KMT to work on Taiwan's history

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) has ordered his party to establish a committee to edit and republish a book written by his grandfather, a Chinese-language newspaper reported yesterday.

The General History of Taiwan (台灣通史), written by Lien Heng (連橫) and first published in 1920, was a comprehensive work on Taiwan's history covering 12 centuries up to 1918.

"You, being a Taiwanese, cannot be ignorant of Taiwanese history," Lien Heng quoted his father as saying to him in the preface of his huge historical work.

Though many factual mistakes were found in the book and it was criticized by contemporary historians as being academically illogical, Lien Heng's work has become a classic of Taiwanese history.

In addition, the KMT is reportedly organizing a series of large-scale activities for the 85th anniversary of the publication of the elder Lien's work.

Political observers said the party's plan to further glorify Lien Chan's grandfather is aimed at highlighting the party's attempts to portray itself as promoting the spirit of Taiwanization.

KMT spokesman Alex Tsai (蔡正元) said yesterday that the point of view of the General History of Taiwan is Taiwan-centered and its vision was based on the ROC's historical experience.

Tsai added that since the historical record of the General History of Taiwan ends in 1918, the rest of Taiwan's history has to be added.

"The KMT's ambition to write Taiwan's history is to realize Mr. Lien Heng's great aspiration," Tsai said.