On this memorial day, we look at one of the most overlooked and yet very interesting place of interest. 228 Peace Memorial Park has seen the island changed hands as it moves from one regime to another.
The February 28 incident (also called the February 28 massacre, the 228 incident, or the 228 massacre) was an anti-government uprising in Taiwan that was violently suppressed by the Kuomintang–led nationalist government of the Republic of China (ROC).
Taipei 228 Peace Park was called Taipei Park at first and then changed to New Park in the past. The park was established in the Qing Dynasty and is the oldest park in Taipei. It was the location the Japanese Governor’s residence (which was converted to become National Taiwan Museum) during Japanese colonial period (日治時期 1895-1945). After World War II, the KMT government (ROC) took over Taiwan, an event they called “retrocession” 台湾光复. However, economic monopoly and corruption of the government led to civil resistance which culminated to the 228 Incident.
臺北二二八紀念館 Taipei 228 Memorial Museum
Today’s 228 Memorial Museum in Taipei is housed in Taipei Radio Station (台北放送局) that played an important role in the incident. The fuse that led to the incident was over abuse of power by Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau (菸酒公賣局) agents. As a result a protestor was killed, and the angry mob took over this broadcast station to call for the people to pick up arms.
On February 27, 1947, people gathered in front of the police department but were shot by the soldiers. The next day, people gathered in the Taipei Park and broadcast the movement at the radio station. The KMT government used military force to restrain the protesters and arrested alleged participants afterward, using reinforcements from mainland in military crackdowns across the island from 7 Mar starting from Keelung.
二二八紀念碑 228 Memorial Monument
The 228 Memorial Monument was designed by Taiwanese architect Cheng Tzu-tsai, who was convicted of attempted murder in 1971 following a 1970 assassination attempt on Chiang Ching-kuo. After serving his sentence, he was imprisoned for illegal entry to Taiwan in 1991 and filed his design entry from prison.
Directed by provincial governor Chen Yi and president Chiang Kai-shek, thousands of civilians were killed beginning on February 28, 1947. The incident is considered to be one of the most important events in Taiwan’s modern history and was a critical impetus for the Taiwan independence movement.
By late March 1947, the central executive committee of the KMT had recommended that Chen Yi be dismissed as governor-general over the “merciless brutality” he had shown in suppressing the rebellion. Chen Yi was executed as war criminal for espionage on 18 Jun 1950.
By end of Mar, around 28,000 civilians were killed, many of whom did not participate in the protests, or they were simply political opponents of the KMT government. Most of those who died were local Taiwanese. This period of military curfew 戒严 was also referred to as White Terror 白色恐怖, which only officially ended on 15 Jul 1987.
The Monument is inscribed with an exhortation for peace and unity.
Mistrust between Taiwanese and Mainlanders, and the argument on whether Taiwan should declare independence or be united with China, have become hot issues with potentially worrisome implications. […] the task of healing a serious trauma in a society must depend on the whole-hearted collaborative effort by all its people. […] It is also hoped that these words will serve as a warning and a lesson to all Taiwanese compatriots. Henceforward, we must be one, no matter which communal group we belong; we must help each other with compassion and treat each other with sincerity; we must dissolve hatred and resentment, and bring about long lasting peace. May Heaven bless Taiwan and keep it evergreen.
Trustees of the 228 Memorial Foundation, Translation of the Inscription on the 228 Massacre Monument
和平雕塑 Peace Sculpture
4th President of ROC and KMT chairman Lee Teng-hui, who had participated in the incident and was arrested as an instigator and a Communist sympathiser, made a formal apology on behalf of the government in 1995 and declared February 28 a day to commemorate the victims.
This area is like Hyde Park of London, where anyone can come and deliver their spiel. Just a few ground rules so that the peace of the surroundings is not disturbed, and every park goers have the rights of enjoyment of the facilities.
和平鐘 Peace Bell
In order to relieve this historic pain, the park was renamed to 228 Peace Memorial Park in 1996. 28 February is now a national public holiday, called Peace Memorial Day. 和平鐘 Peace Bell is rung on the anniversary of the incident each year.
Many have drawn comparisons of the 228 Incidents to what is happening to Hong Kong. The freedom of speech and freedom of will are basic human rights that many fought and laid their lives for. This political struggle is real and exists in many forms, and very often becomes violent. I only pray that in our living years, we do not need to live through anymore of these wasteful loss of lives and shortened youths.
天佑寶島 萬年長青
Visited Sep 2023
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