CONTEXTS
ACT TWO AND ENDING
SCENE EIGHT: 1945 - 1949
THE RISING AND FALLEN SUNS
I WITNESSED MY LAND SHIFTED FROM DEFEATED JAPAN TO DEFEATED CHINA
Following Japan's surrender in World War II, Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China (ROC), led by the Kuomintang (KMT) party under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The KMT, defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or (PRC) in the Chinese Civil War, retreated to Taiwan in 1949, establishing the ROC government there.
In 1947, widespread protests against economic hardship and KMT authoritarian rule erupted in Taiwan, known as the 228 Incident. The KMT responded with brutal force, suppressing the protests and killing tens of thousands of Taiwanese people. This event marked the beginning of an era of political repression and martial law that would last for almost four decades. The longest White Terror/martial law in the world to date.
The 228 Incident had a profound impact on Taiwan. It is estimated that between 28,000 and 30,000 Taiwanese people were killed in the aftermath of the protests. Following this incident, and the effort to 'de-Japanise' the Taiwanese people, the then KMT implemented a number of sinicization policies, including: Mandarin was mandated as the national language of Taiwan, replacing Japanese, Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka and aboriginal languages. Chinese history, literature, and art were heavily promoted in schools and the media. A lot of these were engineered Chinese histories and memories forged to create one singular Chinese identity and concept, suppressing differences between regions, ethnicity, histories and cultures. Taiwanese languages and cultural expressions were suppressed as the KMT sought to homogenise Taiwan's cultural landscape.
The students in schools were treated as military soldiers whose missions are now to ‘counter attack the mainland and defeat communist China who ‘stole their homeland’ - including those who never set foot onto China.
Anyone who spoke languages outside of Mandarin, or embodied, practice ethnic practices outside of Chinese Beijing official practices, or read books/listen to songs that were ‘not allowed’ would be fined, jailed, disappear or be executed.
In the 1970s and 1980s as Taiwan democratized and Taiwanese people began to assert their distinct identity. However with PRC (China)'s claim over Taiwan's sovereignty, labeling anyone who claims a distinct identity and history outside of 'Chinese lineage' and 'Chinese nationality' as separatists; resulting in the arrest and deportation of Taiwanese people (to China) (such as Ming-Zhe Lee, and Zi-Yuan Yang's cases). The course for identity discovery, trauma healing and self-determination remains to be a challenging yet-still-hopeful efforts of many Taiwanese people despite the threat of war, missiles tests from China and illegal arrests internationally.
The thought-crimes of Taiwanese identities are labeled as
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叛國罪 (Pànguó Zuì) - Treason
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顛覆罪 (Diānfù Zuì) - Subversion
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分裂國家罪 (Fēnliè Guójiā Zuì) - Crime of Splitting the Country or Secession
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煽動叛亂罪 (Shāndòng Pànluàn Zuì) - Incitement to Rebellion or Incitement to Insurrection
Despite People's Republic of China has never ruled over the people of Taiwan in history.
SCENE NINE: 1950's
TRAITORS OF ANOTHER MOTHERLAND
During the White Terror, the KMT persecuted perceived political dissidents, and the February 28 incident was considered too taboo to be discussed.
Students were again trained and educated as soldiers, unlike ‘Southward Expansion’ from Kōminka era, this time the students were to ‘counter attack the mainland’ and ‘liberate the mainland kins’ from China.
There were no difference in way two regimes used militarisation to assimilate, make students into docile bodies through physical education, punishment, ‘mother tongue’- national language, ‘military schooling system’ and the forever longing for a distant and distorted ‘motherland’. Last time Japan, this time China (all of these are referred to mainland, and the migrants from these regimes are called mainlanders).
SCENE TEN: 1950's
DOCILE BODIES
After the retreat of Republic of China and the party - KuoMinTang (KMT), Taiwan entered an authoritative "wartime regime” (again).
Physical education classes shifted their emphasis towards national defence and military training. One crucial aspect of this training was the practice of the "goushu (national form)," (Same lineage as People’s Republic of China - Communist China CCP’s reformed - Wushu today) which played a significant role in defensive training.
SCENE ELEVEN: 1950-1991
BIG WIND BLOWS
TRUST NO ONE UNDER THE WHITE SUN
Kuomintang (KMT), implemented a harsh and authoritarian rule. The government, under martial law, was particularly paranoid about perceived threats to its power, both from external forces and internal dissent.
Encouraging people to report or spy on suspicious activities or individuals was part of the government's strategy to maintain control and suppress any opposition. The KMT government sought to identify and eliminate perceived threats to its rule, and individuals deemed to be associated with communist sympathies, dissent, or opposition were targeted. This led to widespread surveillance, arrests, and persecution of individuals who were often falsely accused or targeted based on political affiliations.
The encouragement of spying and reporting had a chilling effect on Taiwanese society. People lived in fear of being reported by their neighbors, friends, or even family members for perceived dissent or disloyalty to the government. This atmosphere of fear and suspicion created a climate of self-censorship, as individuals were afraid to express political opinions or engage in activities that might be deemed subversive.
The impact on Taiwanese society during the White Terror was profound, with many individuals experiencing arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, torture, and even execution. Families were torn apart, and the trauma of this period persisted for decades. It wasn't until the lifting of martial law in 1987 that Taiwan began its transition to a more democratic and open society, and the final effect of White Terror eventually worn off in 1991.
Texts in photos: "forming communities or parties are forbidden" & "secrecy and report spies"
SCENE TWELVE: 1950 - PRESENT
NATIONAL HEALTH DANCE
National Health Exercises originating during the Japanese colonial period was again implemented by Republic of China. These exercises were to foster sense of unity, disciplined bodies and minds, and promoting physical capability in young children post-war (see ACT ONE CONTEXT for similar purpose of National Health Dance under Japanese colonial occupation).
SCENE THIRTEEN: 1950-1995
THE DREAM OF AN ISLAND
Transitioning of time with archival advertisement, music, radio, propaganda from 1950 - 1995. Projected materials showing actual photos taken from Taiwan, as a migrant re-membering myself from Oceans and Nations away, the memories decay and twist, forming an in-between and imaginative space that is rooted in realities belonging to the past, and the desire for a home in the present. In this dream, sections of a time and space reconfigure into a four cornered world of displaced nostalgia.
SCENE FOURTEEN: 1950-PRESENT
PROTESTS
I DREAMT OF THE WEIRD PARADES, AND I WOKE UP TO THE AIR-RAIDS SIREN
Taiwan's democratisation in the late 1980s and early 1990s marked a significant political transformation, transitioning from an authoritarian one-party state to a vibrant multiparty democracy. Economic growth and social change played crucial roles, but it was predominantly driven by widespread political activism.
The scenes of protest in This Room is an Island, featured banners with direct extracts from historically significant protest slogans, symbolize the hard-fought journey from Taiwan's authoritarian past to its current democratic vibrancy. These banners encapsulate the collective memories, social rights earned through struggle, expanded spaces for freedom of thought, acknowledgment of mistakes, and ongoing collective discussions shaping Taiwan's democratic future.
Born into the freedom of democracy as a second generation, I navigate the privileges granted by those who came before me. "This Room is an Island" becomes a celebration, a lamentation, and a remembrance of the privilege to think, create art, speak, contest, and resist. Amidst the peculiar parades that seemingly lead nowhere within the confines of the room, I remember, the freedom, the history, the prices and the hopes for the future imbued within the figures of words projected in this four-cornered-world of theatre.
Images and extracts of words taken from notable events (available for reading only for computer screens not available on phone):
Zongli Incident (1977)
Background: The Zhongli Incident was a democracy movement in the Taiwanese town of Zhongli in 1977, after a voter reported witnessing the Kuomintang rigging the election.
Protesters stormed the local police station, which was subsequently burned down.
Two years later (in December 1979) the KMT arrested all of the leaders of the anti-Kuomintang movement who had organised a gathering in Kaohsiung on International Human Rights Day. The purge is known as the Kaohsiung Incident.The entire leadership was sentenced to long prison terms, including DPP politician Chen Chu, and Shih Ming-teh, labelled as Taiwan's Nelson Mandela, who was handed a life sentence. Shih was later released with the arrival of democracy.
Significance: The Zhongli Incident was a significant turning point in Taiwan's democracy movement, and it helped to pave the way for the eventual democratisation of the country in the 1980s.
Bridgehead Incident (1979)
The Bridgehead Incident was a political demonstration that took place on January 22, 1979, in Bridgehead Township Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. It was the first major political demonstration in Taiwan since the imposition of martial law in 1949.
The incident was sparked by the arrest of former Kaohsiung County Magistrate 余登发 (Yu Denfa) and his son, 余瑞言 (Yu Juian), in August 1978. The two were accused of involvement in a communist insurgency led by 吴泰安 (Wu Tai'an). The charges were widely seen as politically motivated, and they sparked widespread outrage among the Taiwanese people.
On January 22, 1979, a group of opposition activists, led by 施明德 (Shih Mingteh), organized a demonstration in Bridgehead Township to demand the release of Yu Denfa and his son. The demonstration was peaceful, but it was met with a harsh crackdown by the government. Police fired on the demonstrators, injuring and arresting many of them.
The Bridgehead Incident was a watershed moment in Taiwan's history. It marked the end of the KMT's ironclad grip on power and the beginning of Taiwan's transition to democracy.
Video
Kaohsiung Incident (1979)
Background: The Kaohsiung Incident, also known as the Meilidao Incident, was a major turning point in Taiwan's democratic movement. It began when human rights activist Chen Chu-cheng was arrested for organizing a demonstration against the KMT government. The arrest sparked widespread protests and riots, which lasted for several days. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people and the injury of hundreds more.
Events: On December 10, 1979,
Significance: The Kaohsiung Incident was a watershed moment in Taiwan's democratic movement. It forced the KMT to make some concessions, including the release of political prisoners. The incident also raised awareness of the issue of human rights in Taiwan and helped to mobilise public support for democratic reforms.
Wild Lily student movement (1990)
The Wild Lily student movement, also known as the March Student Movement, was a student-led pro-democracy movement in Taiwan that took place from March to May 1990. The movement was sparked by the government's decision to convene the National Assembly, which was made up of members who had been elected in 1947, long before Taiwan had become a democracy. Students occupied Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei and demanded direct presidential elections and an end to martial law. The movement eventually led to the government making significant concessions, and it is considered to be a major turning point in Taiwan's democratisation process.
Participation grew to over 20,000 protestors. This day marked the end of the six-day student movement known as the Wild Lily Student Movement, Taiwan’s first large-scale student movement. Newly selected President Lee Teng-Hui invited 53 students to the Presidential Office. President Lee agreed to accomplish the protestors’ four demands before his inauguration.
Upon reviewing the footage of President Lee‘s meeting with the students, the organizing committee agreed to end the student movement on March 22.
Video
Anti-Black Box Curriculum Movement (2015)
On May 24, 2015, the Anti-Black Box Curriculum Movement, launched by Taiwanese high school students, protested against the adjustments to the high school history curriculum by the then Kuomintang government. Students believed that the revisions had a tendency to Sinicise, de-Taiwanize, and oppose democratic and liberal ideas. Therefore, they launched a series of protests, including occupying the Ministry of Education and raiding the office of the Minister of Education at night.
The movement sparked a wide response in society and eventually forced the government to abolish the controversial curriculum. This incident is considered an important milestone in Taiwan's democratic development.
The Curriculum which Ministry of Education tried to enforce under Ma presidency (Republic of China -Kou Min Tang)
The movement successfully forced the government to abolish the controversial curriculum
It prompted the government to reform the curriculum review mechanism and give students, teachers, and the general public more participation.
Raised public awareness of education issues in Taiwan.
Sino vs multicultural
Sunflower Movement (2014)
Background: The Sunflower Movement was a student-led protest movement that took place in Taiwan in 2014. The movement was sparked by the government's decision to push through a controversial trade agreement with China without sufficient public scrutiny.
Events: On March 18, 2014
This involved the occupation of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. The movement was sparked by opposition to the proposed Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement (CSSTA) between Taiwan and mainland China. The protesters argued that the CSSTA would harm Taiwan's economy and democracy by increasing Chinese influence over the country.
The movement helped to focus public attention on the potential dangers of closer economic ties with mainland China.
It inspired similar movements in other countries. The Sunflower Movement was a source of inspiration for other student-led protests in Asia, such as the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong.
In addition to these specific outcomes, the Sunflower Movement also had a broader impact on Taiwanese society. It helped to revitalise democracy and civic engagement in Taiwan. It also showed that the Taiwanese people were willing to stand up for their rights and values.
The Sunflower Movement was a watershed moment in Taiwan's history. It demonstrated the power of student activism and the importance of democratic values. The movement's legacy continues to inspire people in Taiwan and around the world.
Other briefly incorporated words/texts extracts from Indigenous Taiwanese land rights protests, Hakka language movement - give back my language, new immigrants rights [protest.
SCENE FIFTEEN: 1996
BRACE BRACE
The sound of siren blare the third time, seemingly marking the looping of memories repeated throughout three generations.
The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995-1996) sealed my fate for eventually being flung like an arrow across the Pacific Oceans, carrying my elders' dreams for a better life. Being separated from families for almost two decades I am reminded the weight of the bow that stayed behind. Aotearoa was an ideological concept for my parents, a wetland for the lost birds seemingly too abstract to step one's feet onto.
To live up to the dream of freedom as a grateful guest on another home, my memories of home fractured, forever plural and hyphenated. Under the ongoing geopolitical threats and fear, I remember whose freedom I am living, whilst cannot help but long for a home which maybe never was.
Drills in preparation for air-raid invasions 1990's - 2023
END
WHAT VALUES DO YOU BRING TO THIS COUNTRY
"What is your full name?" "Why are you here?" and the fundamental question of "what values do I bring to my host-country as a migrant?" the audience will arrive 'back' in Aotearoa, the 'otherside' of the Pacific Ocean.
This Room is an Island, made during the never ending fear of war, the ceaseless search for a better life, an island is a place, a singular term that invites for departure.
