Toppling of Idols
This last February 28th marked the 60th Memorial for the infamous “228 Incident” in Taiwan. More than 50,000 cream of the population were killed, systematiclly eliminated by the ruthless Chinese KMT Government which occupied Taiwan after the WWII under ther directive of General McArthur, the Supreme Commander in the Far-East. From the de-classified documents, it is clear that the massacre was instigated by Chiang Kai-sek, the leader of the KMT, then the President of China.
For more than 50 year until Year 2000, Taiwan was ruled by the KMT even after it lost their own vast continental country. Chiang was adored as “The Saviour and Hope of Chinese People”. His statures were erected every cosiderable spot on Taiwan where he fled to and wanted to use Taiwan as the base for counter attacking the Mainland and reclaim it.
But in 2000′s national election, a non-KMT Taiwanese, Chen Sui-Bien, was elected President. The DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) for the last 7 years struggle to promote a “Taiwan First” principle and opting for an Independent Taiwan. The saying is “Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China”, “Taiwan Yes! China No!”
With the revelation of the fact that Chiag Kai-Sek himself was responsible of the Massacre and the Terror for the 40some years that followed, it seems not right to continue adorating him, and the ubiquitous statues became eye-sores. The second largest which weighed over 12 tons located in Kaohsiung City wes taken down piece by piece yesterday. Many were removed to some secluded places. It is very like those of Hussein in Iraq, toppled by the people.
