The fate of the mausoleums of dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) descended into family squabbling yesterday after Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator John Chiang (蔣孝嚴), a son of Chiang Ching-kuo, said he did not support relocating the tombs to China.
"Those who don't understand Taiwanese politics should not get too involved in the issue. He or she should speak with caution," he said while visiting the mausoleums at Tzuhu (慈湖) and Touliao (頭寮) in Taoyuan County yesterday.
John Chiang was apparently referring to Chiang Fang Chih-yi (
Chiang Fang Chih-yi said on Sunday that the family had reached a consensus on sending the remains of the two men back to their hometown in Zhejiang Province, China, consistent with Chiang Ching-kuo's wishes, rather than relocating the remains to the Wuchihshan Military Cemetery (五指山軍人公墓) in Taipei County as the family had previously requested the government do.
In January 2004, Faina Chiang (
The government has earmarked NT$39 million (US$1.2 million) to be spent on the project. More than NT$27 million was spent on the construction of a tomb at the Wuchihshan Military Cemetery.
No one in the Chiang family was able to act as head of the household, John Chiang said yesterday. He said he would urge former premier Hau Pei-tsun (郝柏村) to convene a meeting of the extended Chiang family after next year's elections to discuss the issue.
Hau was close to Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo.
When asked for comment, KMT's presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said he respected the decisions made by the Chiang family.
KMT Legislator Shuai Hua-ming (帥化民) said it was "natural and normal" for the Chiang family to propose removing Chiang Kai-shek's and Chiang Ching-kuo's mausoleums to their hometown in Zhejiang Province, China, because they wanted to prevent their deceased family members from being "insulted" by "clowns," in an apparent reference to politicians in the pan-green camp.
Nevertheless, he urged the Chiang family to understand that "Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo belong to the Republic of China."
"Chiang Ching-kuo clearly expressed his dedication and love for Taiwan by establishing his father's mausoleum at Tzuhu while selecting Touliao as the location of his own mausoleum," said Shuai, a former lieutenant-general.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS