Plowing through the wind in three boats off the shores of Tamshui, a pro-independence group yesterday afternoon re-enacted a scene from 460 years ago, when Portuguese explorers first sighted Taiwan, as part of their campaign for an official name for the country.
The event, organized by the Alliance to Campaign for Rectifying the Name of Taiwan, brought together about 80 people, including national policy advisors Huang Tien-lin (黃天麟) and Chang Kuei-mu (張貴木), former Miss Taiwan Beverly Chen (陳思羽) and the general public, to participate in the "Voyage of Discovering Formosa."
Historical records say that in 1554, Portuguese explorers sailing by Taiwan -- astonished by the beautiful scenery -- were moved to exclaim "Ilha Formosa!" (beautiful island).
Yesterday's event was intended to recollect the pleasant amazement of the sailors.
"I think this voyage provides a good opportunity for the people of Taiwan to look at the island where they live from a different angle," said alliance executive director Peter Wang (
Wang said many people from Taiwan had traveled around the world and seen magnificent sights, but that few took the opportunity to rediscover their homeland.
"It is meaningful to re-enact this historical scene from the perspectives of the real masters of Taiwan," said Lin Chih-lung (
As the three yachts reached the waters around Sanchih in Taipei County, Wang led the group in yelling out, "Ilha Formosa!" "Correcting the country's name" and "Taking off the name Republic of China (ROC)!"
The voyage ended with several traditional heavenly lanterns (
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