Print

Mail

wiki links

The district that came out of the shadows

The Poai district (博愛特區) has been lit up since last Wednesday night, an event that should not be overlooked. The once-imposing buildings in the area, previously associated with authoritarianism, have begun to be thought of as nothing more than mere pieces of architecture.

Often the scene of violent street protests by members of the opposition, the area has been slowly undergoing a transformation brought about primarily by former Taipei mayor Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and his successor, Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

The public image of the Poai district has been restored.During the history of Taiwan's democratic development, the Poai district has had a unique and complicated public image. During the time of Japan's occupation, the Japanese governor-general's office, now Taiwan's Presidential Office, was a symbol of the ruling power that controlled the political and economic machinery of the colony, and no Taiwanese citizens were even allowed to come close to the building. After the KMT fled from China to Taiwan, and martial law was put into effect, the Poai district was a rallying point for opposition parties and social activists to stage protests against the KMT's dictatorship. Heavy police presence, concertina wire, and endless confrontations branded the Poai district as a political flashpoint.

The authoritarian image started to change when Chen Shui-bian was elected as mayor. Dance parties were held in front of the Presidential Office and the road in front of the building was open to motorcycle traffic. These two things alone did much to break down the image of the area as one of iron-fisted control -- an area unknown and off-limits to the public.

Allowing dancing gave the young people the feeling that the area was no longer menacing.

liberates young people's impression of political taboo. Motorcycles passings by showed that the road was being used fairly as a public asset.

Mayor Ma followed Chen's policies by literally shedding light on the subject of the area. Currently four buildings are illuminated at night:the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the East Gate and the South Gate of old Taipei City. In the near future, the Executive Yuan (行政院) and the Chiehshou Guest House (介壽館) near the Presidential Office will also be under the lights.

From now on, the dark and forboding nights of the Poai district are being relegated to history. They have been replaced by delicate and bright nights of a modern metropolitan city.

The image of the Poai district is changing gradually. It is leaving authoritarianism behind and heading to the people.

Ho Jung-hsing is the chief of the city desk of the Liberty Times.
This story has been viewed 1770 times.