Reframing national identity in Taiwan: Republic of China nationalism and the merging of identities

This paper reassesses the prevailing framework that interprets national identity in Taiwan as a continuum between Taiwanese and Chinese identities. It introduces the Republic of China as a distinct national identity and highlights the critical role of the dual Taiwanese–ROC identity. A historical analysis of presidential discourse from Lee Teng-hui to Lai Ching-te shows how elites have strategically reinterpreted the Republic of China to ease identity tensions, mobilise voters, and preserve sovereignty. Survey data from 2021–2023 illustrate the persistence of the Republic of China identity and the increasing significance of the dual identity across age cohorts and partisan affiliations.