Chiang Kai-shek statues (Chinese: 蔣公銅像; pinyin: Jiǎng Gōng Tóngxiàng; lit. 'bronze statues of President Chiang' or Chinese: 蔣介石雕像; pinyin: Jiǎng Jièshí diāoxiàng) are statues of the late Republic of China (ROC) President Chiang Kai-shek. They are found almost everywhere in Taiwan, from parks to schools to military bases, and are usually made of a bronze alloy, although it varies from location to location.[1][2]
Some statues have been removed starting in 1999,[3] with greater publicity surrounding removals starting in 2007 under pro-Taiwan independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government initiatives, which in turn led to protests and opposition on the grounds of culture and history. Many Chiang statues have since been relocated to a central location and placed in a memorial garden.[4] Since the movement to remove Chiang statues began, individual vigilantes have begun to vandalize the statues, typically coincident with the anniversary of the 228 Incident.[5]
- ^ Taylor, Jeremy E. (2006). "The Production of the Chiang Kai-shek Personality Cult, 1929–1975". The China Quarterly. 185: 96–110. doi:10.1017/S0305741006000063. S2CID 153691475. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Taylor, Jeremy E. (March 2009). "Discovering a Nationalist heritage in present-day Taiwan". China Heritage Quarterly (17). ISSN 1833-8461. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
It displays a large range of disused bronze and stone statues of Chiang (and other Nationalist leaders) that have been donated by institutions throughout the island, and re-arranged with the help of local artists.
- ^ Taylor, Chris (March 26, 2000). "General retreat". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Taipeiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Hsu, Stacy; Chang, Ching-ya; Tsai, Shu-yuan (March 2, 2015). "Rash of 'defacements' hits Chiang Kai-shek statues". Taipei Times. Retrieved February 20, 2018.