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The truth behind Restoration Day |
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By Rev. WILLIAM J.K. Lo (羅榮光) Restoration Day was supposed to be a jubilant holiday for the people of Taiwan. Today however, Restoration Day is overshadowed by misery and bitterness. Restoration Day began October 25th, 1945. At that time, the people of Taiwan had a very limited understanding of the nature of the KMT. Subsequently, we joyfully celebrated Restoration Day, thinking that freedom and fortune were not far since we were home. What lied beneath superficial merriment was the 2-28 incident. Thousands of people were intentionally murdered government's villainous slaughtering. Hundreds of people were slain during the White Terror period. Taiwanese people finally came to understand that there was no restoration in Taiwan. What Taiwanese people experienced was political power handed over from Japanese authorities to mainland authorities. Taiwan once again fell victim to an outside political power; one which was not of indigenous origin. Twenty-six years later, as the Taiwanese were bring bombarded by the KMT and Chiang Kai-shek's propaganda, and immensely basking in the glow of another Restoration Day, a piece of shocking news devastated the hearts of Taiwanese people. The U.N. passed the proposal brought up by the Albanian delegate: "Resolution Adopted: 2758(XXVI)." Recalling the principle of the Charter of the United Nations: "Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential both the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter, and recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent Members of the Security Council, the United Nation decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representative of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it." The motion was approved by 76 member countries, opposed by 35, with 17 abstention. Taiwanese society was rocked by the news. The political upheaval prompted many citizens to apply to immigrate, and there was an outflow of capital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was ridiculed as a paralyzed ministry. China's tactful trickery finally pushed Taiwan into the quagmire of isolation. We became an international orphan. Today, the afflicted situation has not gotten any better. The two incidents (the central government retreating to Taiwan; Taiwan's expulsion from the U.N.) have left distinct impacts on the Taiwanese. We should wake up from the daydreaming. If we don't build our country with our own flesh and wisdom our fate will always be in others' hands. Today, the people of Taiwan have to walk out of the shadow of sorrow of Restoration Day. We have to rid ourselves of the appellation of the Republic of China and the myth it signifies. Moreover, we should push our way into the U.N. and other international organizations with the official title of Taiwan. Although the international community is overly lenient toward China's diplomatic oppression of Taiwan, we still have to muster our courage to wage a historical battle to allow truth, justice and peace to prevail. Each and every Taiwanese has to approve of our country. We should put our hands together to fight for the one and only motherland. According to the charter of the U.N., any member country is strictly forbidden to invade any other member country with military force. Under the circumstance of war, the Security Council is obligated to convene an emergency meeting in relation to measures to terminate the invasion. From here, we may learn that Taiwan, if to enter the U.N., will elevate its status. In addition, the security and freedom of the 23-million people of Taiwan and generations to come can thus be assured. Restoration Day is meaningless unless Taiwan can enter the U.N. Before we can participate in international organization as a sovereign country, we should not preoccupy ourselves with Restoration Day as if Taiwan has actually been restored. Taiwanese people, wake up! The writer is general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. |
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