shina-jin will laugh their 
"butt-out" (another American slang meaning "Shiri 'or ketsu' 
o dasu, or 'koshi-nuke suru'") These Chiankoro would be 
delighted to say you are a "ro-han-ka" if you claim yourself 
being a Han, or you are a Fanah at best.

   Recently I began to know a senior who was one of a few 
brave Taiwanese of the late 1940's to 1950's. After reading 
my article on the Mitochondria, he called me up from 
California (that is from one end of US to the other end) and 
we talked for one and a half hour. We have become close friend 
now. He even told me the fact that Taiwanese are not Chinese 
has long been known in some US government sectors. Yes my 
friend, I lost a very good Chinese friend and owed to another 
very kind young Chinese lady because of my stand on Taiwan. 
But I have gained this respectful old gentleman's friendship. 
Both are equally important. I am only following the tract that 
my understanding on the human dignity is telling me to not to 
mention that I have got to know you and Dr. Lin through this 
network. So the tract that I am following is not bad at all. 
On the contrary, I am so exciting that I do not know how to 
express my deep appreciation!

   By the way I am still waiting your answer on HLA etc that 
you mentioned in your previous posting. Thank you.


   Jim Cheng. 
   July 5, 2002