The National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall (台灣民主紀念館) and the new inscription on the hall's main arch epitomizes the nation's democracy and we should sympathize and pity those who still pine after the past regime, Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) said after workers completed installation of the new inscription on the hall at 4pm yesterday.
Tu said the 240,000m2 area, located in the heart of Taipei City, was "holy ground" for Taiwan's democracy.
The area, surrounded by its signature blue-trimmed white walls and its main hall, was built in 1980 in honor of former dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), who ruled Taiwan for 27 years until 1975.
The change of name is part of a government effort to rid the country of all remnants of Chiang's legacy. Back in May, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) ordered the eradication of any Chiang or China-related artifacts to signify the end of the past authoritarian regime.
"Over the years, several large-scale demonstrations were held here demanding a democratic government that respected the universal principle of human rights," Tu said.
"This is where the Aboriginal tribes fought for their land rights and their right to self-govern. This is where tens of thousands of students protested against a corrupt government and this is where the Taiwanese people chastised China when it passed the `Anti-Secession Law'," he said.
Tu said he understood that "a select few beneficiaries" of the Chiang regime might experience "separation anxiety" when seeing the hall change from a shrine worshipping a dictator to a place honoring the nation's emerging democracy.
"We urge those who are still nostalgic for the past regime to break free from the shackles of authoritarian rule and embrace democracy," he said.
The Ministry of Education announced the hall would be officially reopened to the public this morning at 10am after having been fenced off since last Thursday.
The ministry also confirmed reports that one of the characters of the original name plaque broke in half during the dismantling process, but gave assurances that it had been sent for repair.
So far the ministry has not made it clear where the original inscription would be stored, except to say the artifact would be kept in a safe place.
The project has sparked polarized reactions from the public. While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) praised the project as a giant leap in the nation's push for full democracy, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lambasted the move as a "dirty election tactic" meant to secure votes in the upcoming elections.
In the midst of the arguments over the hall's fate, ministry Secretary-General Chuang Kuo-jung (
The DPP has labeled him "a shining star" and a "courageous man who speaks for the people." KMT supporters, however, have slammed the former assistant professor as a "pathetic blemish" on Taiwan's education system and the DPP's newest "hitman."
"I only answer to myself and no one else," Chuang said, responding to the criticism.
Chuang also branded KMT presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou (
When asked if the ministry approved of Chuang's conduct over the last few days, Tu said Chuang is "a model public servant worthy of emulation by all government workers."
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE: More than five earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook eastern Taiwan in rapid succession yesterday afternoon Back-to-back weather fronts are forecast to hit Taiwan this week, resulting in rain across the nation in the coming days, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday, as it also warned residents in mountainous regions to be wary of landslides and rockfalls. As the first front approached, sporadic rainfall began in central and northern parts of Taiwan yesterday, the agency said, adding that rain is forecast to intensify in those regions today, while brief showers would also affect other parts of the nation. A second weather system is forecast to arrive on Thursday, bringing additional rain to the whole nation until Sunday, it
CONDITIONAL: The PRC imposes secret requirements that the funding it provides cannot be spent in states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Emma Reilly said China has been bribing UN officials to obtain “special benefits” and to block funding from countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a former UN employee told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. At a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee hearing into “international relations within the multilateral system,” former Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) employee Emma Reilly said in a written statement that “Beijing paid bribes to the two successive Presidents of the [UN] General Assembly” during the two-year negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Another way China exercises influence within the UN Secretariat is
CHINA REACTS: The patrol and reconnaissance plane ‘transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,’ the 7th Fleet said, while Taipei said it saw nothing unusual The US 7th Fleet yesterday said that a US Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait, a day after US and Chinese defense heads held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions. The patrol and reconnaissance plane “transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,” the 7th Fleet said in a news release. “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.” In a separate statement, the Ministry of National Defense said that it monitored nearby waters and airspace as the aircraft
Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique