Taiwan Presentation March 7th

Walpole Peace and Justice Group Hosts a Panel Discussion and Conversation on Taiwan: “The Politics of a Democratic Island Nation”

The Walpole Peace and Justice Group will host a panel discussion and general conversation about Taiwan. Mr. Tom Tsai will lead a panel that will include Mr. William Wang, Dr. Tun-hou Li, and Ms. Mei Tsai. The talk and slide presentation will be given at the Walpole Public Library on Tuesday, March 7, 2006, at 7:30 PM. The event is open to the public.

Last March 3, 2005, marked the 50th anniversary of the enforcement of the Mutual Defense Agreement (MDA) between the Republic of China (ROC) and the United States. This Agreement has been the principle instrument in the maintenance of a political and military standoff, essentially between the US and China, over the nation of Taiwan. Since the UN withdrew recognition of the ROC in 1971, Taiwan has existed without official status. In 1979, following President Nixon’s trips to Beijing in the early 70’s, the US officially recognized the People’s Republic of China, and the MDA was allowed expired and replaced by the “weaker” Taiwan Relations Act.

Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang (KMT) Party maintained martial law on Taiwan until 1987, and was the only functional political party. Despite its unusual lack of diplomatic representation and difficult political history, Taiwan has prospered in these past fifty years, boasting a high-tech economy and the world’s third largest foreign reserves. In 2000, in the face of heavy pressure from China and in opposition to the KMT, the people of Taiwan elected a leader dedicated to democracy and progressive politics, President Chen Shui-bian; thus marking perhaps the first peaceful, democratic transition of power in Taiwan’s, or for that matter China’s, history.

The history and cause of Taiwan is less known in the US. For example, February 28th is a key date in Taiwan’s history, and marks another generational anniversary – the 228 Incident of 1947. It has been almost fifty years since the KMT brutally repressed a series of protests on the island, killing perhaps as many as 30,000. Many in the US would be familiar with Tiananmen Square or the Invasion of Tibet, yet few in the US know of the 228 Incident because Chiang was considered an ally.

Mr. Tsai will lead the panel. Mr. Wang will give a presentation on the history of the island, its people and its unique culture. Dr. Li will talk about the current political situation. Ms. Tsai will speak about the women’s movement in Taiwan. The public is invited to come learn about Taiwan, ask questions, and share their own experiences.

The next program in the series will take place on April 4, 2006, and will feature a presentation by Paul Peckham on his recent trip to Venezuela.