On March 26, the day of the rally opposing China's "Anti-Secession" Law, Council for Cultural Affairs (CCA) Vice Chairman Wu Ching-fa (吳錦發) joined the crowd, encouraging Taiwanese people to voice their abhorrence of China's threats by reading his English-language poem Don't say I have no tears.
In January, the artist-turned-politician published his latest book, The Boyhood Trilogy. It is a semi-autobiographical account of the complex relationship between Taiwan's ethnic groups as seen through the eyes of a teenager living in a Hakka village, and who encounters Hoklo people, Aborigines and Mainlanders as he grows up.
Wu, who grew up in a Hakka village with an Aboriginal heritage from his father, has contributed to Taiwan's search for a national identity and growing cultural expression through his novels, movies and efforts to promote cultural awareness as an administrator.
Born in the Hakka community of Meinung, Kaohsiung County, Wu is famous for his depictions of idealistic and romantic youths struggling to adjust to the adult world.
His novels, including the well-known Spring and Autumn Tea House, and The Autumn Chrysanthemum, which were later made into the film Youth Without Regret, explore conflict between ethnic groups during the 1980s.
Wu later became an editorialist -- with the alternative viewpoint of a southern Taiwanese. The versatile writer has also dedicated his life to researching the nation's history and literature, fieldwork and community development.
All of these achievements helped Wu earn the position of CCA vice chairman last year.
"Wu represents the voice of southern Taiwan, which has never been heard in the 22-year history of the council. I believe that his expertise in the field of literature and experiences in fieldwork and community development will be great assets in assisting the council with such matters," Council Chairman Chen Chi-nan (
"In addition, with ethnic diversity and cultural awareness becoming an important direction for the council, I think Wu is the perfect person to incorporate Hakka and Aboriginal heritages into the council's efforts to promote "localization" in an era of globalization," Chen said.
Speaking on his plans to reconcile ethnic groups and create a harmonious environment for the next generation, Wu said he would promote "peaceful development" in all communities.
"Peaceful community reorganization is the key for Taiwan to move from politicizing ethnic issues to solving difficulties among ethnic groups in a practical way," Wu said.
"We should empower each ethnic group to decide its cultural and historical values, and map out plans to reorganize the communities. The council's job is to assist each group in protecting their cultural and historical assets by communicating with local governments," he said.
Wu said cultural awareness and ethnic reconciliation can be enhanced by reviving the unique experiences of local communities.
"I am doing my fieldwork in every part of Taiwan and acting as the council's mobile office to hear people from various ethnic groups. We [the council] are holding local culture and history workshops to help people reorganize their communities," Wu said.
Wu also encourages people of different ethnic backgrounds to understand and respect each other's circumstances and experiences.
"The first step is to immerse people in minority groups, and make them experience and understand their lifestyles and cultures hidden inside," Wu told the Taipei Times.
"For example, we held a camp in an Amis tribe in Taitung. Participants had to live with the tribespeople and learned things like hunting skills and the meanings of various ceremonies. I think this is the simplest and most profound way for different ethnic groups to better understand one another," he said.
Although a busy schedule as an administrative figure occupies most of his time, literature and film have never left Wu's life.
In addition to working on a new novel depicting Taiwan's political history and the changes in its cultural scene, Wu writes poems and keeps notes of his ideas whenever inspiration comes.
He also talks about the decline of the film industry in Taiwan, and has plans to bring revive people's passion for local films by promoting film festivals.
Developing Taiwan's national identity and cultural awareness, however, is what concerns Wu the most.
"Taiwan is a place with many ethnic groups and a confused identity. We need to establish our own cultural and political identity, and find out who we are through localization, while embracing globalization at the same time," Wu said.
The inspection equipment and data transmission system for new robotic dogs that Taipei is planning to use for sidewalk patrols were developed by a Taiwanese company, the city’s New Construction Office said today, dismissing concerns that the China-made robots could pose a security risk. The city is bringing in smart robotic dogs to help with sidewalk inspections, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Ssu-chuan (李四川) said on Facebook. Equipped with a panoramic surveillance system, the robots would be able to automatically flag problems and easily navigate narrow sidewalks, making inspections faster and more accurate, Lee said. By collecting more accurate data, they would help Taipei
STATS: Taiwan’s average life expectancy of 80.77 years was lower than that of Japan, Singapore and South Korea, but higher than in China, Malaysia and Indonesia Taiwan’s average life expectancy last year increased to 80.77 years, but was still not back to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic peak of 81.32 years in 2020, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday. The average life expectancy last year increased the 0.54 years from 2023, the ministry said in a statement. For men and women, the average life expectancy last year was 77.42 years and 84.30 years respectively, up 0.48 years and 0.56 years from the previous year. Taiwan’s average life expectancy peaked at 81.32 years in 2020, as the nation was relatively unaffected by the pandemic that year. The metric
TAKING STOCK: The USMC is rebuilding a once-abandoned airfield in Palau to support large-scale ground operations as China’s missile range grows, Naval News reported The US Marine Corps (USMC) is considering new sites for stockpiling equipment in the West Pacific to harden military supply chains and enhance mobility across the Indo-Pacific region, US-based Naval News reported on Saturday. The proposed sites in Palau — one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — and Australia would enable a “rapid standup of stored equipment within a year” of the program’s approval, the report said, citing documents published by the USMC last month. In Palau, the service is rebuilding a formerly abandoned World War II-era airfield and establishing ancillary structures to support large-scale ground operations “as China’s missile range and magazine
Passengers on Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) will be required to use headphones and make phone calls in gangways under new “quiet travel” rules starting Sept. 22. THSR Chairman Shih Che (史哲) told media that THSR will run a three-month promotional campaign to ensure widespread adoption of the new rules. Those repeatedly ignoring the guidance face the potential termination of their transport contract, which can result in them getting escorted off the train, according to THSR. Shih shared his hope to cultivate an environment conducive to rest and reading for the train’s passengers, stating that these changes aim to “promote self-discipline” among passengers
RSS