Thu, Oct 28, 1999 page8

• A true Taiwanese patriot: Liao Chung-shan

  • Linda Gail Arrigo
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  I first saw Professor Liao Chung-shan (1???s) some seven or eight years ago; I believe it was at a memorial for 2-28 victims in Tainan. I was surprised to see that there was an organization called Mainlanders Advocating Taiwan Independence (外省?H台灣獨立促進會), and I was moved that they chose to appear and express their sympathy. I knew it was a difficult position for them to take, but that Professor Liao, the founder of the association, was not a man to back down from formidable tasks. Since I speak Mandarin Chinese but not Taiwanese, I have long been in a similar position. Even though I am a US citizen, I was moved by the sacrifices he had made and his willingness to serve a just cause in which he represented a minority.

  About two years after this first meeting, I helped Professor Liao to translate a brief introduction for his book Ocean Taiwan into English. From this work I found that he had tremendous creativity and resourcefulness. He saw problems of culture and identity in Taiwan, and he thought up ways to create new solutions.

  As he would say, Chinese culture is the culture of a land-locked feudal kingdom, arrogant and isolated, hierarchical and oppressive. The martial law of the Republic of China cut the people of Taiwan off from their own mountains and made them afraid of their own rivers and oceans.

  Taiwanese can now realize that they are a maritime nation with the resources to communicate with and learn from the world. But to do this they must come close again to the ocean, and learn to sail and to swim. In his plan, Professor Liao likewise drew on his own technical expertise in maritime law and navigation.

  He followed current events carefully and was indefatigable in writing newspaper articles that gave a sharp analysis of current events. He was vehement in denouncing opportunism in political figures of all parties.

  These are the organizations and activities for which Professor Liao is known to the public. But in the last two years, I got to know him much better as a person, especially since I came to live near Liao and his wife in Chingtan, south of Hsintien. I came to regard him with great affection. Although he had the demeanor and cropped hair of a military man, Professor Liao was gentle and full of concern for others. Although his health gradually deteriorated over the last few years, this did not seem to change his cheerful disposition. Even after he was diagnosed with cancer in July, his concern was not with himself, but with national issues. On the way to the hospital one day, he told a story of political satire, and his laughter made deep creases in his cheeks. I felt that he was an inspiration to me for how to face death -- and also how to face life.

  He was staying in one of the older buildings at National Taiwan University Hospital in late September. Ho Shu-yuan (|騞??/CHINESE>) and I held our wedding reception at the 2-28 Memorial Museum on the evening of Sept. 28. Due to the earthquake, the event was cancelled, but we still met there with 10 or so friends, sat around the wooden tables at the side of the museum and cut a cake. Professor Liao came over from the hospital in a wheelchair, wearing an A-bian knitted hat. I was glad to have this opportunity to hug him and talk with him. He could only stay for about 40 minutes, but before he left he became serious, and I knew he was telling us what was most important to him.

  First, he said, he knew his condition was terminal and that he did not have long to live. He only hoped, he said, that he could live long enough -- to next March -- to see the KMT pulled from power. He said he hoped that the presidency would not go to James Soong (宋楚瑜), which could bring back the forces of conservatism. He said he knew that many people had reservations about Chen Shui-bian (3?糮?/CHINESE>), feeling that he had compromised too much. But the people of Taiwan could not let this chance for change by democratic means slip through their fingers, he said, adding that we must work for A-bian's success.

  One of those present urged Professor Liao to save his energy for his own recovery. No, he knew he would not recover, Professor Liao said firmly. For a moment he choked back tears. But he wished only to see a better future for Taiwan.

  Perhaps this would have been a sad note for a would-be wedding party. But I didn't think so. I felt honored that Professor Liao had come to give to us what was most meaningful to him, his last gift to us.

  I knew he could face his own death, and I am glad to have known him, not sad that he left at the age of 69.

  I am 50. I only hope that I can face the conclusion of my own role in Taiwan's history with such equanimity and selflessness.

  Linda Gail Arrigo is director of international affairs for Green Party Taiwan (台灣綠黨). Mainlanders Advocating Taiwan Independence will hold a memorial service for Professor Liao Chung-shan on Oct. 30.
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