In China's shadow, an island asserts its identity

While ethnic Chinese make up more than 95 per cent of Taiwan's population, Austronesian peoples were its only inhabitants for centuries before they arrived. In the early 17th century, Spain set up a colony in the north of the island and the Dutch East India Company colonised the south-western plains. Here, they encountered the Siraya, Hsieh's ancestors. The Dutch rendition of the Siraya name of the place where they settled, Tayovan, is believed to be the origin of the island's name today. Dutch rule facilitated Chinese immigration: after they built forts, subjugated some Indigenous tribes and negotiated land access with…