Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Memoir of Taiwan’s turning point

Lee Hsiao-feng 李筱峰

Right after the end of World War II, Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) asked Tsai Pei-huo (蔡培火), an intellectual and political activist during the Japanese colonial era, whether there were any talented people in Taiwan. Tsai responded that there were two very important Taiwanese that Chiang must know about. One was Lin Hsien-tang (林獻堂), and the other Chen Hsin (陳炘). Lin was the iconic leader of Taiwanese society, and Chen Hsin was a financial expert.

Rash of ‘defacements’ hits Chiang Kai-shek statues

Taipei Times

The words “villain” and “killer” were painted on a statue of former president Chiang Kai-shek in Taichung’s Jhongjheng Park, pictured yesterday.
Photo: Chang Ching-ya, Taipei Times

An usually high number of protests targeting statues of former president Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) have been reported across the nation in the wake of the 68th anniversary of the 228 Incident on Saturday.

A statue of Chiang erected in Taichung City’s Jhongjheng Park (中正公園) was found yesterday morning covered with white and red paint as well as ghost money, with the Chinese characters for “killer” and “villain” spray-painted on its pedestal.

Time to end servile Chiang worship

Taipei Times Editorial

Despite repeated promises from President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) that the government will continue to do everything possible to compensate the families of 228 Incident victims, the majority of them have reacted with skepticism. Perhaps the president should realize that what his administration is lacking is sincerity.

Ma bows, laments, admits that what the government has done is far from enough, yet year after year, the victims’ families slam the government’s efforts to address their grievances.

Tears, controversy mark 228 memorial

Taipei Times

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, left, and President Ma Ying-jeou attend a ceremeony commemorating the victims of the 228 Incident in the 228 Peace Memorial Park in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

The painful history of the 228 Incident — and the torment and grief that families of its victims still feel — were brought into sharp focus yesterday by Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) when he delivered an emotional speech at the government’s memorial ceremony, after which it appeared that he refused to shake hands with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

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