Mainland slams DPP's "de-Sinicization" attempts in altering demographic terms

BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday condemned attempts by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to push "de-Sinicization" and sever the historical and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to the DPP authorities' recent act of reclassifying people of the Han ethnic group as the island's "other" population in its official demographic data.

Earlier this month, Taiwan's executive body revised demographic information on its official website, removing the term "Han people" and replacing it with "other populations."

The revision erased explicit recognition of the Han people -- Taiwan's largest ethnic group, which has been the island's majority demographic for centuries.

"It is completely absurd and ridiculous," Chen said. "How can those who carry out such acts, particularly those counted as the so-called 'other populations', face their ancestors without shame?

Chen reiterated that people on both sides of the Strait share the same bloodline, culture and historical heritage, and all belong to the Chinese nation.