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Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
What's in a name? Proposal to rename Taiwan's Zhongzheng Roads reignites transitional justice debate
The controversy stems from the complicated legacy of Taiwan's longest-serving head of state, Chiang Kai-shek, who had used Zhongzheng as his adopted name. ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE – With more than 300 roads across the island carrying this name, Zhongzheng Road is Taiwan's most common – and most contentious – street name. And they may all disappear, if the government's proposal to rename every Zhongzheng Road goes to plan. When Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior resurfaced the initiative on June 2, it sparked immediate backlash from local officials who condemned it as a waste of money. In New Taipei city alone, officials estimate that it could cost upwards of NT$60 million (S$2.57 million) to rename all 22 Zhongzheng Roads across the city's 18 administrative districts to replace not just the major street signs but also individual home address plaques. The ministry, however, has defended the move as a human rights issue and must be taken seriously. 'The government cannot pretend to look at transitional justice only when there is money to do so, as that attitude does not reflect Taiwan's democracy and rule of law,' Minister of the Interior Ms Liu Shyh-fang told reporters. The controversy stems from the complicated legacy of Taiwan's longest-serving head of state, Chiang Kai-shek, who had used Zhongzheng as his adopted name. As the leader of the then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) on mainland China, Chiang fought a civil war with the Communist Party of China after World War II and lost, fleeing with his government to Taiwan in 1949 where he ruled as President until his death in 1975. His authoritarian rule under martial law was controversial and while democratic reforms were undertaken by his son Chiang Ching-kuo, the current ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under its transitional justice policy has been taking measures to right historical injustices of the authoritarian era. Changing the name of the Zhongzheng Roads is one of these moves. The hundreds of Zhongzheng Roads across the island had been named after Chiang following a postwar push by the KMT government to replace any old symbols of Japanese colonialism. Until 1945, Taiwan had been under Japanese rule for 50 years. One of the busiest Zhongzheng Roads in the southern city of Tainan, for example, formerly bore the Japanese name Suehirocho. The name has a Singapore connection. When Chinese philanthropists founded Chung Cheng High School - Zhongzheng Zhongxue in Mandarin - on Kim Yan Road in 1939, they had named it after Chiang, which was an 'indication that the Chinese community in Singapore was actively engaged with affairs in China then', according to the National Heritage Board . China at the time was fighting a war with Japan that began in 1937 and ended in 1945. But while some in Taiwan today see Chiang as a strong leader who fought against the communists and oversaw the island's path to economic prosperity, he is equally despised as a dictator who ruled with an iron fist. 'For some Taiwanese, anything related to Chiang is a reminder of a painful authoritarian past,' said Assistant Professor Ma Chun-wei, a political science analyst from New Taipei's Tamkang University. While some in Taiwan today see Chiang as a strong leader who fought against the communists and oversaw the island's path to economic prosperity, he is equally despised as a dictator who ruled with an iron fist. ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE Complicated legacy Taiwan transitioned to a democracy from the late 1980s and ranks among Asia's freest societies today, but it continues to wrestle with its authoritarian past. For its part, the modern KMT has taken steps to atone for its history. While serving as justice minister, former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou helped establish a foundation in 1995 to raise awareness of the White Terror years – a period of martial law covering almost four decades of brutal political purges from 1949 to 1987. But it was only after President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP took office in 2016 that transitional justice work was made a top priority. In 2018, her administration set up an commission to review and redress injustices committed during the territory's authoritarian rule. Part of that involved exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals and going after assets illegally obtained by the KMT during its authoritarian rule. Among the commission's top recommendations was also the physical removal of all 'authoritarian symbols', including any road signs named after Chiang. In 2022, for instance, a section of Zhongzheng Road in Tainan city's West Central District was renamed Thng Tik-Tsiong Boulevard, in honour of the human rights lawyer who was executed by KMT troops in 1947. Other symbols include the many busts and statues of Chiang scattered across the island – the most prominent of which is the towering statue inside Taipei's National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where millions of tourists flock every year to take selfies and watch the changing of the guard. Over the years, the government has made sporadic attempts to remove these symbols, albeit with limited success. Taiwan's main airport Taoyuan International Airport, for instance, was formerly known as the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, or Zhongzheng International Airport in Chinese. It was given its current name in 2006. And while hundreds of Chiang's statues have since been removed from Taiwan's schools, parks and other public spaces, there are still some 760 statues dotted around the island as of April 2024. Efforts to dismantle all of the symbols have consistently faced roadblocks, including protests from those who say that the move amounts to erasing history. 'Even among KMT supporters today, Chiang is no longer revered, but they cannot deny his contributions to Taiwan's development,' said Prof Ma. For now, the Ministry of the Interior said that it would engage officials from local governments – which would be in charge of executing the road sign changes – before proceeding further. But it would continue to promote its plan in line with transitional justice efforts, said Minister Liu. 'I understand many people are still sorting through their feelings about the past – and historical representations of it – which is why we will keep our communication on the issue open and clear,' she said on June 4. 'However, our position on the issue has not changed, and we will continue to promote the removal of the vestiges of authoritarianism,' she said, adding that the ministry provides subsidies for the renaming of street names. Several municipal government officials, many of them from the opposition KMT, have voiced objections to the ministry's proposal. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who is Chiang Kai-shek's great-grandson, accused the ruling party of politicising issues and not doing actual work. Meanwhile, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih, also from the KMT, condemned the ministry's proposal as 'meaningless'. 'What people need is help to solve their problems. Does it make sense for the government to spend money on things like this?' he said. Ms Victoria Lin, a resident living on Zhongzheng Road in New Taipei's Zhonghe District, opposes the renaming of her road for a more pragmatic reason. 'Do you know how much trouble it will be to have to change my home address with the banks and all that?' said the 39-year-old, who works in real estate. Yip Wai Yee is The Straits Times' Taiwan correspondent covering political, socio-cultural and economic issues from Taipei. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Economist
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Economist
What does it mean to be Taiwanese?
At the heart of Chiang Kai-shek's vast memorial in Taipei, a giant bronze statue of the leader sits facing China. For the exiled Chinese Nationalist Party and its faithful who fled China's civil war, Taiwan was a temporary home and China was the motherland. Decades later, only 3% of people in Taiwan consider themselves primarily Chinese. But plenty of people don't think of themselves as being fully Taiwanese, either. That ambiguity is being exploited by China's Communist Party, which insists the island is part of China, and has threatened to take it by force. Without a concrete sense of what it means to be Taiwanese, how will people resist?
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Taiwan downgrades Chiang Kai-shek's mausoleum to ‘camp area' as it grapples with legacy
Chiang Kai-shek's mausoleum has officially been consigned to history, as Taiwan's military reclassified the site in the city of Taoyuan as a 'camp area' – the latest move by the island's independence-leaning authorities to erase the legacy of the former Kuomintang (KMT) leader. The mausoleum of Chiang's son and successor, Chiang Ching-kuo, located just 2.2km (1.4 miles) from his father's tomb, was also reclassified, according to a notice issued by the island's defence ministry on April 22. The two sites, which house the preserved remains of the two former leaders, will no longer be referred to as 'mausoleums' or 'spirit-worship facilities', according to the announcement. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. It said the elder Chiang's resting place, previously known as the Cihu Mausoleum, would be renamed the 'Cihu Camp Area', while his son's Daxi Mausoleum would be designated as the 'Daxi Camp Area'. In the announcement, the military said the revised guidelines reflected updated administrative needs and the 2014 reclassification of Taoyuan as a metropolitan area. But Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers argued that the move signalled a deeper shift in the island's memory – part of transitional justice reforms aimed at removing what they saw as symbols of dictatorship and authoritarian rule. For decades, the military had referred to the sites using terms traditionally reserved for royalty, such as 'mausoleum' and 'paying respects to the exalted spirit'. Pro-independence voices have long criticised this reverence towards the Chiangs, arguing it glorified a legacy of political repression and martial law. These criticisms intensified in 2000 when the DPP first gained power and have grown louder since 2016. The move is likely to reinforce Beijing's perception that Taipei is trying to erase its common history with the mainland. Chiang, despite fighting the Communists in China's civil war and being seen as an enemy by Beijing his entire life, had sought to bring the mainland and Taiwan under the same rule – that of the Republic of China. In recent years, the Chiang family has been viewed more favourably on the mainland as a historical link between Taiwan and mainland China. Under the revised guidelines, the phrase 'coffin viewing area' is retained only for the specific rooms housing the Chiangs' remains, while the broader sites are classified simply as military camp areas. 'The term 'mausoleum' typically refers to imperial tombs,' said DPP lawmaker Chiu Chih-wei during an April 16 legislative session. 'The military's duty is to defend the country, not to guard the graves of dictators.' Chiu has also demanded the military withdraw its ceremonial honour guards from the sites, arguing they were a misuse of public resources. He noted the current deployment had been based on a 2007 directive issued by then Taoyuan county chief Eric Chu Li-luan – now KMT chairman – as a tourism initiative. 'But how many tourists still go there today?' Chiu said. 'If we continue this, does it mean any local shrine or memorial can request military guards, too?' In response, the defence ministry said it would convene a meeting later this month with the Presidential Office, cabinet, and Taoyuan city officials to evaluate whether continued military presence was warranted. Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung added that relocating the Chiangs' remains to the Wuzhishan Military Cemetery for permanent burial might offer a solution. He noted that Chiang Fang-liang, widow of Chiang Ching-kuo, had written to the ministry in 2004 requesting such a move, and Chen Shui-bian – Taiwan's leader at the time – had endorsed the plan. However, the relocation has yet to take place. Chiang Kai-shek died in 1975 and was placed at the Cihu site in Taoyuan, pending eventual burial in mainland China, from which he fled after losing the Chinese civil war in 1949. His son, Chiang Ching-kuo, died in 1988 and was laid to rest in nearby Daxi. Their plan was to be buried in their ancestral hometown once reunification was achieved through the KMT's recapture of the mainland – a goal now seen as impossible. Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was elected the island's leader in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to arming Taiwan. Since passing a transitional justice law in 2017, the DPP government has accelerated efforts to remove symbols of Chiang Kai-shek's rule, revise historical narratives, and blame the late Chiang for past abuses. Thousands of statues of the elder Chiang have been removed from parks, schools, and military facilities. The campaign aims to break the legacy of martial law and authoritarian rule led by Chiang, which defined much of the history of Taiwan in the 20th century. One major milestone came in July 2024, when ceremonial honour guards inside the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei ended their 44-year vigil. The military's rifle-twirling ritual, long a popular tourist attraction, was moved outside to the public plaza in front of the hall after public consultation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chiang Kai-shek's death. In April, civil society groups launched a campaign urging the government to close the main hall in Taipei and get rid of authoritarian symbols – including place names, statues, and currency bearing Chiang's image. 'Taiwan truly doesn't need a dictator's memorial hall,' said Michelle Wang, chairwoman of the Koo Kwang-ming Foundation. 'We must face our history honestly and move forward.' Not everyone agrees. Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou has defended Chiang's legacy, saying it was 'a bit excessive' to label him a dictator. 'As a political leader, Chiang bore responsibility for certain wrongdoings,' Ma said. 'But his contributions to Taiwan outweigh his mistakes. Having a memorial hall for him is not unreasonable.' Taipei Mayor Wayne Chiang Wan-an, a great-grandson of Chiang Kai-shek, pushed back on recent remarks by the island's current leader, William Lai Ching-te, who in February described Chiang as 'a dictator who committed heinous crimes to maintain his rule over Taiwan'. The Taipei mayor urged leaders to 'face history with caution and humility' and to 'adopt a broader, more inclusive vision'. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Port guide: Keelung, Taiwan
Artwork-adorned Maritime Plaza near the cruise terminals is a favourite with strolling local families. From there Keelung dissolves into raucous streets lined by eclectic shops and rough-edged eateries. Stop by Dianji Temple for a goggle at its ornate statues and carvings representing mythical sea creatures. The town's famous Miaokou street market is a magnet for foodies. Stalls have English signs announcing specialities such as oyster omelettes, beef noodles, braised pork, or soup dumplings. Don't miss If you haven't been to Taiwan before, you ought to head 30 kilometres inland to Taipei, the focus of most shore excursions, but easily navigated independently. It combines the ultra-contemporary with living Chinese traditions often absent on the mainland. Top sights include Taipei 101 skyscraper and its observation platform, memorial halls to Chiang Kai-shek and revolutionary leader Sun Yat-Sen, and temples that combine Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian elements. The best are Longshan Temple and Qingshan Temple. The National Palace Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Chinese art. Get active Keelung is humid and often rainy, and its crowded concrete is hardly conducive to exercise. Get some early-morning treadmill work done in the ship's gym before you disembark. One good walk, however, takes you from the port uphill to Zhongzheng Park, crowned by a Buddhist temple and enormous statue of goddess Guan Yin. The complex is kitsch and colourful, and you get good harbour views. Loading Retail therapy Shoppers should get themselves into Taipei, one of the world's best cities for street markets such as Jianguo Jade Market, Guanghua Computer Market for all things electronic, and Chinese Handicraft Mart for porcelain, scroll paintings, lacquer boxes, silk clothes and modern Chinese kitsch. Shilin Street market is famous for its evening food but in the daytime sells shows, clothes, jewellery and (increasingly) souvenirs. Themed shopping streets also provide great plunder, among them Yuanling Street for shoes, Xinyi Road for sports gear, Dihua Street and Huashi Street for Chinese handicrafts and Buddha statues, and American Street for hip-hop clothes and bling. Further afield While most shore excursions head into Taipei, some do take you to attractions on Taiwan's north coast such as Buddhist monasteries, Shifen Waterfall and the hot springs of Yangmingshan National Park, where you can wallow in milk-coloured, mildly sulphuric waters. Yehliu Geopark has an array of odd coastal rock formations that look like giant mushrooms, and one supposedly like the head of an Egyptian queen. None of these sights are extraordinary, so stick to Taipei or explore Keelung on your own.
The Age
29-04-2025
- The Age
Port guide: Keelung, Taiwan
Artwork-adorned Maritime Plaza near the cruise terminals is a favourite with strolling local families. From there Keelung dissolves into raucous streets lined by eclectic shops and rough-edged eateries. Stop by Dianji Temple for a goggle at its ornate statues and carvings representing mythical sea creatures. The town's famous Miaokou street market is a magnet for foodies. Stalls have English signs announcing specialities such as oyster omelettes, beef noodles, braised pork, or soup dumplings. Don't miss If you haven't been to Taiwan before, you ought to head 30 kilometres inland to Taipei, the focus of most shore excursions, but easily navigated independently. It combines the ultra-contemporary with living Chinese traditions often absent on the mainland. Top sights include Taipei 101 skyscraper and its observation platform, memorial halls to Chiang Kai-shek and revolutionary leader Sun Yat-Sen, and temples that combine Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian elements. The best are Longshan Temple and Qingshan Temple. The National Palace Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Chinese art. Get active Keelung is humid and often rainy, and its crowded concrete is hardly conducive to exercise. Get some early-morning treadmill work done in the ship's gym before you disembark. One good walk, however, takes you from the port uphill to Zhongzheng Park, crowned by a Buddhist temple and enormous statue of goddess Guan Yin. The complex is kitsch and colourful, and you get good harbour views. Loading Retail therapy Shoppers should get themselves into Taipei, one of the world's best cities for street markets such as Jianguo Jade Market, Guanghua Computer Market for all things electronic, and Chinese Handicraft Mart for porcelain, scroll paintings, lacquer boxes, silk clothes and modern Chinese kitsch. Shilin Street market is famous for its evening food but in the daytime sells shows, clothes, jewellery and (increasingly) souvenirs. Themed shopping streets also provide great plunder, among them Yuanling Street for shoes, Xinyi Road for sports gear, Dihua Street and Huashi Street for Chinese handicrafts and Buddha statues, and American Street for hip-hop clothes and bling. Further afield While most shore excursions head into Taipei, some do take you to attractions on Taiwan's north coast such as Buddhist monasteries, Shifen Waterfall and the hot springs of Yangmingshan National Park, where you can wallow in milk-coloured, mildly sulphuric waters. Yehliu Geopark has an array of odd coastal rock formations that look like giant mushrooms, and one supposedly like the head of an Egyptian queen. None of these sights are extraordinary, so stick to Taipei or explore Keelung on your own.
