Analysis Of "Taiwan Consciousness.

"Taiwan consciousness" refers to the common psychological cognition of Taiwan people formed during the long period of living together, which is the reflection of "Chinese consciousness" in Taiwan. It has different connotations in different historical periods, which basically consists of three aspects from Ming and Qing Dynasties to now: the passionate feelings of the love for hometowns; the sorrowful awareness for tortured past; the simple wish for mastery. Profound backgrounds have contributed to the formation of "Taiwan consciousness": primarily it is because of the settlement and exploitation of immigrants from the mainland, manifesting as the passionate feelings of the love for hometowns; the external factor is the long-term colonial rule, which reflects as the sorrowful awareness for tortured past; and the political reason is government’s corruption, making people’s sorrowful feelings even deeper and prompting them to appeal to democracy. There are also realistic conditions such as developing of economy and emerging of middle class, offering material basis and class foundation and turning democratic aspirations of mastery from theory to reality.There are two developing trends of "Taiwan consciousness" since Taiwan democratization: the trend of integrating with "Chinese Consciousness", which is embodied in "Taiwan Consciousness"; as well as the trend of deviating from "Chinese Consciousness", or "Consciousness of Taiwan Independence", which is the alienation of "Taiwan Consciousness". During the reign of Chiang kai-shek and his son,"Chinese Consciousness" remained the mainstream opinion of Taiwan society. During Li Denghui’s and Chen Shuibian’s time in office,"Taiwan Consciousness" quickly alienated into "Consciousness of Taiwan Independence". As Ma Yingjiu holds power,"Taiwan Consciousness" gradually connects with "Chinese Consciousness". Under the backgrounds of alternation of power between the Blue and Green political parties, the two trends wax and wan in turn. What should be made clear is that "Chinese Consciousness" is the essence of "Taiwan Consciousness", which is on no account equal to "Consciousness of Taiwan Independence"."Consciousness of Taiwan Independence" should never represent the mainstream of public opinion in the society of Taiwan.Constrained by objective conditions and realistic factors, with distinctions existing between Taiwan and mainland on "Taiwan consciousness", the research shows the feature of being complex and intricate. Following the development of "Taiwan consciousness", which is an important factor affecting peace and development of Taiwan and mainland, we ought to be firmly against "Consciousness of Taiwan Independence" and respect the mainstream of public opinion in Taiwan. On the other hand, on the basis of shelving difference, taking "national identity" as integrating point, we must build consensus and promote the sustained as well as stable development in relations between Taiwan and mainland.