"Modernized" native Taiwan

What changes would be needed for Taiwan to remain independent like Japan and be a modern power.

The dominant ethnic groups must be Austronesian in origin. Immigration is acceptable, but the Taiwanese for the most part cannot identify as Chinese, even allowing for Chinese cultural influence. Basically a situation like Korea or Japan.

Is a PoD after 1 AD possible? The later the better for bonus points.
 
Would a foreign group conquering the island and then assimilating work? I could see that happening some time in the first millennium AD, especially during one of China’s more chaotic periods
 
Well, when the Dutch first imported Chinese male workers, they married aboriginal women. But their children largely adopted the Han culture and identity. If we change it so those Chinese were willing to adopt the aboriginal culture or accept a hybrid culture, and prevent immediate immigration to the island (at least, not to point where the immigrant culture immediately overtakes the aboriginal one) then we may have something close to what you say.

Even in OTL there was no shortage of aboriginal rebellions too. They were a tough and solid bunch. I can see them build a nation, but they would need Dutch and Fujianese help to maintain a unity that otherwise would be at war with each other.

I myself have Taiwanese aboriginal ancestry (I think most Taiwanese do, they just don’t realize this).
 
Well, when the Dutch first imported Chinese male workers, they married aboriginal women. But their children largely adopted the Han culture and identity. If we change it so those Chinese were willing to adopt the aboriginal culture or accept a hybrid culture, and prevent immediate immigration to the island (at least, not to point where the immigrant culture immediately overtakes the aboriginal one) then we may have something close to what you say.

Even in OTL there was no shortage of aboriginal rebellions too. They were a tough and solid bunch. I can see them build a nation, but they would need Dutch and Fujianese help to maintain a unity that otherwise would be at war with each other.

I myself have Taiwanese aboriginal ancestry (I think most Taiwanese do, they just don’t realize this).
Maybe colonial taiwan under the dutch could lead to a developed aborginal taiwan in the future. This predicated on more pliable natives. Making it easier to use the indiginous work force to develop the colony.
 
What customes?

He's probably referring to the head hunting traditions of some of the aboriginals.

Speaking of which, for visualization purposes:

Seediq Bale is a film by a Taiwanese director (possibly its most famous director at the moment). Part of his "Colonial Taiwan" trilogy that endeavours to show different aspects of Taiwan in the past.

Now the climax of this film...(1930)


Takes place in the same year as this film... (ending in 1931). By the same director.


Both films are about real historical events and peoples.

Just to show the contrast between some tribes vs others, some aboriginals vs others (the ones who integrated more into urban life).

I know it shows Japanese influence more it does the Austronesians, but is till a valuable visual cue to the aboriginal culture and identity in some ways.
 
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Since it was believed that the Minyue were related to the indigenous Taiwanese, how about the possiblity that the plurality (or significant part, actually) of the Minyue population, nobles/aristocrats and royal family included, fled to western Taiwan after the Han conquest and set up a kingdom there? I know they're slightly/partly Sinicized, but it could be a boost.
 
He's probably referring to the head hunting traditions of some of the aboriginals.

Speaking of which, for visualization purposes:

Seediq Bale is a film by a Taiwanese director (possibly its most famous director at the moment). Part of his "Colonial Taiwan" trilogy that endeavours to show different aspects of Taiwan in the past.

Now the climax of this film...(1930)


Takes place in the same year as this film... (ending in 1931). By the same director.


Both films are about real historical events and peoples.

Just to show the contrast between some tribes vs others, some aboriginals vs others (the ones who integrated more into urban life).

I know it shows Japanese influence more it does the Austronesians, but is till a valuable visual cue to the aboriginal culture and identity in some ways.
Abortion, I mean.
 
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