Chen Shui-bian paid tribute to his ancestors and claimed they came from Fujian, but he is not a Hakka.

Chen Shui-bian returned to Guantian Township in Tainan County on the morning of April 4th to sweep the graves and pay respects to his ancestors, and participated in the unveiling ceremony of the "Xi Zhuang Chen Clan Genealogy." Chen Shui-bian admitted that his ancestors came from Fujian Province in mainland China, but stated that he is not a Hakka person.

According to Central News Agency reports, on the morning of April 4th, arranged by the Xi Zhuang Chen Clan Association, Chen Shui-bian first went to the ancestral cemetery of the Xi Zhuang Chen family to sweep the graves and pay respects to his ancestors, then proceeded to the Chen family temple to offer incense and worship. He then moved to the square in front of Hui An Palace to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Xi Zhuang Chen clan genealogy.

During the ceremony, Chen Shui-bian said in his speech that after being elected as "President" in 2000, many people were very curious about his background, and even began to search for his roots. One theory was that the founding ancestor of the Xi Zhuang Chen clan came from Baiye Village in Zhao'an County, Fujian Province. However, he remembered seeing "Zheng Ri Bao" written on the spirit tablet at home when he was a child, while the Guantian Township Gazetteer mentioned Ciyao Village in Zhao'an County.

Chen Shui-bian said that during the process of investigation by various parties, some said he was the descendant of the second generation of the founding ancestor Chen Wu of the Chen clan, while others claimed he was from the third or fourth generation, leaving him confused himself. Now, with the official release of the genealogy, all doubts have been resolved. He expressed great gratitude to many clansmen who contributed financially and worked hard to complete the historical research spanning three hundred years within just a few short years.

"Mistaking 'Chen Wu' for 'Chen Niao,' Chen Shui-bian wrongly recognized his ancestor for several years."

Chen Shui-bian pointed out that in the past, it was mistakenly assumed that "Chen Niao" from Baiye Village in Zhao'an County was the founding ancestor of the Xi Zhuang Chen clan. However, now it has been confirmed that the actual founding ancestor "Chen Wu" originated from another person in Ciyao Village, Zhao'an County, who was born fifty years earlier than Chen Niao. The genealogy also confirmed that he himself is a descendant of the third generation of Chen Wu.

Chen Shui-bian said that many people believe that Zhao'an County in Fujian Province is a Hakka county, so he should be a Hakka person. However, upon investigation, it was found that not every village in Zhao'an County is a Hakka village. Baiye Village is a Hakka village, but Ciyao Village is a Hoklo village.