Taiwan is like 30% mainlanders (support the KMT, families came over in 1947) and 70% native taiwanese (came from fujian before and during the Japanese occupation). The way the KMT took over the island in 1947 creates a lot of animosity between the two groups, coupled with the fact that the mainlanders control much more of the economy than the natives.

Even if the KMT wins elections in the future, they still have to cater to that 70% of the population that want very little to do with the mainland.

Aren’t the natives the indigenous people of Taiwan?

It depends on context. There are the original prior to Dutch trade natives (naruan, whatever) and the colonists from the mainland that came in waves over time who are now native in relation to post WWII immigrants from the mainland after Mao defeated the nationalists on the mainland.

It’s not too different from someone who is a German native but isn’t caucasian, for example.

The various Austronesian tribes in the Urheimat, yes.

Still, the distinction between Japan occupation-experiencing Han population and the evacuated Mainlander Han is an important one.

Isn’t that the problem? The Japanese treated Taiwan as a first class province, while Chiang Kai Shek was much more authoritarian with his take over of the island (killing off a lot of the island leaders and educated people to prevent dissent). This has led to a much closer relationship between Taiwan and Japan, and a harsher relationship with the mainland.

Technically ya, but in modern usage it refers to a previous wave of immigration to Taiwan from Fujian.

Taiwanese aborigines are firmly in the KMT/mainlander camp.