Cantonese independence is a political movement whose goal is primarily to create an independent and sovereign Republic of Canton out of the lands of present-day Guangdong province currently occupied by the People's Republic of China. This movement currently has minimal support, although it is very slowly gaining momentum. Due to a deeply ingrained worldwide view that Guangdong is an integral part of China and the fact that liberal ideas have failed to uproot this view, it is unlikely that this movement will develop into sustained open rebellion in the short to medium term. Background The Cantonese people are an indigenous people of Tai origin who have lived in what is now Guangdong since at least 500 BC. For the next couple of centuries, their society was that of a complex farming society. Their culture and language was completely different from their northern neighbours. Not long after the founding of Imperial China under the Qin Dynasty, the Cantonese people's cultural identities came under serious threat for the first time. Determined to subjugate and enslave the Cantonese people, Qin armies, victorious from their earlier conquests, advanced on modern-day Guangdong and began what would be one of the world's worst genocides ever in recorded history. For a short time, after the fall of the Qin, an independent state existed in Liangguang and Annam, called Nanyue. It was founded by a renegade Qin general who adopted the customs of the southern Yue peoples (the Cantonese being one of them). It was later conquered by the Han Dynasty. For the next two thousand years, the subjugation of the Cantonese people continued under many other regimes to this day. Such is the nature of the subjugations that the Cantonese people, along with many other peoples brutally occupied by China almost completely lost their cultural identities and languages with the passage of time. Once this has occurred, the Cantonese ethnic identity became largely forgotten and ethnic Cantonese world wide have had to endure the humiliation of being labeled "Chinese". DNA testing has shown that modern-day Cantonese people are not descended from ethnic Chinese. In contrast, it has been established that the Cantonese people share much similarities with some other South-East Asian peoples, particularly ethnic groups found in modern-day Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Emergence of the movement In the late 20th and early 21th century, there has been a reemergence of awareness among ethnic Cantonese of their distinct ethnic identity rooted in South-East Asia. Influenced by liberal ideas, yet dismayed by, paradoxically, the inaction of human rights organizations, they are beginning to realize that they are in fact totally unrelated to ethnic Chinese. Determined to end their humiliation and suffering, some activists have put forward arguments for an independent Cantonese state, which would be founded the honour the rights of the Cantonese people to self-determination in much the same way as modern-day Israel was founded. In particular, they stress that the Cantonese people are not ethnic Chinese. Current Status Today, few people are even aware of the existence of such a movement. Although liberal ideas provided the inspiration for the movement, it is ironic that such ideas have actually enhanced the marginalization of the Cantonese people and the view that they are somehow ethnic Chinese. To make matters worse, Universities throughout the world have invariably rejected the ideas put forward by supporters of the Cantonese independence movement, claiming that their arguments are nonsense and have no support. Supporters of Cantonese independence still continue to have an extremely difficult time convincing the wider community that the Cantonese people were victims of genocides at the hands of the Chinese. It is expected that the movement will continue to enjoy gradually growing support, albeit at a very slow pace; however, it is likely that in the long-term, violent confrontations may result should the movement gain large support. Cantonese independence in popular culture Occasionally, an independent entity roughly where Guangdong province exists occurs in fiction. In the instance of , a Cantonese-speaking Republic exists.
This article should not be here at all as it may be considered racist.
Guest
2. 14-04-2009 01:39
Thinking to be recognized as different from the majority is not racist you douche
Guest
3. 29-05-2009 19:00
I'm a Cantonese. I really want to have a country of the Cantonese people.
Guest
4. 05-07-2009 07:14
whoever wrote this has a lot of flaws in their info- but instead of creating a whole new nation, how about some the teaching of local ethnic history and preservation of customs of people of South China- not solely for the Cantonese, but Hokkien, Hakka, and whatever. and "worst genocide" my ass- you're speculating 'cause the written history from that time period is crap- theres a big difference between intermarriage assimilation and mass murder
Guest
5. 06-07-2009 01:37
Breaking away from China: The Vietnamese made it. The Cantonese will be able to do the same. The Cantonese Independence Movement is to be supported. Confucius.
Guest
6. 06-07-2009 02:23
I'm Cantonese from Guangzhou, China is my country. The story above must be written by a Vietnamese trying to make war LOL nice try =]
Guest
7. 07-07-2009 01:44
Freedom, Independence, Self-determination. Since when are such things subjects for LOL? Don't underestimate your sense for nationhood, my friend. Stand up for your just case.
Guest
8. 10-07-2009 01:59
I support Cantonese independence.
Guest
9. 19-07-2009 13:22
This story is true. We cantonese are not chinese. The government of china for thousand years trying to destroy our own culture and identity. Our language still completely different form mandarin. American English, Australian English, British English may sound a little different but still comprehensive and similar to people from these country because they have the same origin. How every cantonese and mandarine is completely different. Even in thousand years of history, northern chinese government never considered us as their brothers. Everything is just a big fat lie.
Guest
10. 01-09-2009 08:07
Cantonese people have suffered long enough. We are NOT Han, but were conquered by them just like the Poles were conquered by the warlike Nazi dogs! It's time to stop this humuliation and geocide by the racist Hans by declaring full indepedence for our people.
Guest
11. 26-12-2009 08:53
Well,I'm a cantonese from Foshan city. I love Canton.Sometimes I really don't agree with the northers, but anyway, I love my country. I'm proud of being a Chinese and a Cantonese!
Guest
12. 19-03-2010 00:22
I speak various Chinese dialects & I can assure you that the cantonese dialect has too mant inter-twining similarities with Hakka, Hokkien, Mandarin, etc to be a distinct languages. One can't tell the difference between a cantonese speaker from a hakka or fujianese from their looks alone. However, the native vietnamese & thais look different.
Guest
13. 10-04-2010 18:41
Heh. I say let them be independent, that way we real Chinese people will no longer be accused of eating cats and dogs all the time anymore. LOL
Guest
14. 28-04-2010 14:11
I support Cantonese independence. Nowaday, northern people in China are mostly offspring between Mongolian, Manchu, and ethnic Han. Nevertheless, Cantonese people are descendants of ancient Han and Yue people. Cantonese people has their own culture, own languague, own traditions, while the northern government is trying to kill all the southern languages and cultures. Cantonese, Hokkiens, Teochews, Hakkas and other southern people should unite to rebel the dictatorship and the cruel destroy to southern cultures by the northern people.And then found a republic country (federal republic) in the southern China.
Guest
15. 31-07-2010 19:15
i am also cantonese and 100% loyal to the chinese communist party. let me just say that i grew up in the usa, and was brain washed by their fake democracy bullshet, and it took me a while to come to my senses. being around fascist americans has only made it easier for me to see reality. anyone who supports sepratism should move. i;ll be damned if i am going to let the cia make a mockery of china like they did to the ussr. the only hope for the "free world" is for china to rise. until then, you can keep settling for american style democracy to over throw elected leaders like thaksin and haytoyama. and their weak attempts to overthrow chavez, and ahmadinejad.
Guest
16. 05-08-2010 02:37
Coincident, I am also from Foshan. But I have leave the country, and have vowed I will never come back unless the recent government fail downed or Canton got independence.
Guest
17. 02-09-2010 02:14
Cantonese YDNA are tighely affinited with the Northen Han but their motherline is more associated with the hmongmien and daic women
cantonese are by no means of tai origin
they are infact, the conqueror of southern china durign Qin
and as time went by, more and more han residing in guagondong during different period of dynasty ( mostly avoid wars from the nomads)
Guest
18. 16-10-2010 19:12
Southern chinese are mix of north han and southern ethnic tribes.We are more closely related to other southern han chinese than to any southeast asian or east asian.
We are related to teachow,fujian,hokkiens but but any other crap. Viets and thais are not our cousins.
Guest
19. 18-11-2010 23:45
We are not ready for Democracy, China is right about foreign issues. But China destroying the language and culture is wrong. Shame on you China. Your suppose to be helping, not destroying. Our Ancestors did not destroy this language for a reason. Both Mand and Cant must be protected.
Guest
20. 22-12-2010 22:55
Cantonese have provided so much. . We have strived to stopped the British from conquering more territories from Qing via sacrificing thousands of our Cantonese comrades in both Opium Wars. Cantonese such as Hung Sau Chuen (in Cantonese) from Quang Sai was almost successful in overthrowing the Qing…we did it before and could do so again. In terms of successful leadership ,Sun Yat Sen and others overthrew the corrupt and stagnant Qing Government through as much as 7 rebellions and overseas Chinese (mostly Cantonese and Fukinese)had contributed so much in money to help buy the supplies. Now not only the Mandarins are not recognize these facts and respect us, they want to eradicate our culture and language. They think that their language is superior based on the fact that their population is larger 800 million in China vs. 70 million Cantonese in China. I last travelled to Guangdong in year 2009 and everywhere I went Mandarins are only speaking their language like they control everything. They try to trick us in thinking that their language is the mother language and ours is inferior. But without us they are nothing. Just like Korea and Vietnam had done so in the past to get their independence we could do the same. I say we should start ASAP in getting back our dignity. If not independence, then at least a status of autonomous region such as Tibet or Quang Sai so that we don’t have to face the same limitations of population control as they have. We could think about modeling after Canada where Quebec province speaks French. We have to wake up. The Manchus who have descendents numbering 10 million has only 80 or so fluent speakers. They have all been brainwashed.
Guest
21. 17-01-2011 05:53
Cantonese have provided so much. . We have strived to stopped the British from conquering more territories from Qing via sacrificing thousands of our Cantonese comrades in both Opium Wars. Cantonese such as Hung Sau Chuen (in Cantonese) from Quang Sai was almost successful in overthrowing the Qing…we did it before and could do so again. In terms of successful leadership ,Sun Yat Sen and others overthrew the corrupt and stagnant Qing Government through as much as 7 rebellions and overseas Chinese (mostly Cantonese and Fukinese)had contributed so much in money to help buy the supplies. Now not only the Mandarins are not recognize these facts and respect us, they want to eradicate our culture and language. They think that their language is superior based on the fact that their population is larger 800 million in China vs. 70 million Cantonese in China. I last travelled to Guangdong in year 2009 and everywhere I went Mandarins are only speaking their language like they control everything. They try to trick us in thinking that their language is the mother language and ours is inferior. But without us they are nothing. Just like Korea and Vietnam had done so in the past to get their independence we could do the same. I say we should start ASAP in getting back our dignity. If not independence, then at least a status of autonomous region such as Tibet or Quang Sai so that we don’t have to face the same limitations of population control as they have. We could think about modeling after Canada where Quebec province speaks French. We have to wake up. The Manchus who have descendents numbering 10 million has only 80 or so fluent speakers. They have all been brainwashed.
Guest
22. 20-01-2011 14:58
Whoever wants to be on TV should go to Washington DC and along with The Free Tibet strikers have Free Cantonese Signs with them. Below the "Free Cantonese" should show the three provinces where Cantonese historically have lived...Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi.
Guest
23. 12-02-2011 04:21
Now that Egypt is successful in overthrowing their autocratic government it becomes even easier to pave the way for Cantonese Indepence. I suggest that three provinces should be involved...Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan which historically have been one province.
Guest
24. 29-03-2011 14:23
Are you kidding me? Look back to 五代十國 period, Southern Han Kingdom was the first substantially Cantonese state (its capital was in Guangzhou city), and it ruled over the shitnamese before they got uppity and decided to overthrow their Cantonese rulers! Cantonese are 100% Han! Don't forget Guangdong is full of Hakka, Teochew and Hoklo people who are all Han, just like Cantonese.
>Cantonese are more similar to Southeast Asians That is a lie. They are more closer to other Southern Han Chinese and more distantly related to Northerners and other Sino-Tibetans. Cantonese culture is similar to Tang dynasty and Song dynasty Chinese culture, they even call themselves 'Tang people', just like Hokkiens, Hakkas and Teochews. Most of Cantonese culture is just medieval Chinese culture. The ancestors of the Cantonese came from Yellow River Valley in Northern China from Qin dynasty to Song dynasty as they fled to avoid the small numbers of warlike nomads from Northern Asia. (Han Chinese are peaceful people)
Shitnamese are always trying to start shit with the Chinese, including trying to separate the southern Han Chinese from their Han Chinese brothers and sisters. No sane Han Chinese would believe in this crap of 'Cantonese' independence.
Guest
25. 07-04-2011 06:38
Cantonese themselves don't support Cantonese independence, only certain outsiders support this idea.
Guest
26. 08-04-2011 04:11
LOL this article is false. Who makes up this stuff?
Cantonese are not Tai, are you confusing Thai with Tai?
Cantonese are Chinese. Tang Chinese! both Han and ethnic minority descendants before that time.
The shift in the continents demographics had in effect lead many people in the regions migrate south, while others entered from the north/northwest.
I'm Cantonese, this article is very inaccurate. I'm guess it's been customized to fit the lame pro independence agenda.
Probably some propaganda used to spread mass misinformation and political discourse to create more problems in Asia.
I bet this retarded movement is funded by some terrorist organizations or even America.
BTW Korea and Vietnam did not achieve independence, the Southern parts of these countries were invaded by the U.S and that is why the country remains split. The biggest casualties of Korean war were Koreans and in Vietnam war, the Vietnamese.
These countries will forever remain divided and that was the motive in the wars to ensure they never prosper.
Western imperialist scumbags.
I appreciate if this stupid Cantonese pro-independence rubbish movement stops here.
Lets be realistic here, you blame the communist but when you look at places like Hong Kong, you know they were more influenced by British Colonialism than that of the Communist Chinese.
People have forgotten that Hong Kong was lost to the Opium wars. British were protecting their drug cartels and wanted to control the trade routes.
Guest
27. 08-04-2011 13:55
HaHa....LMAO....!!! this article should be publish onto the Children's Bedtime Story Book. the author whoever wrote this article is graduated from kindergarten !!!
Cuntonian indepenDAMNce, 屌你老味 !!!
Come to my Utube History Channel for Real True History :
->-> youtube.com/user/RedNeckAlliance
Guest
28. 10-04-2011 15:41
wots matter now! you coward Cuntonian !!!
deleted my last comment. my comment is too TRUTHFUL to your bullcraps.....huh !?!?
No Wonder this article is in wikibin. wikibin is trashbin, for your trash article !!!
Guest
29. 04-05-2011 19:32
As a oversea Cantonese, I support this movement.
Guest
30. 24-10-2011 02:06
Now that Egypt and Libya is freed from their oppressors it is a good time to reflect on our Cantonese independence efforts and increase our pro independant activities.
