Walking in Taiwan
(<- Previous Report) February 28, 1998 (Next Report ->)Back to Start
228 Commemoration
This morning the delegation arrived in Tainan to participate in the city's 228 memorial celebration. 228 marks the date, February 28, of the 1947 Taiwanese people's uprising against the Chiang Kaishek's Kuomintang government which after fleeing mainland China took control of Taiwan during the mid-1940's.
The riots, which broke out in many different parts of Taiwan, were brutally repressed and estimates guess anywhere between 15,000 and 60,000 Taiwanese were killed by the Kuomintang.
For the 38 years Taiwan remained under martial law and talk of the 228 incident was forbidden until martial law ended in 1987.
The march through Tainan ended in a city park where a statue honoring Teng Der-Chang was unveiled. Chang, a prominent Taiwanese lawyer and freedom fighter, was killed in the 228 massacre. Many of those murdered at this time were of the elite class; a tactic used to break up any organization the Taiwanese might have.
"I see this statue," says Norbu at its unveiling, "and I can understand all of your feelings. I have experienced the same thing in Tibet. We must tell the world people, the world leaders, the world community, please listen to us! We must stop the violence."
In an afternoon press conference the following joint declaration was read and signed: We, the following signatories of free and independent nations of Taiwan, Tibet, Eastern Turkistan, and Inner Mongolia, on the occasion of the commemoration of Taiwan's 228 Incident, unanimously make the following statement:
1. We unitedly and resolutly support the freedom of Taiwan, Tibet, Eastern Turkistan and Inner Mongolia. In doing so, we are convinced that total freedom from oppression, threat of war, and occupation calls for the independence of our nations from the People's Republic of China.
2. We endorse and support the efforts of our Taiwanese people who strive to achieve independence of Taiwan from the People's Republic of China.
3. Therefore, we the following signatories hereby resolve to work unitedly for the realization of our common goal.
Prof. Thubten Jigme Norbu
Dr. James Lee, President of World Federation of Taiwanese Associations
Tashi Jamyangling, Former Home Secretary of Tibetan Government in Exile
Erkin Alptekin, Eastern Turkistan Independence fighter
Anwar Yusuf, Eastern Turkistan Independence fighter
Johngar Bache, Vice Chairman, Inner Mongolian People's Party.
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