Several hundred demonstrated today against the continued existence of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. In particular, demonstrators called for the dismantling of the memorial, with the view that Taiwan does not need a monument to an authoritarian dictator in the present day...
Some feverish media reporting in English, from pan-Blue-leaning media outlets or journalists, has honed in on the prospect of the 760 remaining statues of Chiang Kai-shek being removed from public spaces. This is claimed to be a move likely to provoke China, in that Chiang is seen as a figure associated with China–this despite, of course, that Chiang and the KMT came to Taiwan after their military defeat by the CCP in the Chinese Civil War...
Around 100 individuals demonstrated in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial on October 30th, calling for the demolition of the memorial as part of efforts to realize transitional justice in Taiwan...
Midterm elections are around the corner and there has been a plethora of ballot box issues to choose from that will prove decisive in key races: from Indigenous issues, incumbents’ COVID response, alleged corruption, and so on. But one issue that is not going to feature at all will be that of transformative justice and the unresolved issue of the biggest symbol of authoritarianism: the bronze statue of Chiang Kai-Shek at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial. Which begs the question of the purpose of political iconoclasm, or image breaking, as a form of performative democracy...
The Taiwan High Court ruled earlier this week that the diaries of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo from when they were president belong to the state, upholding a ruling by the Taipei District Court from June 2020. The decision from June 2020 also stated that the papers written by the Chiangs when they were not president belong to their heirs, and this was upheld in the most recent ruling. Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, of course, ruled over Taiwan during the authoritarian era, as father and son strongmen...
Legislative speaker You Si-kun recently visited an exhibition held at the National Taipei University of Technology featuring prospective designs for a future legislature. In comments made at the exhibition, You emphasized that a country’s legislature to reflect the values it holds, seeing as it is iconic of that country...
With the Transitional Justice Commission set to be dissolved in May, speculation has turned to whether the commission will be able to call for the removal of the 6.3-meter Chiang Kai-shek statue in the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial...
The Transitional Justice Commission announced aspects of its proposal for renovating the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial yesterday. This will include removing the 6.3-meter bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek at the center of the memorial, which is overseen by an honor guard...
