Former KMT secretary-general John Chang (章孝嚴) -- who left Taiwan's political arena in disgrace after an extra-marital affair came to light in December -- departed yesterday for China's Zhejiang Province, where he will visit the Chiang family's hometown of Fenghua.
One day before his departure, Chang went to pay homage at the tombs of his "father" and "grandfather" in Taoyuan County and prayed for a smooth journey back to his ancestral home.
Chang and his late twin brother Chang Hsiao-tzu (
Everyone in Taiwan knows this story. But Chiang did not dare to make the story public during his lifetime, because of the opposition of his wife, Faina. Instead, Chiang met frequently with the two brothers in private and asked General Wang Sheng (
After Chiang's death in 1988, his second son Chiang Hsiao-wu (
Chang used to say, "When Hsiao-wu was still around, he used to tell me, `Our friendship is not just like brothers (
Chiang's words have turned all the more bitter since his death. Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have always attached great importance to their ancestry. Paying homage to one's ancestors has always been a virtue -- a sign that one has not forgotten one's roots.
The Chang brothers' ancestry problem surfaced only after Chiang Hsiao-wu's death. But no one can help them be recognized as members of the Chiang family as long as Faina Chiang does not relent. Society can only extend their sympathy.
Public sympathy and special care from superiors smoothly propelled the Chang brothers to prominence in political and academic spheres -- perhaps a compensation for the hardships they endured during the first part of their lives.
Despite his journey to his ancestral home, Chang has said he is not changing his surname due to opposition from some members of the Chiang family. But Chang perhaps still believes that the trip will allow him to inherit part of the political legacy of the two Chiangs, or least a symbolic "brand name" image.
Whether the political legacy of the two Chiangs will be positive or negative in a democratized Taiwan is, however, open to question.
The enthusiastic welcome that Beijing authorities have extended to Chang is obviously a political ploy. If Chang inadvertently falls into Beijing's trap, his trip may very well turn out to be a negative factor when he runs for a legislative seat in Taipei City next year.
To win support from the Taiwanese people, Chiang Ching-kuo once said, "I am a Taiwanese myself, too." This was an indication of Chiang's political wisdom. While on his trip to his ancestral home, Chang should not forget that his political life belongs to this land and her people, just like his father's life did.
Chang wants to make a fresh start in the political arena and wash away the dirt from last year's scandal. His hard work and determination are admirable. However, Chang's true test will be how to leave behind the public perception that he has risen to prominence on the back of public sympathy -- and the favor and protection of his father -- and create a political orbit he can truly call his own.
After nine days of holidays for the Lunar New Year, government agencies and companies are to reopen for operations today, including the Legislative Yuan. Many civic groups are expected to submit their recall petitions this week, aimed at removing many Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers from their seats. Since December last year, the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) passed three controversial bills to paralyze the Constitutional Court, alter budgetary allocations and make recalling elected officials more difficult by raising the threshold. The amendments aroused public concern and discontent, sparking calls to recall KMT legislators. After KMT and TPP legislators again
Taiwan faces complex challenges like other Asia-Pacific nations, including demographic decline, income inequality and climate change. In fact, its challenges might be even more pressing. The nation struggles with rising income inequality, declining birthrates and soaring housing costs while simultaneously navigating intensifying global competition among major powers. To remain competitive in the global talent market, Taiwan has been working to create a more welcoming environment and legal framework for foreign professionals. One of the most significant steps in this direction was the enactment of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) in 2018. Subsequent amendments in
US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed orders to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China effective from today. Trump decided to slap 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada as well as 10 percent on those coming from China, but would only impose a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy products, including oil and electricity. Canada and Mexico on Sunday quickly responded with retaliatory tariffs against the US, while countermeasures from China are expected soon. Nevertheless, Trump announced yesterday to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month and said he would hold further talks with
Taiwan’s undersea cables connecting it to the world were allegedly severed several times by a Chinese ship registered under a flag of convenience. As the vessel sailed, it used several different automatic identification systems (AIS) to create fake routes. That type of “shadow fleet” and “gray zone” tactics could create a security crisis in Taiwan and warrants response measures. The concept of a shadow fleet originates from the research of Elisabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. The phenomenon was initiated by authoritarian countries such as Iran, North Korea and Russia, which have been hit by international economic