All About Su Beng

The TIAM will be out on the campaign trail

2011-12-06T00:28:00.005-05:00

When I last spoke to Su Beng he said that he'd be taking the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade to Tai Dong in December in a show of support of Tsai Ing-Wen, the Democratic Progressive Party Presidential candidate who will be campaigning there.

Here's the travel schedule of the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade (TIAM) for the next few weeks:

12/07 9:00AM 台北出發→桃園→新竹→苗栗→台中 (住台中)
Start at 9:00 AM from Taipei→Taoyuan→ Hsinchu→Miaoli→Taichung

12/08 9:00AM 台中出發台中宣傳 (住台中)
Start at 9:00 AM from Taichung. The TIAM will make its rounds in Taichung

12/09 9:00AM 台中出發→彰化→雲林→嘉義 (住嘉義)
Start at 9:00 AM from Taichung→Changhwa →Yulin→Chiayi

12/10 9:00AM 嘉義出發嘉義宣傳 (住嘉義)
Start at 9:00 AM. The TIAM will make its rounds in Chiayi

12/11 AM9:00嘉義出發→台南→高雄 (住高雄)
Start at 9:00 AM from Chiayi→Tainan→Kaohsiung

12/12 9:00AM 高雄出發高雄宣傳 (住高雄)
Start at 9:00 AM. The TIAM will make its rounds in Kaohsiung

12/13 9:00AM 高雄出發高雄宣傳 (住高雄)
Start at 9:00 AM. The TIAM will make its rounds in Kaohsiung

12/14 台南成功大學(下午2點) (住高雄)
National Cheng Kung University in Tainan @ 2pm

12/15 9:00AM 高雄出發→台東 (住台東)
Start at 9:00 AM from Kaohsiung→Tai Dong

12/16 9:00AM 台東出發→玉里 (住玉里)
Start at 9:00 AM from Tai Dong→Yuli

12/17 9:00AM 玉里出發→花蓮 (住花蓮)
Start at 9:00 AM from Yuli→Hualien

12/18 9:00AM 花蓮出發花蓮宣傳 (住花蓮)
Start at 9:00 AM from Hualien, The TIAM will make its rounds in Hualien

12/19 9:00AM 花蓮出發→高雄 (住高雄)
Start at 9:00 AM from Hualien→Kaohsiung

12/20 9:00AM 高雄出發→台中 (住台中)
Start at 9:00 AM from Kaohsiung→Taichung

12/21 9:00AM 台中出發→苗栗→新竹→桃園→台北
Start at 9:00 AM from Taichung→Miaoli→Hsinchu→Taoyuan→Taipei

Here are some photos from November 24th of Su Beng campaigning for Tsai Ing-Wen around Taipei:

November 24, 2011

2011-12-04T18:35:00.002-05:00

On November 24th Su Beng went to pay his respects to Ong Jiao-Dong, the President of the United Formosans for Independence. Mr. Ong was also the founder of the Taiwan Youth Association in Japan which published the Taiwan Youth magazine.

An article written (in Chinese）about his visit recently appeared on MSN here.

In this article Su Beng is quoted saying that Mr. Ong dedicated about 50-60 years of his life to the Taiwan independence movement and that there are probably about only about 5 others like him, still alive, who have dedicated their lives to the cause.

He also said that the overseas Taiwan independence movement first started in Japan in the 1950s where a provisional government of the Republic of Taiwan was formed. Around that time, Mr. Ong founded the Taiwan Youth Association, which was a precursor to the United Formosans for Independence. Later he and someone else formed the Taiwan Youth Magazine. In 1959 Su Beng was asked to work with them on the Taiwan Youth Magazine. The magazine helped spread the Taiwan independence movement from Japan to the U.S.

Su Beng described Mr. Ong was an open-minded man. Su Beng admitted that while the two of them had different opinions and used different strategies, they were both working toward the same goal, which was independence for Taiwan.

The author of the article asked Su Beng: As the elders of the Taiwan independence movement pass away will the Taiwan independence movement lose its roots or direction?

Su Beng's response was that he doesn't think so, as long as the island of Taiwan exists and the people of Taiwan still have their will, it will continue. Though Su Beng said that he may one day soon join Mr. Ong up above, the Taiwan independence movement will not just disappear.

A Surprise for Su Beng

2011-11-24T17:07:00.029-05:00

On November 9, 2011 a surprise music concert birthday event was planned for Su Beng's birthday. It was held at the Howard Civil Service International House (公務人力發展中心福華國際文教會館) in Taipei and about 700 people were in attendance.

I'm sure it must have been an enjoyable event for Su Beng because he is quite the music lover. In fact, he told me that as a student at Waseda, he was quite the classical music aficionado. Anytime a new classical music record was released he'd immediately run out to buy it. He said he had a collection of about 8,000 records at the time. Once he even pawned a personal item for cash so that he would have money to purchase records.

Su Beng and Linda Arrigo

Su Beng and Bin Hong singing.

A photo of Su Beng's maternal grandmother.

A photo of Su Beng's Taiwan Independence Action motorcade.

A bronze bust of Su Beng made by Wen-teh Lin.

Su Beng sitting atop one of his Taiwan Independence Action motorcade propaganda trucks.

A close up of the bronze bust of Su Beng made by Wen-teh Lin.

A photo of the book cover, Conflict & Challenge: Lifestory of Su Beng (衝突與挑戰: 史明生命故事作者蘇振明), which is an authorized Chinese language biography of Su Beng written by Professor Su Jen-Ming. The book also includes illustrations drawn by the author, Professor Su who is a professor of art.

November 7, 2011 at the ART base

2011-11-24T16:01:00.018-05:00

On November 7th there was a small press conference at the ART (Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan) base announcing a surprise music concert/birthday celebration event for Su Beng, who's birthday is actually on November 9th. Several artists and their works of art honoring Su Beng gathered there that day.

Further details and explanations on the photos below will follow at a later date.

Where I am able, I will offer a brief explanation of the people in the photos below.

Bin Hong, Su Beng's assistant.

Wen-teh Lin, an artist friend of Su Beng who sculpted a bust of Su Beng. I met Mr. Lin in 2007 and wrote briefly about him. To read that post and to see photos of the sculpture which was still a work in progress at the time, click here.

Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART).

9/9 Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

2011-09-17T20:31:00.006-04:00

Su Beng celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART) base in Taipei on September 9th. It was a potluck celebration or all the volunteers and supporters of the ART. They expected about 100 people to show up.

It was a very merry occasion.

Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART), Su Beng and Bin Hong.

Su Beng sang a song called "Dancing Girl" (舞女), which was popular in the 1980s. People of Su Beng's generation would be familiar with dance halls which were once popular in Taiwan, decades ago. In these dance halls were "Dancing Girls" who's job it was to entertain and dance with the mostly male patrons. These women were in effect like escorts. The lyrics of "Dancing Girl" describes the sadness of a dancing girl who has to dance with several different men a night. The song is a metaphor for Taiwan's which has fallen under the control of a string of foreign colonial rulers.

He also sang "Taiwan Nationalism" (a song that he himself wrote) and danced.

Bin Hong, Su Beng, A-Diong, Professor Tsay.

August 14: Interviewed by HoChie for TaiwaneseAmerican.org

2011-08-20T00:55:00.005-04:00

After the August 14 event hosted for Su Beng at the Taiwan Center in Rosemead, I was interviewed by HoChie Tsai of TaiwaneseAmerican.org

HoChie and I went to college together and he is the founder of TaiwaneseAmerican.org

Thanks to TaiwaneseAmerican.org for spreading the word about Su Beng's 2011 US Tour: Reconnecting with Taiwanese America!

August 14: Su Beng @ the Taiwan Center in Rosemead, CA

2011-08-15T02:29:00.002-04:00

This was the fourth and final gathering for Su Beng hosted by a FAPA-YPG chapter and I've been to them all!

When Su Beng told me that he was going to be visiting the US this summer, I immediately thought it would be a great opportunity for "second generation" Taiwanese Americans to get to know him. Su Beng is more well known amongst the "first generation" Taiwanese- who are defined as the first wave of immigrants from Taiwan who were born there and moved to the US as adults.

It was a mini-reunion with my college buddies HoChie Tsai and Rick Chang who were there that day. Back in the day we were all involved with the Taiwanese American Students Club at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Taiwan's 400 Year History books and poster were available for sale at the event.

FAPA-YPG of LA/OC members Arthur Chang and Daniel Lin served as translators for Su Beng at the event.

One of the questions that Daniel probed Su Beng about was: How could the Japanese authorities grant Su Beng political asylum even though he was known have been involved in activities to resist the Japanese?

In 1952 Su Beng had fled from Taiwan by stowing away in a boat exporting bananas to Japan. There he was arrested and taken to a detention center for illegally entering the country. He told the authorities that he had had to escape from Taiwan because he was wanted for plotting to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek, and therefore in need of political asylum. When the Kuomintang authorities contacted the Japanese authorities, stating that Su Beng was wanted for trying to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek, this in fact proved that Su Beng was in need of political asylum, so he was released and allowed to remain in Japan.

Su Beng's answer to Daniel's question was simply that Japan has always been a nation that follows the rule of law. With proof that Su Beng was a political dissident, the Japanese authorities released Su Beng and granted him asylum, rather than repatriating him to Taiwan where he would have most certainly been arrested, tortured or suffered an even worse fate.

Su Beng's life is certainly full of contradictions. At the Revolutionary in New York event that I hosted for him, one audience member asked if he thought that the Chinese Communists were not as bad as the Kuomintang, since he had worked undercover with the Chinese Communists and later tried to assassinae Chiang Kai-Shek.

Su Beng's response was that he did not join the Chinese Communist party and had become disillusioned and disgusted with them, which is why he fled back to Taiwan from China in 1949. While he thinks that the Kuomintang were oppressive and unjust during their rule of Taiwan he does believe that the Chinese Communists are far worse than the Kuomintang.

At the DC event hosted by FAPA-YPG, Su Beng was asked why he choose to go to Japan in 1952 and how he could reconcile living there with his anti-Japanese sentiments.

Su Beng responded that at the time he didn't have much choice about where he could go when he fled Taiwan. Japan was the nearest, safest place. He also said that he has nothing against the people of Japan; it was the imperialistic ambitions of the Japanese empire that he was opposed to. Also, since he had been educated during the Japanese occupation in Taiwan and attended Waseda University in Tokyo, it was an easy for him to fit into life there.

At the gathering that FAPA-YPG hosted for Su Beng in Boston there was a debate over how/why Su Beng calls himself a Marxist. You can read one of the participants' opinions on that topic here: http://aboutsubeng.blogspot.com/2011/07/su-beng-taiwans-spark-for-national.html

It's been really interesting to see how very different each FAPA-YPG sponsored gathering for Su Beng has been. It's definitely raised some interesting questions about him and his life. His story is also the story of Taiwan and the Taiwanese people, and the complex relationship and history that Taiwan has had with Japan, and China.

Thanks Arthur and Daniel, you did a great job translating for Su Beng!

FAPA-YPG, LA/OC chapter members: Sally Chen, Ingrid Chiu, Arthur Chang, Daniel Lin, Jerry Liu, Serena Liao and Patrick Yang with Su Beng. Thanks for making this event possible!

A huge thanks to all the FAPA-YPG chapters that coordinated and hosted gatherings for Su Beng, during his 2011 US visit. you helped make him more accessible to "second generation" Taiwanese Americans!

July 30: Su Beng speaking @ the Taiwanese American Association South Summer Conference in Houston, Texas

2011-08-06T23:39:00.004-04:00

Here's a video of Su Beng speaking at the Taiwanese American Association South Summer Conference in Houston, Texas on July 30:

A speech of Su Beng from Hui-Hsiung Kuo on Vimeo.

Su Beng is in the Bay area now and will be speaking in San Jose tomorrow afternoon. Click here for the details.

After this he will be in Seattle for a few days before appearing at the Taiwan Center in Rosemead, CA on August 14. This will be his last appearance in the U.S. before returning to Taiwan and I've decided to fly out to LA for it!

Final thoughts on the July 22, 2011 Revolutionary in New York event

2011-08-04T05:25:00.007-04:00

Looking back on the event, the one regret I have is that I wish that I said more about Su Beng’s current involvement and contributions to the Taiwan independence movement. I also wish that I had taken the opportunity to say something more about Su Beng’s Taiwan Independence Action (TIA) motorcade when I was explaining the video footage from April 26.

Photos courtesy of: Bin Hong

The TIA is notable not just because its members were involved in orchestrating the high-speed chase of Lien Chan on April 26, 2005, nor because the TIA also regularly makes its rounds every Saturday and Sunday in three major cities in Taiwan. The TIA motorcade is a symbol of Su Beng’s continued involvement in major demonstrations and mass movements the Taiwan over the years. The TIA has been present on:

February 28, 2011 to commemorate 64 years since the 2-28 massacre in which an estimated 20,000 Taiwanese were murdered

May 20, 2010 to participate in a demonstration calling for a referendum on the free trade act between Taiwan and China (aka the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement)

December 2009 in protest of the cross-strait talks being held between Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤), Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), and Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS)

May 2009 in a month long month-long march with the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan

I suppose that as Su Beng’s biographer, I have a tendency to focus on his past. But clearly, Su Beng is not slowing down. Just take a look at his scheduled appearances during what I’ve called “Su Beng's 2011 US Tour: reconnecting with Taiwanese America.” Not only does he remain actively involved in Taiwan’s social movements but if you talk to him you’ll discover that he’s also very up on current events.

Finally, a few acknowledgments:

I’d like to thank every one of my wonderful friends who volunteered out at the event or helped in some way to make this event happen! I really couldn’t have done it without any of you. Because of your support, I was able to pull it all off and people got a chance to hear Su Beng talk about some of his life experiences and views on Taiwan.

Special thanks to the Formosan Association of Public Affairs, Young Professional Group of New Jersey and New York for providing refreshments at the event and organizing the afterevent social gathering at La Lanterna.

A heartfelt thanks to all those who attended! This event and all the work that I am doing would be meaningless without an audience. You all braved the heat that day to make it to the event where unfortunately, the conditions indoors were almost equally hot and humid.

Political views aside, I do hope that some people in the audience were perhaps inspired by this man’s tenacity.

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Part II: An Insider’s Look at Revolutionary in New York: a reading, talk, Q&A with Su Beng

2011-08-04T03:47:00.018-04:00

With the spotlight off of me, I was ready to turn it over to Su Beng and to start my Q&A with him. Right about that time, the translator, Professor Ching Lee walked in. And so he took over for Catherine as the translator for Su Beng.

Photo credit: Corky Lee

I’d prepared a long list of questions for Su Beng and I actually managed to ask most of them.

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Sensing that it would be a good time to take a brief intermission, and to relieve the audience from the unbearably hot sauna-like conditions in the room, I looked over at Ed, who seemed in agreement and indicated that I should wrap things up. It was definitely time for an intermission and to get some much needed refreshment!

And some autograph signing

Photo credit: Corky Lee

You wouldn’t have known it if you where there, but there was an air conditioning unit in the back corner of the room. Someone at the event said, it felt like we were in Taiwan, which I think was a very nice way to say it was @#$% hot in the room! Even so, most of the audience stayed after the intermission for the audience Q&A session.

Photo credit: Corky Lee

The event rounded off with a screening of the trailer of Victoria Linchong’s documentary film ALMOST HOME: TAIWAN. However, when it came time to play the DVD on my MacBook, somehow it wouldn’t play, and so Victoria who had already said a few words to introduce her film, was stuck standing in front of the audience stalling for time. The DVD of Su Beng from April 26th had been played on the MacBook but now it wouldn’t play the DVD of the trailer for ALMOST HOME: TAIWAN.

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Earlier that day I’d somehow suddenly become paranoid about things that could possibly go wrong at the Revolutionary in New York event. What could go wrong, really wrong? If for some reason there were technical issues with the AV equipment and we couldn’t play the ALMOST HOME: TAIWAN trailer- that would be a disaster! The AV equipment set up at the venue was the one thing that I’d struggled with in preparing for the event. Everything else I pretty much had under control. There was nothing else technical about the event besides the video cameras that would be there to record the event. By noon I was frantically trying to find someone who could bring an extra PC laptop computer to the event as a back up,” just in case.”

And it’s a good thing that something (call it my gut) told me to bring a backup computer (namely one of the “PC variety” just in case something went wrong with the connection to the MacBook). So in the end, a bigger crisis was averted, as I booted up the extra PC laptop computer I’d brought, connected it to the projector and inserted the DVD. Finally, after some fiddling around, we were able to play the trailer. Phew!

Now let's watch that trailer!

Photo credit: Corky Lee

Indeed, I have a lot to be proud of. Incredibly, I was able to put everything together for this event in less than a month! The venue wasn’t booked until July 6. With seating for 50, I initially just hoped that I’d be able to fill all of the seats. But just a few days before the event, I realized that I’d need to have extra seats brought in. And in the end, about 60 people attended the Revolutionary in New York event that I hosted for Su Beng on July 22.

Stay tuned for video footage of the Revolutionary in New York event, which will be uploaded to YouTube. You’ll be able to hear me read my excerpt and see some of the Q&A portion from the event. Please be patient. There are some technical issues that are still being worked out in order to get this done.

Part I: An Insider’s Look at Revolutionary in New York: a reading, talk, Q&A with Su Beng

2011-08-01T23:42:00.026-04:00

Sullivan Hall, Suite 6B
July 22, 2011

That day, the temperature had reached a sweltering 104 degrees Fahrenheit and unfortunately it wasn’t much better upstairs in 6B of Sullivan Hall, where the Revolutionary in New York event was to be held.

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

As people trickled in, video footage from Su Beng’s April 26, 2005 high-speed chase of Lien Chan’s motorcade en route to the then “Chiang Kai-shek” airport in Taipei, Taiwan was played. A group of taxis, organized by Su Beng, was seen chasing Lien Chan on the highway en route to the airport, and one taxi in particular, drove right up alongside Lien’s car. Out of the passenger window, someone (Su Beng) held out a piece of paper, which read, “Don’t sellout Taiwan.” The police intervened in the chase, and Su Beng and members of his Taiwan Independence Action motorcade were unable to delay or stop Lien from making his flight to China that day.

April 26, 2005 was also the day that mass protests erupted in the now renamed Taiwan Taoyuan airport. Formerly known as the Chian Kai-shek airport, it was renamed in 2006. The protests were a reaction to Lien’s “unofficial” trip to China, where closed-door meetings and negotiations with the Chinese Communist leadership would take place. There were over 3000 police officers deployed at the airport and on the highway that day. Approximately a thousand people showed up at the airport that day, among them were both supporters and opponents of Lien’s trip. Though unable to prevent Lien Chan from making his flight to China that day, Su Beng and his supporters showed up at the airport later on, joining the mass protest. Unfortunately, conflicts between the two sides turned violent and many participants were physically injured in the process.

View the entire video here:

Meanwhile, suite 6B was filling up and it seemed like it was time to officially kick off the Revolutionary in New York event, but there was just one problem. The translator for Su Beng was nowhere to be found. And of course, he would have to be the one person who’s mobile number I didn’t have with me. So it seems, when things could have gone wrong, they did. I frantically checked through my email to find his number and call him.

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

In a quick change in plans, my friend Catherine, who’s actually met Su Beng quite a few times in Taiwan, agreed to step in as the translator for him.

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

Finally Ed Lin, the emcee, stood up, and addressed the audience, explained the program for the evening and read biographical introductions for Su Beng, myself, Catherine and Victoria (who’s film trailer for her documentary, Almost Home: Taiwan would be shown at the end of the night).

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

In my opening remarks I first explained the background behind the video footage and protest, which had been playing in the background. I don't remember what exactly I said, but here are some of the points that I hope I managed to communicate about the video:

Earlier that year, in March of 2005, China had passed the anti-secession law, which stated that it was illegal for Taiwan to secede from China. The law basically mandated military action by the Peoples' Liberation Army. I also explained the controversy behind why there was such an outcry against Lien’s visit to China. After all of this preamble, which seemed much to go on much longer than I’d intended, I moved on to setting the stage before the reading of an excerpt from the Conscience of Taiwan: The Memoirs of Su Beng.

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

I began by reminding the audience that Su Beng had been in China from 1942-49 during WWII, and that he escaped from Chinese Communists and fled back to Taiwan 1949. When he returned to Taiwan, martial law had been declared and there had been a major uprising in which 20,000 people were murdered and disappeared, many of them the intellectually elite. This era, which lasted up until martial law was lifted in 1987 is called the white terror era. During this era many political dissidents were jailed and suppressed. There were no civil liberties and the moves of all citizens were tightly controlled. People were unable to move around freely- even within Taiwan, let alone leave the country. So when Su Beng’s plot to assassinate CKS was discovered, he had to go into hiding. He remained on the run, going from one city to another city within a 24 hour period. For example he’d stay in a city in the north for a night, but within 24 hours he’d go to another city in central Taiwan and so on… so that the authorities couldn’t track all of his movements or whereabouts. The reason for this was that everywhere he went he had to register or present his ID card. Finally, he figured out a way to get out of Taiwan. Since the main export at the time was bananas to Japan, he devised a plan to stow away in a boat exporting bananas. In the excerpt that I had planned to read, Su Beng had hidden himself in the cargo section of the boat. He was waiting for it to set sail in the wee hours of the morning, and is thinking to himself about how he got there.

Photo credit: Peter Yang Zhao

Now I’m not going to give away the actual excerpt here. You’ll have to read it in the book when it comes out!

It was a very suspenseful paragraph, and hopefully it peaked people’s curiosity, making them want to read more and to learn more about Su Beng.

NEXT: Part II of An Insider’s Look at Revolutionary in New York: a reading, talk, Q&A with Su Beng

Su Beng's statement regarding the 7/31 release of an authorized Chinese language biography of his life

2011-08-01T23:27:00.005-04:00

After the gathering hosted by the FAPA-YPG DC Chapter, I spent an extra day with Su Beng in Maryland at the home of his relative where he was staying. It was the first time that I was able to just spend some quality time with him. I brought him some famous New York bagels, which he enjoyed very much. He said they reminded him of something called “kiam gong bian” (in Taiwanese), which apparently is the equivalent of a Taiwanese bagel.

While I was there I also video recorded this statement that Su Beng made regarding a book which was set to be released on July 31st in Taiwan. The book is an authorized Chinese language biography of Su Beng written about him by Professor Su Jen-Ming (衝突與挑戰: 史明生命故事作者蘇振明). The title of the book translates as: Conflict & Challenge: Lifestory of Su Beng and includes illustrations drawn by the author (Professor Su who is a professor of art).

July 24: Su Beng @ the Blaauw residence (Washington, D.C. area)

2011-08-01T22:47:00.005-04:00

The gathering organized by FAPA-YPG, DC Chapter was an intimate affair hosted in the home of Coen Blaauw.

Eileen Lin, FAPA-YPG Coordinator served as Su Beng's translator for the first half of the Q&A with Su Beng

Photo credit: Chia Liu

Chia Liu, FAPA-YPG member took up the job of translating for Su Beng for the second half of the Q&A

Photo courtesy of Chia Liu

Thanks Eileen and Chia for your excellent translation that day!

Photo credit: Felicia Lin

There was also a mini-reunion of sorts. Su Beng was reunited with Jean, who's family hosted him at their home in Texas when he used to make annual visits to the US in the summer months in the 80s and 90s. Su Beng has not seen Jean in nearly 20 years- when she was just a girl! Jean now lives in DC. Su Beng will be staying at her parents' house in Texas once again when he's there to attend the Taiwanese American Association Summer Conference- South at the end of July. Here they happily posed for a photo together:

Photo credit: Felicia Lin

There was plenty of Taiwanese food and drink, like Taiwan Beer!

... and green tea and red bean popsicles

Photo courtesy of Coen Blaauw

Photo courtesy of Coen Blaauw

"Arigato" Su Beng thanked everyone before he left.

Su Beng's 2011 US visit: July 29-31 in Houston, TX

2011-07-26T22:43:00.004-04:00

This weekend, July 29-31, Su Beng will be in Houston, Texas for the Taiwanese American Association Summer Conference- South.

On August 7th Su Beng will be in San Jose and speaking at the Taiwanese American Center at 2:00 pm. There will be a dinner held for him at the Dynasty Seafood Restaurant at 7:00 pm. Click here for full details.

Then, on August 14th Su Beng will be at the Taiwan Center in Rosemead, CA from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. The event will be an up close and personal town-hall style meeting/discussion with Su Beng. Click here for full details.

Somewhere in the midst of all this Su Beng will be stopping by in Seattle as well!

July 22: Su Beng @ Sullivan Hall, NYC

2011-07-26T01:36:00.017-04:00

Finally, after this whirlwind of weekend events, and returning from a weekend in the DC area with Su Beng late on Monday, I've found some time to post a few photos from the Revolutionary in New York event that I hosted on Friday, July 22, 2011. I will write up a post with my thoughts on the event soon, but first here are some photos that captured the event.

Special thanks to Lisa Tan who shot these photos with my camera during the event.

Su Beng was the first to arrive of course!
Copies of the English version of Su Beng's book, Taiwan's 400 Year History, were available for sale. The book is self-published and therefore not that readily available.
Sneaking a bite to eat before all the event goes into full swing.
People are slowly getting seated.
It was a full house.
Anticipation is mounting.
Where is the translator?! I'm frantically trying to look up his cell number here.
Quick change in plans. Talking to the stand in translator.
Ed Lin, emcee of the night starts off the event.
Finally the main event has started with my opening remarks.
Reading an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan.
The translator, Professor Ching Lee has arrived.
My opening questions for Su Beng.

The autograph line during intermission.
Grinning and bearing it through the heat during the intermission with Victoria Linchong, filmmaker of the documentary Almost Home: Taiwan
The second part of the event: Audience Q&A with Su Beng is about to get started.
It was so hot in that I was trying to fan myself and Su Beng.

Some people submitted their questions for Su Beng using Vibe, the iPhone app.
Victoria Linchong introduces her film Almost Home: Taiwan.

With Su Beng and Professor Ching Lee, the event translator.

In this photo: a volunteer from the event, two members of Su Beng's team- who are from Taiwan and are traveling with him around the US, Su Beng, and Mrs. Kang- who was hosting Su Beng in New Jersey

Su Beng's 2011 US visit: August 7 in San Jose, CA

2011-07-26T01:04:00.005-04:00

Sunday, August 7, 2011, 2:00 pm & 6:00 pm

2:00 pm (speech given by Su Beng in Taiwanese)
Taiwanese American Center
4413 Fortran Court
San Jose, CA 95134
(Free! Just show up!)

6:00 pm (dinner gathering with Su Beng)
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
1001 Story Rd
San Jose, CA 95122
($30/person *Please RSVP by 8/1)

Reflections on Su Beng's July 17 appearance @ Harvard organized by FAPA-YPG, MA

2011-07-24T00:40:00.006-04:00

Article and photos by Chia-Chun Chung
July 20, 2011

The second public event for Su Beng in Boston, organized by the local FAPA-YPG, took place on Sunday, July 17 at Harvard University. The gathering was attended by students, young professionals, and local members of the community, making it truly a cross-generational meeting of the minds.

Su Beng spoke about how his experiences in Japan and China shaped his own identity and prompted him to embark on the long, and sometimes lonely, fight for Taiwan's independence. As one attendee later put it, ironically, “Su Beng found Taiwan in China.” Su Beng shared his interpretation of Taiwanese Nationalism: Taiwan and its citizens have evolved together through history, and developed their own culture along with collective economic and political interests. He has written about and frequently discussed this concept for decades. Su Beng believes that this self-awareness, understanding and acceptance of Taiwanese Nationalism will lead to Taiwan’s independence, given that Taiwanese people unite and stand firm to safeguard Taiwan’s interests.

During the Q&A sessions, several interesting questions prompted equally dynamic answers from Su Beng. When asked what he would say to President Ma, a former student at Harvard many years ago, Su Beng responded, “Ma should really explain his relationship with China.” Su Beng, 92, called Ma’s recent self-declaration on facebook, “I am a descendant of the Yellow Emperor in blood and I identify with Taiwan in terms of my identity. I fight for Taiwan and I am Taiwanese,” totally archaic, and said that the concept of lineage only befits a feudal system and is of no relevance in multicultural modern Taiwan.

Su Beng’s staunch belief in Marxism prompted a lively exchange. One attendee questioned how Su Beng could continue to call himself a Marxist after witnessing the brutal acts by the Chinese Communist Party firsthand. Another in the audience asked Su Beng whether he wants to see Taiwan eventually become a Marxist society. Before the questions could get completely translated for Su Beng, others in the audience jumped in with their thoughts. The discussion was cut short and resumed after the event and through dinner. In the end, those involved all agreed that the differences in opinion arose mainly from different interpretations of “Su Beng’s Marxism.” It seemed that Su Beng holds the theoretical view of Marxism very close to his heart, but at the same time he disapproves of the dictatorships that have historically grown out of Marxist beliefs.

Although I did not partake in this particular discussion, just sitting next to Su Beng at the time gave me much to think about. He sat, calm and composed, took everything in, and then insisted on clarifying his take on Marxism in his own deliberate, logical, matter-of-fact way. I watched and wondered how many times had he faced similar questions and even sharper criticism on his ideology before. It is almost certain that the “Marxist” label would not go far in winning friends in today’s world, let alone in Taiwan a few decades ago. Su Beng, however, held firmly to his convictions through the years and never gave them up. In his frail, slouching figure, I saw a quiet resolve that must also have been the driving force behind his decades of tireless toiling to free Taiwan from what he calls “a colonial regime.” Perhaps that inner strength is best embodied at the end of his speech, when he proclaimed, with full passion and confidence, that “Taiwan WILL BE INDEPENDENT!”

Chia-Chun Chung is the Chapter President of FAPA-MA

July 20: Su Beng @ NY Taiwan Center

2011-07-21T00:39:00.013-04:00

As soon as Su Beng arrived, this reporter began interviewing Su Beng in Japanese

He was also asked to sign books.

The event was well attended.

The discussion got a bit heated toward the end. There was a great deal of debate about Taiwan independence and nation building for Taiwan.

Su Beng's 2011 US visit: July 20, NY Taiwan Center

2011-07-20T12:02:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

New York Taiwan Center
137-44 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, New York 11354

Tonight Su Beng will be appearing at the New York Taiwan Center and I'll be there! Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it out to New Jersey earlier this week to meet with him. I will be in D.C. this weekend for the gathering that FAPA-YPG-Washington D.C. has planned for him on Sunday, July 24th. And then he's off to Houtson to attend the TAA-South Summer Camp (Houston, TX) from July 29 - July 31, and back to San Jose and Los Angeles, before returning to Taiwan.

Su Beng's 2011 US visit: July 23 in Washington D.C.

2011-07-20T12:01:00.004-04:00

Saturday, July 23, 2011, 4:30pm
Sponsored by TAA- Washington D.C.

Here are the details regarding a gathering that TAA of Washington, D.C. has planned for Su Beng on Saturday:

各位鄉親,很高興有這次機會, 史明能來華府和我們相聚, 請勿錯失良機.
主題: 台灣前途漫談

主講: 史明 (台灣四百年史的作者)

時間：4:30 PM, 7月23日(星期六)
地點：Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Washington (3211 Paul Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902)
史明, 是台灣四百年史的作者, 是一位終身為台灣打拼奮鬥的歐吉桑。他由日本返台灣近二十年後, 這是第一次重返美國與同鄉及學生見面。現年93年歲的史明對台灣前途依舊樂觀, 並為其理想全力以赴。相信大家都真歡喜有這個機會再與他見面, 了解他的近況, 給這位歐吉桑加油打氣, 並與他共同討論對台灣的理想。
如需要詳情請向我, 黃興貫 (240.205.5568), 或王巧蓉 (240.210.0436) 連絡. 謝謝.
_______________________________________________________
以下是史明的生平簡介:
史明（1918年11月9日－）, 本名施朝暉, 左派台灣獨立運動的重要領袖之一、「獨立台灣會」的創始人、截至目前為止規模最大的台灣通史著作《台灣人四百年史》的作者

除了上述的政治運動以外, 史明也花了相當精力在台灣史的資料收集和撰寫上, 他前後用了十年的時間, 以日文寫成《台灣人四百年史》(東京：音羽書房 1962)一書, 是站在台灣人立場所撰寫的第一部台灣通史著作。這本屬於台獨陣營的台灣史鉅著後來以中文出版了《台灣人四百年史》(San Jose, Calif.：蓬島文化公司 1980)一書, 並在1986年以英語出版了屬於節錄版的《Taiwan's 400 Year History: The Origins and Continuing Development of the Taiwanese Society and People》(Washington, D.C.：Taiwanese Cultural Grassroots Association)一書。史明最重要的史觀, 在於強調應該以台灣人勞苦大眾的立場, 來觀察台灣社會各個階段的形成發展。也就是說他雖然排斥中共, 卻從未放棄過馬克思主義的信仰。
為了這本書的寫作, 史明跑遍了日本國會圖書館以及東京都立日比谷圖書館蒐集和台灣有關的史料, 在該書(日文版)的前言裡, 他這樣表示：「我們台灣人對於自己所賴以生存的社會發展史頗疏於認識, 可以說, 幾乎完全不知道。……因為這樣缺乏對台灣歷史發展的認識, 所以我們台灣人當中的一部份人(特別是知識份子)的台灣人意識, 必然的帶有濃厚的脆弱性。」而類此的缺點造成台灣「無法擺脫四百年來的外來殖民統治」。
史明把二二八事件當做是台灣人獨立意志的表達, 視台灣史與長期殖民統治為一回事, 所以和獨立的追求有密不可分的關聯性。他這本《台灣人四百年史》的地下版本於1980年代末期引進台灣後, 對二二八以後出生之年輕一代「台灣意識」的覺醒, 有著相當程度的貢獻。
[编辑] 1990年代的返鄉

在台灣民主化以後, 被稱之為「最後一個黑名單」的史明, 也於1993年回到故鄉, 他一面發展組織, 成立「台北愛鄉會」、「高雄愛鄉會」等基層組織, 另一方面也風塵僕僕地繼續推展「獨立台灣會」的政治理念和鬥爭路線, 將獨立台灣會轉回島內。
1994年2月1日獨立台灣會台北總部正式成立, 1995年7月31日獨立台灣會於台中設立聯絡處, 1995年3月29日「獨立台灣會」台北宣傳車隊正式成軍, 每週六、日下午利用打鼓車隊宣揚台灣獨立和台灣民族主義, 持續至今從未間斷。並於1996年至1999年設立台灣大眾地下廣播電台。
史明除以台灣大眾電台作為宣傳工具外, 並且多次舉辦營隊推廣台灣獨立革命意識, 在2005年3月中國片面通過反分裂法之後, 活動更為積極, 除與台大學生於台大校門口發起長達十四天之靜坐活動表示抗議之外, 並且於江丙坤與連戰出訪中國時主張以更為激進之方式進行抗爭, 而得到正反不一的評價。
史明並且提出兩條道路的台灣獨立路線以及台灣獨立運動的工作方向, 即「體制外革命路線」與「體制內改革路線」, 表示「體制外革命路線與體制內改革路線是獨立運動的一體兩面」, 台灣獨立運動的「二個工作方向」, 分為島內的改革與革命的「島內工作」與國際關係上與美日結盟的「國際工作」, 以實現台灣的「完全獨立」。並且表示自己「一心一意為台灣, 老老實實做獨立, 一切行動對歷史交代。」此外, 史明從不願意承認中華民國在台灣的統治權, 他至今只有一次使用過中華民國身分證投票, 那是在2004年的中華民國總統大選時投給了陳水扁。
2007年12月16日, 史明抱病蒞臨台灣團結聯盟立法委員參選人林志嘉競選總部成立大會。
他在91高齢, 於2009年4月22日, 還帶領著「台灣獨立宣傳車隊」, 與「公投護台灣聯盟」蔡丁貴所舉辦的“不爽, 出來行”的活動, 由恆春行腳到台北。隨即參加五一七大遊行活動。
===============================
黃興貫敬上
華府臺灣同鄉會 2011年會長
Sam Huang, President, 2011 TAAGWC
(301) 279-2132 (H)
taa2011ssh@gmail.com

Su Beng, Taiwan's Spark for National Awakening

2011-07-19T20:34:00.005-04:00

Article and photo by Howard G. Fass
July 19, 2011

Last weekend Su Beng visited the Boston area and spent time with various Boston area Taiwanese groups and individuals.

In particular, he spent time discussing Taiwan's need for national identity, Taiwan's history, politics and his own life's experiences. It was a rare opportunity to listen to a man who was an actual living piece of history and had jumped right into the thick of things on his own and got involved. Rather then just being a talker, he was and is a doer as well. This 92-year old Taiwanese revolutionary has lived quite the romantic and fascinating life full of intrigue, conflict and vibrancy... much like Taiwan itself in many ways.

At one point he was a communist spy working for the CCP in China against the Japanese (as he felt then that Japan was trying to conquer all of Asia), later he saw the horrors of the CCP first-hand and quickly left China to return back to Taiwan, at another point he plotted to actually assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek because of all the horrors the KMT was visiting upon the Taiwanese people in their homeland. Later he fled to Japan and only returned back to Taiwan in the 1990's.

Listening to him speak was an emotional roller-coaster ride for me personally full of conflict as he is still a committed Marxist in his ideology. I did rather sharply try to challenge him on this ideology and its long sad history. Slowly, however, I came to discover that beyond the simple label "Marxist" he is quite the humanitarian and a staunch defender of human rights and liberty. To Su Beng's good credit he believes that the grave mistakes of Stalin, Lenin, Mao, Pol Pot and others do not necessarily diminish the original good ideals that Marx had to offer.

How can all this possibly fit? I'm not certain, but maybe one explanation works like this: Perhaps back when he was younger he fell in love with the unobtainable utopian text book ideals of Marxism and this beautiful dream for him left its mark on his heart and somehow motivated and activated him to seek to do good in the face of oppression. His was a time of extreme violence in a world inflamed by war and oppression by foreign domination in Taiwan so real, that violence and murder were constant daily events. In this context, it is possible that it may be very challenging for us today to look back and understand exactly with proper clarity...

Kennedy once said: "If you make peaceful change impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable."

Whether one agrees or not with everything Su Beng says or did in his long colorful life; one thing is crystal clear and that is his consistent strong love for a free and independent Taiwan. For him, and on this point I heartily agree, Taiwanese can have no peace and freedom so long as they are ruled by anyone else. Maybe in this murky world, such as it is, this is a pretty good starting point and maybe the most important one after all so long as it is done with a good heart and compassion. The differences and fine points, maybe just that...

In closing it was an amazing time spent with an old guard of Taiwan's resistance to domination and foreign control. He is an amazingly honest, direct individual who will challenge you and often say what you may not like to hear, but in the end you never doubt that he is real, sincere and full of compassion for the building of the Nation of Taiwan. This quality alone is truly stellar and is much needed in a Taiwan that may feel more apathetic and fail to see the dangers that are poised to destroy them once again from the likes of a new KMT and CCP banded together to deny Taiwanese their rights to freedom, liberty and the independent nation-state they so richly deserve.

Thanks for reading and get to learn more about this interesting Taiwanese historical figure and judge for yourself. He is a published author of a mammoth book which details Taiwan's last 400-years of history. He is a character unlike any other I have ever met; part revolutionary, part dreamer, part romantic idealist but all 100% heart and soul for Taiwan.

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Disclaimer: My purpose for writing this piece here about Su Beng is to support Taiwan's right for full and complete nationhood and independence. While I admire and like many aspects of Su Beng and respect him, I do not support Marxism.

www.thesnowlion.com

July 16, 2011: Su Beng @ The Lexington Depot

2011-07-18T01:40:00.032-04:00

Photo credit: Michael Steinberg (from: www.lexington.patch.com)

How apropos that the event organized by TAA/FAPA/NATWA of Boston, MA was held at the Lexington Depot, which is operated by the Lexington Historical Society.

See what a warm reception that Su Beng received upon his arrival:

The event began with some projected images and videos of Su Beng:

The main organizer of the event, CY Wang had asked me in advance if I would like to introduce myself and to say a few words about my work on Su Beng's biography. So I had prepared a few thoughts. And on that day, though we had never met before, Mr. Wang gave me a very warm introduction acknowledging all of the time and hard work and that I've spent on documenting Su Beng's life. It was really the first time that anyone has so publicly expressed their appreciation for what I'm doing and it was such a great feeling to be given recognition like this. It warmed my heart and I felt so welcomed that I was able to deliver my little "speech" entirely in Taiwanese! I surprised myself even- that I was actually able to do this!

One thing that I shared with the audience is how I had not initially set out to write Su Beng's biography. In fact, when I initially approached Su Beng, I had asked him if I could simply interview him in order to write a fictional story (about Taiwan) inspired by his life experiences. His answer to this was simply, "Yes, ok, if it's for the good of Taiwan." To me it was pretty amazing that he would agree to talk to me and give his time to me, if he believed that I was doing something for the good of Taiwan. I was "a nobody", i.e. I wasn't an established writer or anyone of influence. Now, there's certainly more that I could say about Su Beng and the time I've spent interviewing him and working with him on his biography, but I think I'll save that for the epilogue.

Su Beng talked about his decision to go to China and work for the Chinese Communists in 1942. Growing up during Japan's occupation Taiwan, the seeds of opposition towards Japan were sowed in Su Beng and later his study of socialism and Marxism at Waseda University deepened his resolve to fight against Japan's imperialistic expansion in Asia. The answer to him at the time seemed to be to go work with the Chinese Communists to resist Japan's rising ambition to conquer Asia.

As he worked with the Chinese Communists over the next few years he was given new assignments and more responsibilities, but in order to advance he'd have to officially join the party and there was increasing pressure put upon him to do so. Su Beng talked about how he had seen the hypocrisy and brutality of the Chinese Communists by then, and that he had resolved that he would not join the party, so he made excuses to put off joining the Chinese Communist party. And eventually he found a way to escape from the Communists and out of China.

Su Beng also talked about his optimistic outlook on Taiwan. He believes that Taiwan will most certainly be independent. He cites the growing numbers of people in Taiwan who now identify themselves as Taiwanese and not Chinese. He believes that as long as there is a growing solidarity amongst the people of Taiwan (regardless of their ancestry e.g. Hakka, Holo, Han Chinese or Aborigine) and a general acceptance of a Taiwan nation, then independence for Taiwan will surely follow.

Su Beng speaking at the Lexington Depot

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: July 24 at the Blaauw residence (Washington, DC area)

2011-07-17T01:45:00.004-04:00

Sunday, July 24, 2011, 3:00pm

Location: The Blaauw Residence (RSVP for address & directions)

Transportation: Metro or Driving
Metro: The closest metro is Medical Center (Red Line), Pick-up @ 2:40PM
Driving: There is residential (free) street parking. Please do not block driveways.

RSVP: Eileen Lin, elin@ypg.fapa.org by Friday, July 22nd. Please indicate if you need a ride from Medical Center Metro stop

FAPA-YPG invites you to join us in welcoming Su Beng (史明) to the DC area. Please RSVP early as space is limited!

Mr. Su Beng, the author of “Taiwan 400 Years of History”, has devoted his entire life to pursuing a free and independent Taiwan. This is his first visit to the U.S. since he returned to Taiwan almost 20 years ago. The legendary 92-year old Taiwan independence theorist and activist is still optimistic about Taiwan’s future. This is a rare opportunity for many of us who knew and met him years ago to meet him again here in the U.S. This will be a small group discussion where you can hear Su Beng talk about his experiences during Taiwan's tumultuous history, learn about his vision for Taiwan's future, as well as ask your own questions.

Sponsored by FAPA-YPG, Washington D.C.

July 22: Revolutionary in NY Afterevent Social, 10 pm @ La Lanterna

2011-07-14T20:20:00.010-04:00

Formosan Association of Public Affairs- Young Professionals Group (FAPA-YPG) of New Jersey and New York will be hosting an afterevent social, the Revolutionary in NY Afterevent Social
Want to continue the discussion, have a drink and socialize with others after the main event? Then join us for some continued lively conversation at:

Revolutionary in NY Afterevent SocialLa Lanterna di Vittorio129 MacDougal St.10:00 pm

Feel free to join us even if you couldn't make it to the Revolutionary in NY event. Please note that unfortunately, Su Beng will probably not make be able to attend the afterevent social.

**We will need an exact headcount for the afterevent social by Wednesday, July 20, since reservations special have been made, which will be subject to penalties for no shows. Please RSVP for the afterevent social at: subeng.biographer@gmail.com

Don't forget to RSVP for the main event:

Revolutionary in NY: a reading, talk, Q&A with Su Beng
July 22, 2011, 6:30-9:30pm, 214 Sullivan St. #6B
$5, RSVP required at: http://subenginny2011.eventbrite.com/
Sponsored by FAPA-YPG of NJ & NY, light refreshments will be provided.

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: August 14 at Taiwan Center (Rosemead, CA)

2011-07-13T22:12:00.002-04:00

Sunday, August 14, 2:00 pm -4:00 pm

Taiwan Center
3001 Walnut Grove
Rosemead, CA

An up close and personal town-hall style meeting/discussion with Su Beng, light deserts & refreshments will be provided. No admission is required, cash donation to FAPA YPG LA/OC Chapter is strongly encouraged at the door.

史明簡介

本名施朝暉，1918 年出生於台北士林施家。一生知行合一，不斷著作論述，傳達革命理念，公認是當代的勇者，永遠的革命家。

1936 年台北一中肄業，1937 年留學日本，畢業於早稻田大學政治經濟學部。1942 年懷著熱切理想，赴中國上海，加入中共陣營抗日。抗日勝利後中國大地陷入國共決戰，史明因對中共徹底失望，於1949 年5 月突破封鎖返回台灣。同年國民黨政府敗退台灣。1950 年2 月，集合二二八時倖免於難的三、四十名青年，在台北草山、苗栗大湖等地組織「台灣獨立革命武裝隊」。1951 年底槍枝被國民黨發現遂遭通緝，1952 年3 月逃至基隆做搬運香蕉工人，5 月搭貨輪天山丸潛赴日本，登陸時遭日本政府逮捕，後獲政治庇護。

1961 年《台灣人四百年史》日文版問世。1967 年主導「台灣獨立連合會」，因無法團結在日台獨運動解散。同年創立「獨立台灣會」。直到八○年代，都以「島內地下工作」為重心，致力於台灣獨立運動。 1980年《台灣人四百年史》漢文版發行，1986 年《台灣人四百年史》英文版發行。1993年10 月返台，返台後，仍堅持體制外的台灣獨立革命運動路線，至今仍努力不懈

Sponsored by FAPA YPG LA/OC Chapter

Su Beng 's 2011 US Visit: TBA dates

2011-07-13T00:25:00.006-04:00

The reception and interest from the Taiwanese American community in organizing meetings and gatherings with Su Beng during his current US visit has been incredible! I'd like to thank everyone who has reached out to me to arrange the various meetings and gatherings with Su Beng in their respective cities. In addition to New York and New Jersey, Boston, DC and LA are all organizing gatherings and events with Su Beng. Announcements from their organizers will be forthcoming soon.

FAPA-YPG Washington DC is planning a gathering for Su Beng on July 24th.

FAPA-YPG in Los Angeles, CA is planning a town hall style meeting with Su Beng at the Taiwan Center on August 14th.

I myself am looking forward to finally reconnecting with Su Beng myself- this weekend up in the Boston area!

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JOIN and invite your friends to the facebook event Su Beng's 2011 US Tour: Reconnecting with Taiwanese America, here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=215792018462011

RSVP for Su Beng's July 22 event in NYC's Manhattan here: http://subenginny2011.eventbrite.com/
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WANT to participate in documenting his US visit?

UPLOAD any VIDEO footage shot of Su Beng to the Youtube channel: StoryOfSuBeng

SHARE PHOTOS taken of Su Beng during his US 2011 trip to the Flickr group under the email address: subeng.biographer@gmail.com. It's called Su Beng's 2011 US visit.

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: July 17 at Harvard University

2011-07-12T20:24:00.006-04:00

Sunday, July 17, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Maxwell Dworkin Building, Harvard University
Room MD119
33 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA

Join fellow students and young professionals on Sunday, July 17th, to engage in a cross-generation dialogue with Su Beng. Mr. Su Beng, 92, has been a life-long political activist for Taiwan, and is on his first visit to the US in almost 20 years. He also authored the book, Taiwan's 400 Year History.

Catch this exceptional opportunity for a discussion with Su Beng. Hear Su Beng talk about his experiences during Taiwan's tumultuous history, and learn about his vision for Taiwan's future.

這是畢生為台灣獨立奮鬥的史明先生潛返台灣近二十年後，第一次重返美國與同鄉及學生會面。

在波士頓這站我們特別為青年朋友們安排了小型的座談會與史明先生交流。今年92年歲的史明對台灣前途依舊樂觀，並仍為其理想全力以赴。

別錯過這這場跨世代的對談!

Schedule:
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm Check in and introductions
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm Dialogue with Su Beng
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm Break & Refreshments
4:20 pm - 5:00 pm Q & A

Parking available on Oxford Street.

To RSVP: Contact Chia-Chun Chung at jchung1@gmail.com, (718) 490-1657

Sponsored by FAPA-YPG

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: July 19 in New Jersey

2011-07-11T04:00:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Shogun 22 restaurant
66 Route 22, Green Brook, NJ 08812
732-968-3330

Schedule:
6:00 pm Dinner with Su Beng, $20 dinner box
8:00 pm Discussion & Talk with Su Beng

*RSVP by Friday, July 15.
To make reservations, call Mr. Lee at: 973-454-3179

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: July 16 in the Boston area

2011-07-11T03:35:00.005-04:00

Saturday, July 16, 2011, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Su Beng U.S. Speech Tour – Boston Visit
史明美國巡迴演講會

Taiwanese American Association- Boston (TAA- Boston)
波士頓台灣同鄉會
Formosan Association of Public Affairs- MA (FAPA- MA)
台灣人公共事務會麻州分會
North American Taiwanese American Women's Association(NATWA- Boston)
北美洲婦女會波士頓分會

Invite you to enjoy a day with the legendary Su Beng and friends young and old. Please register with us early for your seats and lunch boxes. We look forward to seeing you!

CY Wang: tacec2002@yahoo.com
Chai-Chun Chung: jchung1@gmail.com
Lisa Shih: lbshih@yahoo.com

Su Beng, the author of “Taiwan 400 Years of History”, has devoted his entire life to pursuing a free and independent Taiwan. This is his first visit to the U.S. since he returned to Taiwan almost 20 years ago. The legendary 92-year old Taiwan independence theorist and activist is still optimistic about Taiwan’s future. This is a rare opportunity for many of us who met him years ago to be reunited with him here in the U.S. We will conduct a series of events to welcome him (see below for details). Please register with us early for this wonderful occasion.

這是畢生為台灣獨立奮鬥的史明先生潛返台灣近二十年後，第一次重返美國與同鄉及學生見面。現年92年歲的史明對台灣前途依舊樂觀，並為其理想全力以赴。相信大家都真歡喜有這個機會再與他見面，了解他的近況，並與他共同討論對台灣的理想。我們將在優雅並具歷史意義的Lexington Depot舉辦一系列的活動 (詳見以下節目內容)，請大家提早報名參加。

Venue 地點： Lexington Depot
13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420

Programs節目：

11:00 am-12:00 noon Story of Su Beng: video clips and music display 有關史明的影片及歌曲欣賞
12:00 noon-1:30 pm Lunch with Su Beng 享用簡便午餐
1:30 pm-3:00 pm SuBeng's Talk and dialogue with Su Beng 史明演講與對談
3:00 pm-3:30 pm Refreshments and reception 交誼、休息
3:30 pm-4:00 pm Q&A with audience 史明與聽眾問答

Parking : Public parking is available near Lexington Depot (about $1/hour).
Please see the attachment for Lexington Depot and the parking locations.
停車: 市立停車場就在Lexington Depot外面(詳見附件)

Registration and Lunch Reservation
請注意報名及預訂便當:
由於Lexington Depot 僅能容納100人，我們將以會員優先，有多餘空位才開放給非會員。參加者請事先報名及預訂便當，便當費用: 會員$10, 非會員$12。便當選項
Japanese lunch box choices: (1) Chicken Teriyaki, (2) Vegetarian. 請於7月14日(Thursday)

前向我們報名:
王振源 CY Wang tacec2002@yahoo.com 781-863-9874
鍾佳君Chia-chun Chung jchung1@gmail.com 718-490-1657
黃碧雯 Lisa Shih lbshih@yahoo.com 781-862-4428

A Video about Su Beng and news of his US visit on TaiwanUS.net

2011-07-09T12:38:00.002-04:00

I discovered this video on www.taiwan.us.net about Su Beng. The video also briefly goes into the early struggles of the Taiwanese against a string of colonial rulers. It is narrated in Taiwanese and seems to have quite a bit of archival footage.

Click here to see another video of a report on Su Beng done in January 2010 by a local television station in Taiwan. I've seen it before but haven't posted it here.

Once you get clicking, you'll see that there are other videos out there about Su Beng and Taiwan on YouTube.

Su Beng's 2011 US visit: July 22 in New York City

2011-07-07T23:23:00.009-04:00

A recent photo of Su Beng in San Diego, CA.

All the details have been confirmed for the event I'm planning for Su Beng in Manhattan!

Revolutionary in NY: a reading, talk, Q&A with Su Beng

Friday, July 22, 2011
6:30 pm-9:30 pm
214 Sullivan St. #6B
New York, NY 10012

*RSVPs required on eventbrite, click here.

The $5 door fee includes a signed poster that is a replica of the cover of the English-language version of Taiwan’s 400 Year History by Su Beng. In addition, a limited number of books will be available for purchase and signing. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Su Beng Education Foundation, which supports Su’s independence activities in Taiwan. The event is sponsored by Formosan Association for Public Affairs Young Professional Group (FAPA-YPG) of New York and New Jersey.

Catch this rare opportunity to hear Su Beng, a 92 year old revolutionary Marxist from Taiwan talk about his life with his biographer, yours truly, Felicia Lin. Formerly an undercover Chinese Communist agent, and would be assassin of Chiang Kai-shek, Su Beng is here from Taiwan on his first visit to the U.S. in nearly 20 years. He is best known for his lifelong work for Taiwan independence and as the author of Taiwan's 400 Year of History. Hear the true tales of his time in China, his thoughts on the Kuomintang authorities in Taiwan, his years of exile in Japan (1952-1993), his continued activism in Taiwan and his previous U.S. cross country adventures.

Schedule:

6:30pm Registration and check-in
7:00pm Opening remarks
7:30pm Reading of an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan: The Memoirs of Su Beng- a work still in progress
8:00pm Discussion/talk between Su Beng and his biographer, Felicia Lin
8:30pm Audience Q&A with Su Beng (translation will be provided)
9:00pm Screening of the trailer of documentary film, Almost Home: Taiwan

I will be reading an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan: The Memoirs of Su Beng (a work still in progress) and talking with Su Beng about some of his unconventional life decisions. Q&A will follow. Translation will be provided.

The event will conclude with the screening of the trailer for Almost Home: Taiwan, a road-trip documentary on Taiwanese independence and identity. In the film, filmmaker Victoria Linchong unearths her roots and shines a light on the history and culture of an island long at the center of political debate.

JOIN our facebook event: Su Beng's 2011 US Tour: Reconnecting with Taiwanese America to find out if Su Beng will be at another city near you!

Su Beng interviewed on LATWTV

2011-07-06T02:09:00.004-04:00

Watch Su Beng's interview with Samuel Lee, which was conducted mostly in Mandarin Chinese.

To learn more about LATWTV, visit their website http://www.latwtv.com/.

Su Beng's 2011 US Visit: early July dates

2011-06-30T02:22:00.003-04:00

This weekend, Su Beng will be in San Diego, CA for the Taiwanese American Conference- West Coast from July 1-4.

Appearances are in the works for him in Boston, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York City's Manhattan, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

I recently confirmed that on July 20th, 7pm-9pm he will be appearing at the New York Taiwan Center, which is located in Flushing, NY at: 137-44 Northern Blvd Flushing, New York 11354.

About Su Beng's 2011 US Visit

2011-06-28T06:15:00.007-04:00

Su Beng's U.S. Cross Country Trips

2011-06-28T06:11:00.004-04:00

In the 1980s and 90s Su Beng began making annual trips to North America, Europe and Brazil in an effort to reach out to the overseas Taiwanese community worldwide.

During his trips to the U.S., he initially traveled across country by air, and then by bus. Later he decided that driving across country would be more convenient, and at around the age of seventy-something, he got himself a driver's license, bought a used car and drove himself across the country!

Just as he had done when he fled from China back to Taiwan in 1949, Su Beng prepared a large bag of manto (a type of Chinese bread), for his cross country trip. When he escaped from the Chinese Communists and out of China at the end of World War II, he subsisted on a big bag of dehydrated manto which he had prepared for his journey.

One time the used car that Su Beng was driving across country broke down and he ended up living out of it as he waited for an auto repair shop to order the broken engine part.

Stories like this inspired a young Taiwanese American girl to write an amateur screenplay in high school about this legendary man that her father had told her about.

And there are more stories out there from the Taiwanese individuals families that befriended Su Beng and opened up their homes to him. I do hope that Su Beng has a chance to reconnect with many of these old friends during his current visit.

Su Beng plans to visit the United States in late June!

2011-06-06T00:04:00.002-04:00

I just learned that Su Beng will be making a trip to the United States from Taiwan in late June. He will be in the United States for about a month and as far as I know he is planning to visit Los Angeles, San Diego, Michigan, Buffalo, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. This is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the places that he will visit on his month long visit. This is all very exciting! The last time he visited the United States was nearly 20 years ago.

Runaway

2011-05-17T02:56:00.013-04:00

I recently completed the first draft of a book proposal for Su Beng's memoir. For those of you who don't know, a book proposal is basically an author's business plan for his/her book. Who knew that you could do this? I certainly didn't. I thought that I'd have to write the entire book before finding a publisher. That's what has to be done for works of fiction, but nonfiction is different. I had no idea how these things worked when I started this project. I simply did not know how the publishing industry works. But I've learned, and I'm still learning.

Writing this book proposal has of course required me to work on the basic nuts and bolts of the book, such as its table of contents and chapter titles. But it's more than just that. How do I tell the story of this man's life in an engaging way?

Rather than writing a straight chronology of Su Beng's life, I've decided to start off with something compelling in the first chapter which leads back to the beginning.

On Sunday I spoke to Su Beng via Skype about the first chapter. There were some details that I needed for the chapter. I also asked for his feedback, and thoughts on it.

I'm still uncovering things about his man's life. Su Beng has been writing his autobiography in Chinese. He's shared these writings with me but since I can't really read Chinese characters, I've been working with someone to read and translate them for me. In the process, I've discovered a few surprising things.

For instance, Su Beng has told me that he left for Japan during what would have been his fifth year in middle school, the year he was to graduate. Also, his choice to study politics and economics at Waseda University in Tokyo, was against the expectations of his family, who had expected him to study something more practical.

But there's more to the story. Su Beng had actually planned to secretly run away from home to Japan. He was all packed and prepared; he had bought a large luggage trunk for the trip, and as he waited at the boat terminal in Keelung, he was spotted by a relative who also happened to be there. Seeing Su Beng there alone with this huge piece of luggage, it was obvious that he was running off without the consent of his family, so the relative intervened and called Su Beng's family. Su Beng's mother insisted that he come home, but it was his grandmother who said that they should let him go; she realized that Su Beng had made up his mind to go and that there was nothing that she or anyone else could do to stop him. And so she gave him her blessing to go and it was her, Su Beng's grandmother, that paid for his tuition and monthly allowance while he was at Waseda.

Part V: The challenges of the ART’s limited resources

2011-05-12T03:53:00.000-04:00

An Interview with Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART)

FL: How did you get the permit to set up a base in front of the Legislative Yuan?

PT: At the beginning of the sit-in, we had to fight against the police department for our rights to freedom of speech and expression, and to be on the street. They randomly issued us fines of NT$30,000 based on sanitary violations. In 2009 the fines totaled NT$840,000. We have convinced them through our disciplined action that we are practicing a nonviolent struggle. We also asked DPP city councilpersons and representatives to help by exerting pressure on the city police department and on the Legislative Yuan, respectively. More importantly, we have received support from everyday people. Taiwanese people have donated money to pay off the fines.

Gradually, the police department came to a mutual understanding with us and we got a permit from the city government which required paying a deposit of NT$30,000 into an account of the Taipei City government for a permit to stay on the street for two days. These funds were refunded to us almost 45 days later.

FL: So is the NT$30,000 deposit something separate and different than the NT$30,000 of fines for sanitary violations?

PT: Yes, they are different.

We now must pay NT$660,000 so that we can have permit to stay on the street continuously without any disruption. The amount of NT$660,000 is calculated on the base of a 45-day period.

FL: Has the ART paid or raised enough money to entirely paid the NT$660,000 fee? Will there be any further fees since the ART has been staging a sit-in for over 900 days? Will there be any further fees that the ART has to pay for a continuous sit-in?

PT: The fee is required by Taipei City Government regulations. We had a fund raising dinner last year. Most of the money raised has been used to meet this regulation requirement. However, we have become short for daily operational funds. We believe that the KMT is using the tactics of sucking up our monetary resources in order to push us away from the continuous street sit-in. We do not know what kind of fees or fines are to be paid under any accusations from the police department in the future. We are determined to continue the street sit-in in order to accumulate sufficient momentum for all reforms of the KMT system in the interest of Taiwan’s citizens.

FL: What sorts of expenses does the ART have now? What will people's donations to the ART be used for?

PT: We have one part-time and one full-time employee, rent an office for receiving telephones and mails, a small warehouse for storage, and offer free lunch boxes to volunteer workers and participants at the sit-in. Most of the money has been spent on the protest activities to prepare direct marketing materials, booklets, posters, etc. Sometimes, there are expenses to run an advertisement in a newspaper to disseminate rally information, which takes a chunk of our limited resources. Often we send text messages to supporters inviting them to attend flash rallies. The costs of sending these text messages have accumulated to a monthly fee that was beyond our expectations.

FL: If people would like to support the work that the ART is doing where can they send their donations?

PT: We certainly welcome donations. We do need the financial support of our friends as we work to promote awareness about the fight for human rights and democracy in Taiwan.

Anyone who wants to support the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan can wire their funds to:

E.Sun Commercial Bank, Ltd. Taipei, Taiwan (SWIFT Code: ESUNTWTP), Account No.: 0532-940-006394, payable to title of Alliance of Reference for Taiwan.

Any assistance is highly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our work to achieve democracy and freedom in Taiwan.

Part IV: The work of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan

2011-05-11T00:50:00.008-04:00

At the Wednesday night seminars attendees sing these unofficial anthems of Taiwan: Formosa Taiwan (台灣翠青)- at the beginning and Ocean Country (海洋國家)- at the end.

An Interview with Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART)

FL: What are some of the regular activities happening at the base in front of the Legislative Yuan?

PT: In the first two years of the sit-in, many of our protests were directed at the KMT regime, who allowed officials to behave irresponsibly. After the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was defeated in the 2008 presidential election, the ART took on the role of opposing the KMT and encouraging the Taiwanese to fight on an individual basis.

After the DPP regained its strength, we took on the role of educating the public about civil rights and nonviolent struggle. Every Wednesday night, we offer a “Taiwanese Self-Liberation Movement Seminar” at the base for the public. Prominent community leaders and scholars are invited to present their ideas and to encourage citizens to engage in public affairs. Su Beng has been one of our speakers. At the base, we also receive volunteers who want to sign-up, petitions against injustice policies, donations for charities and appointments for discussions.

FL: What are these volunteers signing up for? Are people signing up to be volunteers of ART?

PT: People sign up to be volunteers of ART. Some people from other cities come to Taipei to talk to me and the volunteers help to make these appointments. The subjects of discussions range in a full spectrum. We also make appointments for invited speakers.

FL: What are some of the Alliances current projects?

PT: One of the major projects of the ART is to share the writings and thoughts about nonviolent struggle by Dr. Gene Sharp of Harvard University and the Albert Einstein Institution. His writings and thought are rooted in the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi in India and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the USA.

We offer lectures, seminars, speeches and forums to anyone interested in this subject. There have even been discussion groups of nonviolent struggle formed on the Internet. Civil rights organizations are especially encouraged to focus on local issues.

In order to quickly disseminate information about nonviolent struggles, a facebook group has been formed for general discussion. When local issues such as the government’s forceful collection farmer’s lands, and abuse of kids in schools, have surfaced, the Internet is an efficient way to distribute the information. We invite Civil rights organizations to participate in our programs.

As the result of forceful seizure of farmers' lands, the government reclaims the titles of the lands first and then rents the land to groups who want to develop the land. Usually the farmers’ are only paid for their lands at cost, which is far less than the market price. If a farmer does not agree on the price, the money offered by the government after seizing his land will be deposited in a bank account under supervision of a court. The farmer's house or building would then be torn down and the farmer would be kicked off his land.

One of the ART’s special projects is to create the “Taiwan Justice Action Church” in cooperation with the Taiwan Presbyterian Church. We call this church a “Street Church” that will give prayer services on the street and open Sunday services at the Taipei 28 Memorial Park in Taipei City and the Taichung Park in Taichung City. Also, the church is intended to provide prayers and services when the police show up to break up a crowd of protesters.

FL: What are some of the social movements/protests that the Alliance is currently involved in?

PT: We have assumed the leading responsibility for the nonviolent struggle against the ROC system. There are so many social movements in Taiwan on topics such as environmental protection issues, indigenous people rights, and judicial reform, etc. If there is already a group taking the lead on a particular issue, we will be there to give our support. If not, then we will take the lead. We want to demonstrate that nonviolent struggle is a realistic alternative and strategy instead of a military struggle against an oppressive system.

FL: What are some of the more notable rallies/protests that the Alliance has participated in?

PT: We successfully used nonviolent actions to put pressure on the Legislative Yuan to force KMT member Lee Ching-An (李慶安) to resign from her post after about 300 days of denying that she holds a US passport and the parliament’s refusal to take any actions on this issue.

We took the lead in organizing a major protest against the KMT’s passage of the Economical Corporation Framework Agreement, ECFA in the Legislative Yuan and organized many protests against visits of Chinese Communist envoy in different cities.

Some other notable rallies/protests have included environmental protection rallies against the Kuo-Kuang Industrial Development Project in a Chunghwa County wetland and anti-nuclear plant rallies after Japan's recent 311 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Also, on the 3rd day of each month, we call on people to show up in front of the Tuchung detention center in a show of support for former President Chen Shui-bian and his judicial rights.

FL: What are some of the Alliance's accomplishments?

PT: I would have to admit that the accomplishments of ART are not yet very apparent. But I see that my fellow Taiwanese have become more confident in expressing their opinions publicly. I feel that support from the public has been strong enough for us to remain on the street for more than 900 days. We will continue focusing on educating people in Taiwan about nonviolent struggle through our actions and the use of technology.

FL: What is the sit-in meant to accomplish?

PT: I believe that when every Taiwanese person is able to enjoy the rights of a free citizen, then a real democratic system has been accomplished. The sit-in is to demonstrate our rights to freedom of expression in a nonviolent way on the street.

It serves as a base to distribute the information about nonviolent struggle and it is also a symbolic defiance against the oppressive ROC system. We call for reform of Referendum Act and the Electoral System of Legislative Yuan, and abolishment of the Parade and Assembly Act.

FL: Are there people stationed at the "base" in front of the Legislative Yuan every day?

PT: We have volunteers signed up for duties at the base on daily basis. We hand out booklets to promote democracy and civil rights and receive donations. We even served as collection center for donated goods after typhoon disasters. Volunteers are at the base every day, 24 hours around the clock.

UPDATE as of May 14: The "nonviolent struggle" facebook discussion group that Dr. Tsay mentioned in this interview can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/home.php?sk=group_165362803517243

For those interested in participating, the discussions have been conducted in Chinese.

NEXT: Part V The challenges of the ART’s limited resources

Part III: Beyond 900 days

2011-05-10T02:58:00.006-04:00

The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan sit-in base stationed in front of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, Taiwan

An Interview with Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART)

FL: How many people are now involved with running the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan?

PT: It is difficult for me to give an accurate number of participants. It is a long term protest. My supporters mostly come from the middle class and lower class Taiwanese workers. They cannot be on the street with me every day. However, whenever there’s been an immediate call for action in response to a current issue, usually about 100 citizens will show up in a flash protest, at a designated site in Taipei City. We believe that these protests and demonstrations, which are exercised with the discipline of nonviolent action, are well received in the community. We encourage those who share the same beliefs of nonviolent struggle to organize themselves locally. On a daily basis, we have about 20 volunteers managing routine business. Currently, there are about 10 contact points in different cities.

FL: Are any similar long-term protests happening in other cities (in Taiwan)? Has the ART organized action in other cities? Which cities?

PT: There has also been a long-term street protest in Kaohsiung City, although it is not as well organized as the ART. We keep close contacts with that group and other smaller groups in other cities, such as Taichung, Tainan, Taoyuang, and Pintong.

FL: How long is the sit-in, in front of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei going to last? Is it running indefinitely? What would have to happen to make the sit-in end?

PT: We have committed ourselves to continue this sit-in until the disintegration of the ROC system in Taiwan. It is the system which is the culprit, and it is responsible for all injustice in Taiwan, regardless of which political party is in power.

Although having the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration in power may improve the situation, the pains suffered from a foreign occupying regime, namely the ROC, will not disappear until a new Constitution has formed. We have resolved to carry this civil rights movement until we achieve our ultimate goal of establishing a real democratic system in Taiwan.

The base of this sit-in is a civil rights education center, an action planning center and a sort of community center for those who believe in democracy.

FL: There is a "Senior Revolution Army" stationed at the ART sit-in base. How is this group different or related to the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan?

PT: With an understanding and plan to exercise a nonviolent struggle against an oppressive system, namely the ROC in Taiwan, we also have to prepare strategies for all possible future scenarios.

The “Senior Revolutionary Army” consists of retired seniors who are free from family responsibilities. They have volunteered to safeguard the interests of Taiwan in the worst case scenario. We plan to fight, through nonviolent action, in the case of a Chinese Communist invasion or the KMT’s refusal to transfer power after losing a presidential campaign, even if this means sacrificing our lives in the worst case scenario. The "Senior Revolution Army" is a branch of the ART. There are several overseas Taiwanese individuals who have volunteered to join this "army" too.

FL: What is the goal of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan? Has the goal of the Alliance changed from the time it was first formed to now?

PT: We have called for changes and better laws since our protest on day one, as I have mentioned previously. The goals of the ART have not been and will not be changed.

The Kuomintang (KMT) regime has not felt threatened enough to take counter-actions to the ART. In other words, the number of people protesting is not sufficiently large enough for KMT regime to feel threatened. The KMT has not felt threatened by the actions of the ART, so they have not changed any laws.

The KMT has not committed acts as they used to do under martial law, i.e. by killing any political opponents. Under the Kuomintang’s rule, martial law was declared (1949-1987). During the martial law era, if the KMT felt threatened by the actions of a political dissent, such as speaking out publicly, the publishing of an opinion article, or associating with other dissents, they killed these political dissents. When Professor Chen, Wen-cheng (陳文成) of Carnegie Mellon University, visited his parents in Taiwan in 1981, he was murdered for his assistance in collecting money from supporters of political dissents of the Kaohsiung Incident of 1979.

We believe that once every single Taiwanese is able to enjoy full civil rights, the illegitimacy of ROC regime in Taiwan will have no place to hide. The ultimate goal of the ART is to disintegrate the ROC system, and to call for a new Constitution for Taiwan as a sovereign state. The reason for that is we have concluded that the ROC government is not one for people, by people, and of people.

I say all of this because the KMT has turned down petitions with signatures of more than 100 thousand people (as required by current referendum law), and which were reviewed three times by a Review Committee.

FL: You have alluded to referendum requirements in Taiwan. Could you explain/clarify the requirements for a referendum to be brought forth in Taiwan? Could you also explain the role of the Review Committee?

PT: There are four steps required before a referendum can be held. First, a referendum petition has to have 5/1000 signatures of total eligible voters to initiate the motion.

[Interviewer’s Note: the population of Taiwan is approximately 23 million, which includes non-eligible voters.]

Next, the signatures will be examined by the Central Electoral Commission for validity. Third, the motion with validated signatures will be discussed by the Referendum Review Committee under the Executive Yuan, in which all 21 members are appointed by Kuomintang (KMT). Fourth, if the motion is passed through the Review Committee, the motion needs to gather 5/100 signatures of total eligible voters to hold a referendum.

For example, a petition of referendum on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) has been initiated three times, the first time was by DPP and the last two times was by the Taiwan Solidarity Union party (TSU). All three have been turned down by the KMT controlled Review Committee which has used all kinds of absurd reasons. Not all 21 Committee members were present at the meetings. But as long as more than half of the committee members were present at meeting, they voted and half of them voted to run down the referendum motion. Effectively, the end result is that about 15 people have completely blocked the will of more than a 100 thousand people. The TSU has appealed this case to the Higher Executive Court.

NEXT: Part IV The work of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan

Part II: Why a 900+ day sit-in?

2011-05-08T21:02:00.005-04:00

An Interview with Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART)

FL: Recent photos of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan base indicate that a sit-in has been going on now for over 900 days. How did this all get started?

PT: It started with my hunger strike on October 25, 2008 after a rally of about 200 thousand people in front of the Presidential Palace. It has been more than 900 days since then.

My hunger strike was in protest of Ma’s decision to permit a Chinese Communist envoy to visit Taiwan. If the Taiwanese were to let this go without any public objections, Ma and the Chinese Communists would have succeeded in confusing the international community by creating the impression that Taiwan is a part of China. I first called for a referendum on Ma’s policy. In his 2008 presidential campaign, he had openly promised that all 23 million Taiwanese would be able to decide the future of Taiwan.

While I was on hunger strike, I noticed that even the Legislative Yuan, which was controlled by the Kuomintang (KMT), couldn’t do anything to stop Ma’s policy due to a well-manipulated electoral system. As the street protests continued, the police tried to silence us forcefully. However, we believe that the hope of democracy should continue and that we should be there to guard it.

FL: Who was the Chinese Communist envoy that you are referring to? What’s his name? Could you tell me or give me examples of how the police tried to forcefully silence you and the protesters?

PT: His name is Chen Yun-lin (陳雲林) and he is the Deputy Director of Cross-Strait Relation Association of China.

The first time Chen Yun-lin came to Taiwan, the police used brute force on a few people when they tried to show the Republic of China (ROC) flags in front of Mr. Chen. People were physically injured and sent to the hospital for treatment. The ROC flags were confiscated by the police and thrown into the street garbage cans. A music store located near the Welcome Dinner restaurant, where the owner played Taiwanese songs over the big speakers was forced by the police to shut its doors while customers were still inside the shop. At that time, I was on hunger strike and not personally involved in those protests. The police did not want to let Chen see any ROC flags and kept shifting protesters far away from Chen, giving him the impression that there were no demonstrations at all. They moved transportation, including pedestrians, many blocks away from wherever Mr. Chen was.

FL: Why was the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan formed?

PT: We are under the superficially democratic system of the Republic of China, which is the Chinese Nationalist Government (aka Kuomintang) now exiled in Taipei (aka Chinese Taipei). This government has installed many barriers within the Referendum Act, which severely limit citizens in exercising their referendum rights. Additionally, the electoral system was designed so that the ruling Kuomintang regime will forever be in the majority and able to dominate the parliament. Even worse is the existence of the Parade and Assembly Act, which suppresses freedom of speech.

[NOTE: You can learn more about the Parade and Assembly Act and the debate over it here: http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=120135&CtNode=423]

FL: Professor Tsay, what is your role in the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan? Are you the founder of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan?

PT: I am not the sole founder of the ART but one of many founders and I now serve as the Chairman of the ART. The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART) was founded in response to my calls “to return people’s civil rights” and after my hunger strike on October 25, 2008, which lasted for 7 days in front of Legislative Yuan. My hunger strike was in protest of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) policy of selling out Taiwan to Communist China. At the time, I was the President of the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP). Many Pro-Taiwan independence organizations, such as the Alliance of Taiwanese Teachers, Taiwan Society, Taiwan North, South, and Central Societies, Taiwan Hakka Society, and Su Beng’s Independent Taiwan Society, etc. came out to back me up and together we founded the ART.

FL: Could you give me some examples of how President Ma has sold out Taiwan?

PT: He promised in his 2008 presidential campaign, “that the future of Taiwan will be determined by the 23 million people of Taiwan.” After he took office, he opened the doors to Communist China by signing the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between China and Taiwan and permitting an envoy from China to visit major cities in Taiwan despite people’s protests. Ma has said that Taiwan is part of China under current Republic of China (ROC) Constitution and he will pursue reunification with China eventually.

*To learn more about the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (aka ART), visit their website: http://taiwanra.blogspot.com/

NEXT: Part III Beyond 900 days

Part I: Su Beng, the ART and Senior Revolution Army

2011-05-06T00:06:00.018-04:00

Su Beng speaking at the ART sit-in base
For six Wednesday evenings from March 9-April 13, Su Beng has spoken on the topic of Taiwan's nationalism at the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan’s (ART) sit-in base, which is located on the street, outside of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei.

Members of the ART have been stationed outside of the Legislative Yuan for over 900 days now, since October 25, 2008. On that day there was rally with about 200 thousand people in front of the Presidential Palace. The rally happened before the scheduled visit of senior Chinese Communist envoy, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) to Taiwan. Protesters were criticizing President Ma Ying-Jeou (馬英九) for allowing the visit, making concessions and moving too fast in relaxing restrictions on trade and investment with China. Many of the protestors wore T-shirts bearing the logo “Defend Taiwan.”

[NOTE: It was also around this time, in November 2008, that the “Wild Strawberry Student Movement” began in response to police crackdowns on protestors of Chen Yunlin’s visit. It lasted until around June 2009. For more information about the student movement, consult these websites:
http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Strawberry_student_movement]

After the October 25th rally, Professor Tsay, the President of the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP), initiated a hunger strike at the front gate of the Legislative Yuan. Professor Tsay’s hunger strike lasted seven days and it led to the founding of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan. Many Pro-Taiwan independence organizations, such as the Alliance of Taiwanese Teachers, Taiwan Society, Taiwan North, South, and Central Societies, Taiwan Hakka Society, and Su Beng’s Independent Taiwan Society, etc. came out to support Professor Tsay and together they all founded the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan. The “Senior Revolution Army” is a branch of the ART that has taken on the main responsibility for running and staffing the ART sit-in base.

Through one of my contacts, I’ve been able to interview Professor Tsay about the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan, and Su Beng’s lectures and involvement with the ART and “Senior Revolution Army.”

I’ve been in correspondence with Professor Tsay and my in depth interview with him will appear in 5 parts. In Part I, I’ve asked Professor Tsay about Su Beng and his involvement with the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan.

Part I: Su Beng, the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan and the "Senior Revolution Army"

An Interview with Professor Tsay, Chairman of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan (ART)

FL: What is Su Beng's involvement with the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan or the" Senior Revolution Army"?

PT: Su Beng is one of the founders of the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan. He has repeatedly pointed out the importance of maintaining a sit-in base on the street as an action to implement strategic thinking and to courageously demonstrate defiance against the oppressive Republic of China (ROC) system. We, the ART and other organizations, regard Su Beng as a pioneering authority of the Taiwanese National Self-liberation Movement.

[NOTE: In Part III of my interview with Professor Tsay he talks about work of the “Senior Revolution Army”]

FL: How many lectures will Su Beng be doing at the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan sit-in base? Is his lecture series ongoing, as long as the Alliance is sitting in front of the Legislative Yuan?

PT: Su Beng has given six lectures on the topic of Taiwan’s nationalism and revolutionary strategies from March 9-April 13. He believes in the power of people and in the value of speaking to the public in these seminars. Su Beng is a role model and has promised to attend seminars as long as his health permits and to encourage the public to learn from speakers invited by the ART. He attended the ART Wednesday seminars on April 20 and 27, not as a speaker but as an audience member.

He wants to attend as a participant and interact with everyday people as much as possible. He sings along with everyone when we sing our “national anthem” Formosa Taiwan 台灣翠青 (which was composed by 蕭泰然 and written by 鄭兒玉). This song has been used as a sort of anthem by numerous Taiwanese organizations whose objective is to build a new sovereign Taiwan. We promoted this song as an unofficial anthem when I served as the President of the Taiwan Association of University Professors in 2007 through the Taiwan National Congress (TNC). Another song popularly recognized as an anthem is a song called Ocean Country 海洋國家 (composed and written by 王明哲). Both songs have been quite popular amongst the general public. We decided to give them wider recognition by singing Formosa Taiwan at the beginning of the seminar and Ocean Country at the end. After this we usually close by shouting slogans of “Long Live Taiwan Independence” and “Long Live Taiwan Nationalism.”

The Wednesday seminars are intended to be a long-term project. We intend to bring this seminar series to different cities and towns in the future. At this time there are no future dates planned for Su Beng to speak at the ART base. This is always something that is open for consideration.

FL: Could you tell me, and my English blog readers, more specifically what Su Beng has lectured about?

PT: There are many important points that Su Beng has repeatedly emphasized in his talks, for example:

a. Taiwan nationalism has risen naturally from the evolution of Taiwan’s society. It has not been made up for some artificial purpose. No one can deny the existence of Taiwan nationalism; it is there.

The theory of Taiwan nationalism is also a useful tool for one to clearly analyze Taiwan's social problems. Taiwan nationalism is one of the core elements which will unify the different factions within the Taiwan independence movement.

b. A theory without actions is useless and an action without a theory is just experimental.

c. The main goals of the Taiwanese should be to liberate themselves from the ROC’s colonial system and to achieve national independence for Taiwan.

d. Skillfully planned strategies and tactics are required to accomplish these goals.

e. Nonviolent struggle requires discipline to be successful.

f. An oppressive system must be overthrown first before one can build a sovereign state.

g. He believes that Taiwan will definitely become an independent sovereign state as it follows the global tide of democratization.

FL: What have you learned from Su Beng’s lectures? What have people who have attended Su Beng's lectures learned from him?

PT: In addition to the ideas that I’ve mentioned in my previous answer, I have also learned that at the age of 94 Su Beng is indeed a rare character in Taiwan independence movement. He stands firm in defending his theory of Taiwan nationalism from criticism, just as he did 30 years ago when I first met him. His resilience and focus on grass-roots implementation of his theory deserve a lot of admiration.

Many people who have come to his lectures have felt his enthusiasm and passion on even cold nights. He has asked the audience to prepare themselves well to serve for our motherland, Taiwan. He is an example of how real action starts from oneself.

FL: What have people's reactions to Su Beng been?

PT: Su Beng has been regarded by most people as a lonely fighter against the oppressive Republic of China (ROC) system all his life. He chooses to take the so-called “outside of the system” approach to fighting for Taiwan independence, knowing that in doing so, he will face a lack of resources at times. He also encourages people to respect those who have taken another approach “to work within the system” (i.e. to work within the existing governmental framework) as long as they share the same strategic objectives. It is difficult for me to describe what people’s reaction to him have been. I have observed that whenever he arrives at the base, the entire crowd usually stands up to welcome him.

Su Beng and Professor Tsay at the ART sit-in base at a Wednesday night seminar

FL: How do you know Su Beng? How long have you known him?

PT: I met Su Beng about 30 years ago when I was a Ph.D. student at Cornell University in the USA. Taiwan was still under martial law and the rule of the ROC. I returned to National Taiwan University as a Civil Engineering Professor in 1990. After he returned from Japan to Taiwan in 1993, we ran into each other from time to time at rallies or protests. He is a role model to most of us. Since the first time we met, I have admired him for being the first one to emphasize the importance of Taiwan nationalism and as a persistent fighter for his beliefs all his life. Nowadays, I am glad to observe that his theory and the application of Taiwan nationalism are being accepted more broadly than ever before.

FL: Is there anything else that you'd like to share about the Alliance of the Referendum for Taiwan, or about Su Beng?

PT: The participants of the ART, including myself see the reasoning behind Su Beng’s theory of Taiwan nationalism and will try very hard to work side by side with him. We believe that Taiwan deserves status as a sovereign state and that this can be achieved if Taiwanese people work together and believe in Taiwan nationalism.

We are promoting the knowledge (i.e. theory) and technology (i.e. method of action) of nonviolent struggle developed by Dr. Gene Sharp at Albert Einstein Institution, which are comparable to what Su Beng has been teaching. It is quite evident that although both theories developed from different cultural backgrounds they both show that the convergence of people’s power leads to freedom, independence and democracy.

NEXT: Part II Why a 900+ day sit-in?

Su Beng speaks on Taiwanese National Liberation (April 2011)

2011-04-16T02:59:00.001-04:00

A promotional poster for Su Beng's April 6, 2011 lecture

A photo of Su Beng lecturing on April 6, 2011

The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan's base near the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, April 6, 2011

YouTube video of Su Beng's April 6, 2011 lecture

A promotional poster for Su Beng's April 13, 2011 lecture

A photo of Su Beng lecturing on April 13, 2011

The Alliance for Referendum of Taiwan's sit-in has been going on for 901 days

YouTube video of Su Beng's April 13, 2001 lecture

Su Beng speaks on Taiwanese National Liberation (March 2011)

2011-04-15T00:55:00.008-04:00

Su Beng has been lecturing weekly on the topic of the Taiwanese National Liberation. This lecture series has been organized by the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan, which has set up a base near the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. His lectures are being held on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. Su Beng's first lecture was held on March 9, 2011. Below are photos and YouTube videos from Su Beng's March 9, 16, 23 & 30 lectures.

A promotional poster of Su Beng's lecture on March 9, 2011

A photo of Su Beng lecturing on March 9, 2011

The base set up The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan near the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, March 9, 2011

YouTube video of Su Beng's March 9, 2011 lecture

A promotional poster of Su Beng's lecture on March 16, 2011

A photo of Su Beng lecturing on March 16, 2011

YouTube video of Su Beng's March 16, 2011 lecture

A promotional poster of Su Beng's lecture on March 23, 2011

Su Beng at his March 23, 2011 lecture

Su Beng signs a copy of his book Taiwan's 400 Years of History, March 23, 2011

YouTube video of Su Beng's March 23, 2011 lecture

A promotional poster of Su Beng's lecture on March 30, 2011

Su Beng at his March 30, 2011 lecture

YouTube video of Su Beng's March 30, 2011 lecture

Commemorating 2-28 64 years later

2011-03-01T05:11:00.013-05:00

Su Beng returned to Taiwan from Japan on February 23. On February 28th, his Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade participated in a parade commemorating the 64th anniversary of the February 28th massacre in Taipei. The parade was organized by the Taiwan 228 Care Association and the Taiwan National Alliance. The parade will started at 2:28pm, passing by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters before arriving at Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office.

When a woman was arrested for selling cigarettes without a license on February 28, 1947, this sparked protests. The Taiwanese were dissatisfied with the Kuomintang's corruption and repression. Authorities responded with violent crackdowns. They rounded up and executed the intellectually elite, such as doctors, lawyers, journalists, teachers and community leaders. It is estimated that 18,000 to 28,000 people were murdered. Even more were arrested, tortured, murdered and disappeared during the decades that followed, which is referred to as Taiwan's White Terror Era. To learn more about 2-28, visit "2-28" remembered on www.taiwandc.org

Su Beng sits atop one of the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade trucks waiting to set off.

The banner on the side of this Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade truck reads: "Changes and revolution are happening all around the world and the Middle East. May the Taiwanese people stand up to resist colonial rule."

The message on this banner is: "The tragedy and sacrifice that resulted from the 228 incident is proof that Taiwan is not a part of China."

1 minute video pitch about Su Beng for TEDxEast

2010-10-24T19:26:00.003-04:00

Beyond all that Su Beng has contributed to the fight for Taiwan's independence, I believe that his personal life story offers a powerful message that I want to share with the world.

Recently, I learned that I could enter for a chance to be selected to give a 3 minute talk at TEDxEast in New York, on November 11, 2010. All I had to do was to submit a 1 minute video pitch by October 24, 2010. It certainly wasn't quite as easy as it sounds, but I'm happy to announce that I've submitted an entry which you can view here:

TEDxEast brings the spirit of the TED conference to New York City- hosting some of the world's most fascinating thinkers, doers and teachers to inspire attendees to create greater impact with their ideas. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design.

The Noodle Shop That Could

2010-10-06T16:29:00.024-04:00

These days, Su Beng is now in Tokyo trying to turn his noodle shop’s business around. But back in its heyday (in the 1960’s and 70s) it was quite the cash cow.

The address of Su Beng's noodle shop (2005). Photo by F. Lin.
Su Beng used the noodle shop's earnings to to fund the underground Taiwan independence movement. He recruited activists for his underground network, which was a sort of continuation of the Taiwan Army Corps (the group he'd organized to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek in the 1950s). In 1952 he had fled from Taiwan not only to avoid arrest, but also to protect the operatives of this group. At the time, Taiwan was still under martial law, which lasted until 1987. The February 28, 1947 (2-28) massacre, marked the beginning of this extremely oppressive period of time in Taiwan’s history. Protests had erupted over the brutal beating and arrest of a woman peddling cigarettes and the killing of a bystander. In response, the Chinese Nationalists cracked down on the people of Taiwan and 18,000 to 28,000 people were murdered. During the period of time which followed, known as the White Terror Era, Taiwanese people were prohibited from speaking their native Aborigine, Holo Taiwanese and Hakka languages, and political dissidents were jailed at a penitentiary on Green Island, located off the eastern coast of Taiwan. There were even assassinations of politically active Taiwanese in the U.S. and Taiwan, some of which happened in the 1980s. (To read more about 2-28, click here.)

In the 1960s Su Beng began inviting fledgling activists in Taiwan to meet with him in Japan. He'd then arrange and pay for each individual's travel expenses and accommodations. He'd even provide them with a modest allowance during their stay. Activists would undergo training at the noodle shop with Su Beng. His teachings involved discussions about why Taiwan should be independent and tactics for committing acts of urban guerrilla warfare- designed to destabilize the authoritarian rule of the Chiang regime (aka the Chinese Nationalist government) in Taiwan. In 1972, “The Revolutionary Army of Taiwan Independence” blew up railways in Taipei county, overturned military vehicles in Kaohsiung county and burned a factory of the Railway Bureau in Taipei.

Profits from the noodle shop were also used for bribes needed in order to obtain and smuggle out the Chinese Nationalists’ classified economic and statistical data; this data was reprinted and discussed in Su Beng’s Chinese language, Taiwan’s 400 Years of History (which was published in 1980). These statistics showed how the Chinese Nationalists’ (aka Kuomintang) civil servant examination system and procedures discriminated against the Taiwanese.

To read more about this topic in one of my previous blog posts click here.

After Su Beng left Japan to return to Taiwan in 1993, he set up the Taiwan Independence Action motorcade in 1994. The noodle shop's earnings paid for the purchase of a fleet of taxis and "propaganda trucks." Su Beng even provided the drivers of the taxis and vehicles gas allowance money.

A Taiwan Independence Action motorcade propaganda truck leads a string of taxis celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Taiwan Independence Action motorcade in Taipei, Taiwan (April 3, 2005). Photo by F. Lin.

For those of you wondering about the Taiwan Independence Action motorcade, I’m reposting quote from one of my previous posts to explain:

”The Taiwan Independence Action (獨立台灣會) motorcade has been making its rounds every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, for more than 10 years, since April 1994. Since returning to Taiwan in 1993, Su Beng has cultivated a grass roots following amongst taxi drivers and in 1994 Su Beng began organizing a group of taxis and trucks that form the weekly Taiwan Independence Action motorcade. On those afternoons, Su Beng himself would stand on a truck painted taxi cab yellow, with the words “獨立台灣會” or “Taiwan Independence Action” emblazoned on the side; he would speak over a megaphone and there would also be about 10 taxis in the procession. For nearly 2 hours, they would make their rounds around Taipei city and Taipei county.”

At present, the Taiwan Independence Action motorcade makes its weekly rounds in 3 major cities in Taiwan- Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Taipei.

Photos of Su Beng working at his noodle shop in Tokyo

2010-10-05T15:40:00.008-04:00

Here are some photos of ninety-one year old Su Beng working at his noodle shop in Tokyo, which were recently posted on his facebook page!

The Genesis of Su Beng’s Tokyo Noodle Shop- PART III

2010-10-05T14:40:00.008-04:00

With no one else selling Northern Chinese style dishes, the food stall was an instant success. In about 3 years time Su Beng had saved up enough money to buy a 2 story building which is where he opened the New Gourmet (新珍味) noodle shop. And so the food stall was closed. For years, Su Beng had been sending money earned from his food stall and later his noodle shop back into Taiwan to fund underground activists in Taiwan. Years later, in the early 1960s, 3 additional stories were built, making the building 5 stories tall.

It was here in the noodle shop that he wrote the Japanese language version of Taiwan’s 400 Years of History (which was published in 1962) and the Chinese language version (which was published in 1980). At first, he'd get up early in the morning to go to the library before opening the noodle shop to do some research. Libraries in Japan turned out to be a wealth of information on Taiwan, which had been a colony of Japan from 1895-1945. He would steal away some time during the day when business was slow to write the mammoth book.

"Su Beng" was the pen name he choose to write the book under to keep his identity secret. The character 史 (Su/Shi), means history and 明 (Beng/Ming), means clear. Taken together, they can be interpreted to mean to "clear history" or "clarify history." Later when word leaked out about his identity and the book he was writing, he had to write the book in secrecy. Ever since then, this nom de guerre seems to be the one that has stuck.

Su Beng’s 2000 page plus Chinese language version of Taiwan’s 400 Years of History. Photo courtesy of Su Beng.

NEXT: Learn how profits from the New Gourmet noodle shop paid for bribes to obtain the Chinese Nationalists' classified documents, funded activities of Su Beng’s underground network of Taiwan independence activists and their organized acts of urban guerrilla warfare.

The Genesis of Su Beng’s Tokyo Noodle Shop- PART II

2010-10-04T04:40:00.012-04:00

Su Beng decided that he’d make a living by opening up a food stall. Initially he thought about selling Taiwanese dishes. After all, the Japanese had colonized Taiwan for 50 years. But then he realized that there would be a larger market for Northern Chinese cuisine since less than three million Japanese had been repatriated from Taiwan after the colonial occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), but over ten million Japanese had been repatriated from Northern China. During World War II, many Japanese had been stationed in Northeast China and Su Beng thought that they surely must have missed many of the delicious Northern Chinese dishes that they'd had there. So he set up a food stall, selling Northern Chinese style dumplings and fried noodles near the Ikebukuro train station in Tokyo.

The food stall was a small space. Its footprint measured just 3 tatami mats. In Japan, square footage is commonly described in terms of tatami mats, which are commonly used as flooring in Japan. Tokyo tatami mats are said to measure .88 m by 1.76 m.

More than just a source of income for Su Beng and his partner Hiraga, the food stall was also a roof over their heads. Everyday they opened for business around 10-11am and closed up around 1 or 2am the next morning. With only running water, they'd use the washroom facilities at the nearby Ikebukuro train station and public bathes to bathe at the end of their long, greasy work days. At night, they slept in the stall's upper crawl space.

Ikebukuro train station (2005). Photo by F. Lin.

The Genesis of Su Beng’s Tokyo Noodle Shop- PART I

2010-10-03T07:59:00.010-04:00

This is the first of three parts explaining the genesis of Su Beng’s Tokyo noodle shop- which he is currently trying to rescue and revive.

When Su Beng's plot to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek was discovered in 1952, he was forced to escape out of martial law era Taiwan by stowing away in a ship exporting bananas to Japan. Though he survived the 5 day trip, and got safely off and away from the boat, he was later arrested for illegally entering the country.

After serving about 3-4 months, in a Kobe detention center, Su Beng was to be repatriated to Taiwan. But somehow "fate intervened" and when Su Beng was released, he was surprised to learn that he had been granted asylum in Japan. Suddenly he had to figure out how he'd make ends meet in post-World War II Japan, which was in shambles. However he was to make a living, he first vowed that he would continue his work for the cause of Taiwan. This meant that he'd need to have the means and flexibility to do so. Having been educated in Japan (at Waseda University), it would have been relatively easy for him to find a job, but he decided that instead of being under someone else's employ, it would be be best to work for himself.

At the time, many of the Taiwanese in Japan had opened up pachinko parlors, which had proven to be highly profitable. Pachinko machines are pinball-like machines used for amusement and gambling. When this was suggested as a "business proposition" to Su Beng, he rejected the idea. Not only was he looking for a way to earn a living, but for a way to fund the fight for Taiwan's independence, and to him it somehow didn't seem right to use gambling profits to fund the cause.

A present day pachinko parlor in Tokyo, Japan (2008). Photo by Michael Maggs, Wikimedia Commons.

Serializing my posts

2010-09-09T23:57:00.020-04:00

I'm going to try to do something different here by serializing some of my posts on specific topics since I realize that people don't always have the time or attention span to read long blog posts.

Su Beng at his noodle shop in Tokyo

2010-09-01T23:53:00.004-04:00

Today I called Su Beng who is currently in Tokyo at his noodle shop in Ikebukuro. Though he needs to use a wheelchair to get around, he still manages to swim every day. He's been back there since late June, trying to reestablish his noodle shop's business. It's been tough. Business is just not the same.

After recently completing a draft of a sample chapter for his biography, I felt that I needed to talk to him to clarify a few things pertaining to the chapter. As always, he welcomed my call. His seemed to be in good spirits and his voice sounded strong.

He told me that it's pretty hot there in in Tokyo where the temperature is around 36-37 degrees Celsius, but he has no air conditioning there, just an electric fan. Being able to swim every day makes the heat a bit more bearable for him.

Sounds like he is planning to stay in Tokyo until November or December in order to try to get things up and running again at his noodle shop.

I am concerned about him being over there in the heat in his advanced age, but there is someone there looking after him. I also wonder how he can turn things around and what could possibly be done to improve the noodle shop's business.

In the coming months, I plan on having more telephone conversations with Su Beng, as I work through writing each chapter for the biography.

Swimming Upstream

2010-06-15T02:02:00.012-04:00

Su Beng has been a lot less ambulatory since he was hospitalized for kidney failure in Japan last November, but just recently, I heard from his assistant Bin Hong that he has taken up swimming in the mornings again. I am so heartened to hear this. For as long as I have known him, swimming has always been a part of his morning routine.

This man really has an amazing stamina and memory for his age. Most of my interviews with him, which were conducted at his residence in Sinjhuang, lasted nearly 6 hours. We'd start around 10:00 am, break for lunch and continue until 4:00 pm. As he talked to me about his life, he'd provide me with a historical context, effectively giving me a short history lesson in the process. I have found him to be extremely consistent as we have delved deeper into more detailed discussions of his key life experiences and many adventures. He has always been extremely generous- providing me with lunch in his home and has always accommodated my requests to meet and speak with him.

Since I have relocated to New York, we have continued to communicate via Skype and I look forward to more "virtual conversations" with him in the coming months. At times I am humbled by the magnitude of knowledge required to truly understand and tell this man's story.

In this caricature Su Beng is standing on the island of Taiwan which is surrounded by three sharks symbolized by the flags of China, the Kuomintang (aka Nationalist Chinese) party and United States of America. In his hand he wields a pen on one end and an ax on the other. The pen is one of his "weapons" to protect Taiwan; by writing Taiwan's 400 Years of History, he has awakened the political conscience of the people of Taiwan, giving them a sense of purpose and the will to fight for a free, and independent Taiwan. The ax is a weapon to kill the sharks circling Taiwan. And the globe has landed on Taiwan, symbolizing the need for the international community to keep it's eye on Taiwan. Su Beng believes that Taiwan needs more attention and support from the international community.

On May 20, 2010...

2010-05-22T12:40:00.022-04:00

The Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade (獨立台灣會) and Su Beng called for a referendum on the free trade act between Taiwan and China (aka the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement) and participated in a silent sit-in protest.

A protest to coincide with the second anniversary of President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) inauguration, was set to begin at noon in front of the Legislative Yuan on that day. Protesters planned a three day sit-in to increase pressure on the government to hold a referendum on its proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

Read more about the 5/20 protest in these Taipei Times articles:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/05/20/2003473411
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2010/05/21/2003473518

Here are some photos from that day:

The sign on this Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade truck reads:

Want freedom
Have to be independent first

The sign on the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade truck reads:

Want democracy
Have to be independent first

Finished first draft of sample chapter for Su Beng's biography!

2010-05-10T15:26:00.009-04:00

I have finished writing the first draft of an exciting sample chapter for the book proposal for the biography of Su Beng. The chapter I've chosen to highlight covers Su Beng's escape from Taiwan after his involvement in a plot to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek was discovered. In early 1952, after months of working as a laborer loading bananas onto the boats of a banana trading company, Su Beng was able to stow away in the cargo section of one of these boats en route to Japan. I've written briefly about his escape and the noodle shop that he eventually set up in Japan in a previous blog post here.

Of course I'll be sharing this first chapter with Su Beng himself and looking forward to some discussions with him over Skype about it, and other chapters that will be in the works soon.

Yesterday was the beginning of Taiwanese American Heritage week, and there's a facebook campaign going on to coincide with it. Participants are posting an image that reads "Taiwan is NOT part of China" as their profile photo to increase awareness of Taiwan's situation.

I've invited the tech-savvy 91 year old Su Beng who is on facebook to participate. So far it has generated some interesting comments and discussions for me on my facebook page.

More on Su Beng's March 14 appearance at Taiwan University

2010-05-06T01:10:00.014-04:00

Lately I've noticed some new comments from people who have visited this blog and I want to thank everyone for their interest and encouragement. It is really very much appreciated. It is always amazing to see that people are finding my blog, reading it and interested in my project to document Su Beng's life.

Below are some photos from 文輔許, which were taken at the Taiwan University event on March 14. You can see a slide show of photos from the event here: Bunhu Natea's album

Su Beng signs copies of "Crossing The Red Tide"

The March 14th event was reported on the evening news in Taiwan and you can watch it here:

Crossing The Red Tide

2010-03-10T04:00:00.014-05:00

At 9:00am on Sunday, March 14, 2010, Su Beng will be speaking at Taiwan University about his new book 紅色浪潮-封面初稿 (Crossing the Red Tide) and sharing some of his life experiences. Here's a brief translation of the above schedule of events for the day:

09:00-09:30 Registration and check-in

09:30-09:40 Opening remarks by Professor Lai (賴義雄) & Professor Chen (陳儀深) of the Taiwan Association of University Professors

09:40-11:40 Discussion panel/Paper presentation about Su Beng’s life and the Taiwan independence movement

Moderator: Professor Chen (陳儀深)
Panelists: Professor Lan (藍士博), Mr. Lin (林嘉立), Mr. Chen (張之豪), Mr. Yeh (葉紘麟), Mr. Wu (吳乃德)

11:40-13:00 Lunch break

13:00-13:30 Documentary screening

13:30-13:40 Singing performance by Wang Ming-Zhe (王明哲)

13:40-14:40 Su Beng talks about some of his life experiences

Moderator: Professor Liao (廖宜恩), Vice President of the Taiwan Association of University Professors
Panelists: Professor Liao (廖偉程), Professor Tsai (蔡丁貴), Professor Chen (張信堂), Bin Hong (敏紅, Su Beng’s assistant)

14:40-15:30 Question & answer session with Su Beng

15:30 Closing

This event is being organized by the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP)

For more information:

Call: (02)2362-8797

E-mail：taup@seed.net.tw

Register online here: www.taup.org.tw

2010-01-22T21:29:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to report that Su Beng was released from the hospital on January 20 and is now working on writing chapters for his own biography, which will be written in Chinese.

The Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade protests cross-strait talks being held with Chen Yunlin

2009-12-28T03:51:00.007-05:00

Photo: Reuters

In this photo, a demonstrator standing atop a Taiwan Independence Action motorcade (獨立台灣會) propaganda truck burns a Chinese flag in protest of the cross-strait talks being held at the Windsor Hotel in Taichung on December 22.

This photo appeared in this Taipei Times article:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2009/12/23/2003461653

Here's another related story from the Taipei Times:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2009/12/23/2003461657

Video footage of Su Beng's December 17 return to Taipei, Taiwan after being hospitalized in Tokyo, Japan

2009-12-26T21:12:00.021-05:00

This video of Su Beng's release from the hospital in Japan and return to Taiwan on December 17 begins with the following words that flash across the screen:

2009/12/17

死地要死在家鄉~台灣
獨立台灣會史明老前背返國
公投盟等本土社團桃園機場接機
晚間於立法院前舉辦燭光祈福晚會

Here is the English translation of the above:

2009/12/17

If it's my time to go, I'd rather die on the soil of my homeland- Su Beng
Su Beng, an elder of the Taiwan independence movement was greeted in the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport by the Taiwan Referendum Alliance and several Taiwan civic groups.
That night there was a candlelight vigil for Su Beng in front of the Legislative Yuan.

The video begins with shots of Su Beng being released from the hospital in Japan, and then being driven to Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport).

Back at the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport supporters awaiting Su Beng's arrival practice shouting "Long live Taiwan nationalism! Long live Taiwan independence!"

Su Beng is shown being wheeled into the Haneda Airport.

Upon arriving at the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport, Su Beng is greeted by people shouting "Long live Taiwan nationalism! Long live Taiwan independence! Su Beng Ojisan* we love you!"

Su Beng is taken by ambulance to a Taipei hospital, where he will remain for about 10 more days.

Later that night at a candlelight vigil held in front of the Legislative Yuan for Su Beng, several people assembled and the following people spoke:

Professor Tsai: We are very thankful today that Su Beng Ojisan was able to get on a plane to return to Taiwan from Japan. We made a special trip to the airport to welcome him home. Thank you for everyone’s warm welcome. The things that concern Su Beng the most are continued Taiwan nationalism and nation building. It seems as though, well, we all saw Su Beng ourselves, and he looks well. But what the news media is interested in is the timing of Su Beng's return to Taiwan. Why has Su Beng chosen to return at this particular time? Is there any reason behind this? I believe that the reason why Su Beng chose to return to Taiwan now is mainly because next week Chen Yunlin [an envoy sent by the Chinese Communist Party and chairman of China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS)] will be coming to Taiwan for a visit. In fact, several years ago, the first time Tang Su Bei [a Chinese Communist party representative] came to Taiwan for a visit, Su Beng led people in a protest of his visit. The reason [for these protests] is always the same, because Taiwan is not a part of China. Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese; Taiwan is the Taiwanese people’s Taiwan. China cannot treat Taiwan as its territory. The Chinese Communists should not think that they can just come here to check up on us as if Taiwan’s government is a part of its local government. We will not accept this sort of treatment or subordination under any circumstances. So when Tang Su Bei came to Taiwan Su Beng led people in a protest and when Lien Chan went to China he also led people in a protest. Because of Su Beng's involvement in protests of Lien Chan’s trip to China, he was recently charged with about 6 months of jail time and fined. This time, while in Japan, the hospital expenses were quite high. Su Beng doesn’t have health insurance there, so he had to pay a lot of these expenses out of pocket. Now several presidents of the North American Taiwanese Professors Association chapters are voluntarily trying to fundraise for Su Beng. If you can, offer your support in any way that you can. Today he has returned because he wants to encourage the people of Taiwan to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Bin Hong: …so much concern for Su Beng. Everyone is so happy that Ojisan has finally been able to return safely to Taiwan. He himself is also really happy too. On November 11, when Su Beng fell sick, A-diong was the only person from the Taiwan Independence Association there by his side. At that time, having encountered such situation, made one understand what it feels like to be really helpless... [looking around and being alone] without any relatives or friends by one’s side, unable to communicate- because A-diong and I can’t speak any Japanese. So at that time it was quite despondent. That first week, Su Beng’s kidney function was at a critically low level. By Taiwan’s medical standards, dialysis would have been used to treat him by the third day. But fortunately, at the time he was in Japan and over a month’s time of treatment and care [Su Beng was treated with the use of a catheter and IV], his condition is now stable. It really was… such a painfully miserable situation. It’s very fortunate that Ojisan was able to get through this hardship. I told Ojisan that there is a Taiwanese saying, “If one is able to survive such hardship then they be able to live until 120.” We want him to continue fighting for Taiwan. He’s been able to overcome such hardship and return safely to Taiwan today also because there were so many people including overseas Taiwanese who have offered their moral support. The phone kept ringing with people offering encouragement, and there were people like Professor Tsai, Mr. Chen and everyone who went there to encourage him and Freddie and a lot of other people who flew from Taiwan to Japan just to visit and offer him encouragement. It was because of this that Su Beng had the strength and will to fight to overcome this, I believe it was because of all the encouragement that Taiwanese people gave him… Really, for someone with such poor health, to have to go through something like this is so tough. Thank you everyone for your support, because of everyone’s support he has been able to get through all of this. Thank you everyone, thank you everyone.

Prayers said during the candlelight vigil:

We thank god for giving us all the opportunity today to gather here together to welcome home the most respected ninety-three year old Taiwanese Revolutionary, our Su Beng Ojisan, who has spent his life fighting for Taiwan, for independence, for nationalism, and for the Taiwanese people’s dignity. He has returned to fight for Taiwan. We will continue to follow and support his ideals of Taiwanese nationalism and the dream of building a new country Taiwan. We ask god to give use strength to deal with Chen Yunlin and Ma Ying-jeou.

At the end of the candelight vigil participants sing the song: “Taiwan Forever Green”

*Oijisan is a Japanese term which means uncle

Corrections

2009-12-23T11:39:00.003-05:00

In response to my comments, Michael Richardson of the Boston Examiner has made corrections to his recent article, Su Beng returns to a hero's welcome in Taiwan where he faces ROC jail cell.

The edited article appears here: http://www.examiner.com/x-1969-Boston-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m12d19-Su-Beng-returns-to-a-heros-welcome-in-Taiwan-where-he-faces-ROC-jail-cell

A hero's welcome

2009-12-20T05:17:00.018-05:00

Michael Richardson of the Boston Examiner has written about Su Beng's return to a hero's welcome.

Of course, as Su Beng's English Biographer, it is my duty to offer correction, clarification and comments where necessary and they appear below, after Mr. Richardson's article.

Here is Mr. Richardson's article:

Su Beng returns to a hero's welcome in Taiwan where he faces ROC jail cell:

Su Beng, Taiwan's elder champion of independence, has returned to Taiwan to a hero's welcome. The aged and ailing Su Beng had been hospitalized in Japan and fears were that he would not be able to return home.

While receiving treatment in Japan a number of Taiwanese independence advocates made a pilgrimage to Su Beng's bedside including musician Freddy Lim. Generations apart in age, the two men share a desire for Taiwan independence.

Photo courtesy of: Freddy Lim

Freddy Lim's visit to Japan to see Su Beng must raise concerns with the Republic of China in-exile government controlling Taiwan. Freddy, as he is known worldwide, is a heavy metal rock star and promotes Taiwan's liberation from the stage during his performances.

Freddy's message seems to be striking a chord with the youth of Taiwan. A recent poll showed that seven out of ten in the 18-29 year-old age group identify themselves as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, a demographic shift with huge political implications for the Kuomintang rulers of the island.

Su Beng can be expected to return to the struggle for independence for which he has tirelessly worked for over six decades. The Chinese government of Ma Ying-jeou must now decide if they intend to jail Su Beng for the 9-month prison sentence he recently recieved for a 2005 protest.

Su Beng was leading a protest against the Chinese at an airport rally when he got word that fellow demonstrators were being attacked by men in black shirts--organized thugs that distrupt outdoor political events in Taiwan--and gestured with his cane. Su Beng's outrage at the actions of the black shirts was seen by the ROC government as using a weapon to incite violence.

Although the news media in Taiwan give Su Beng infrequent attention, his weekly motorcades and other protests have made him a word-of-mouth folk hero and his views are moving from the margins of society into the mainstream.

Any attempt to lock up the frail advocate is sure to be met with noisy street protests and take Su Beng's message of independence to a larger audience.

====================================================

Here are my comments in response to Mr. Richardson's article:

Dear Michael,

Thank you kindly for writing about Su Beng and keeping all of us informed about him.

I'd like to offer few corrections, comments and clarification about your article.

Though the ROC Supreme Court did recently uphold a prison sentence for Su Beng, the sentence is for 6 months and 50 days (or a total of 230 days), not 9 months. A 9-month sentence was given to Bin Hong, Su Beng's assistant.

I'd also like to clarify that Su Beng has not been charged for gesturing with his cane- which could be misconstrued as a weapon. He has been charged for 2 incidents that occurred on April 26, 2005: 1) trying to obstruct Lien Chan on the highway en route to the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport 2) setting off fireworks in the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport.

I wrote about a photo that appeared with a caption stating "Su Beng waves a stick." The stick was in fact his cane: www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/10/08/2003455408

====================================================

If you read Mr. Richardson's article on the examiner.com website, you will notice that at the end of it is a video posted on www.youtube.com by Taiwan Independent Media Inc. It is a video of Su Beng's release from the hospital in Japan and return to Taiwan. I was touched to see how Su Beng was received at the airport and to hear many of the things said in the video. In a few days, I will post a translation of what was said in the video.

2009-12-17T21:54:00.005-05:00

Bin Hong called today to let me know that Su Beng has safely returned to Taiwan. He was given a warm, rousing welcome at the airport. She estimates that there were about 200 supporters there to greet him. That night, there was also a candlelight vigil held for Su Beng.

It has been a long, exhausting trip and arrival.

Video and photos of Su Beng's homecoming have been shot. I will post links to the video and provide some translation of what's being said in the video within the week.

The woman behind the man

2009-12-09T14:47:00.011-05:00

I spoke to Su Beng's assistant, Bin Hong last Friday. She has been kindly giving me weekly updates, sometimes even several times a week regarding Su Beng's condition. Since Su Beng took ill, she has been traveling back and forth between Taiwan and Japan. In recent years, she has taken over the responsibility of handling the Taiwan Independence Action (獨立台灣會) Motorcade in Taipei. Since 1994, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, around 3pm the motorcade's propaganda trucks and taxis make rounds in Taipei city and its outskirts (I wrote about it here.). I've sat on the top of one of the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade propaganda trucks as it went on its rounds around Taipei. I've seen and heard Bin Hong at the helm, speaking over a megaphone- her powerful voice reverberating through the streets of Taipei as she shouts out these slogans: "Taiwan for the Taiwanese people." "Taiwan is not the Republic of China!" "The Taiwanese people must step up and be the masters of their own fate."

She has been there at all of my interviews with Su Beng, which for the most part, are conducted at his home in Sinjhuang. She has facilitated much of my contact and correspondence with Su Beng. She set him up on Skype. She set up his facebook account. And she's been helping me to get all the documentation that I need. I am truly indebted to her and grateful for all of her cooperativeness over these past FIVE (!) years.

Last Friday she was back in Tokyo, hoping that Su Beng would be released from the hospital in a few days time and that she'd to be able to accompany him back to Taipei. Bin Hong told me that though Su Beng's condition is relatively stable, he had had a fever the week before and that the doctors aren't exactly sure what may have caused it, so they've decided to keep him in the hospital for further observation for a few more weeks. So it looks like Su Beng won't be able to return to Taipei until mid-December.

Su Beng and the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade making rounds to commemorate its 10 year anniversary in 2005.

There are also two other Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade groups making rounds on the weekends in Kaohsiung (which is located in southern Taiwan) and Tai Chung (which is located in central Taiwan).

Meanwhile a Taipei Times reporter recently wrote this article about Su Beng: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/12/01/2003459876

Update on Su Beng's condition

2009-11-23T17:12:00.001-05:00

The doctors have decided not to do kidney dialysis on Su Beng if possible. So they are treating Su Beng's kidney condition with the combined use of an IV and catheter.

In recent days, Su Beng has become more lucid and seems in good spirits. He's been able to sit up and talk, and has had plenty of visitors. Even in his frail condition, he talks passionately about Taiwan, the state of politics in Taiwan and has expressed his wish that the Taiwanese people continue working towards building their own new country.

Since late October, Su Beng has been in Tokyo trying to get his noodle shop up and running again. All these years, since the 1950s, it was the noodle shop's revenue that has supported Su Beng and financed all of his Taiwan independence activities. It funded the underground training of Taiwan independence activists in the 1960s-70s, the weekly Taiwanese Independence Action (獨立台灣會) motorcades that make their rounds throughout Taiwan, and the Su Beng Education Foundation (史明教育基金會). Over the past year, Su Beng has made several trips between Taipei and Tokyo to renovate and reopen the noodle shop in hopes that the noodle shop will be able to continue to provide funds for the Su Beng Education Foundation (史明教育基金會)- so that the foundation can continue working to build Taiwan into a country made for and by the Taiwanese.

The noodle shop has been closed for much of the year. Su Beng is facing financial hardship with the loss of the noodle shop's revenue and now he has the added expense of medical bills for his treatment in Japan. If you are in Taiwan and wish to make a donation to Su Beng through the Su Beng Education Foundation, visit this website: http://www.tw400.org.tw/7foundation/7foundation.html

On the bottom of the page is an account number where donations can be made to to support these organizations: Taiwan Independence Association (獨立台灣會) and the Su Beng Education Foundation (史明教育基金會).

Taiwan independence advocate Su Beng hospitalized in Japan is too ill to travel to face ROC jail

2009-11-23T03:47:00.002-05:00

Michael Richardson of the Boston Progressive Examiner has written about Su Beng's condition.

I had a few points of clarification regarding Su Beng's book "Taiwan's 400 Year History" and I've included my comments below.

Taiwan independence advocate Su Beng hospitalized in Japan is too ill to travel to face ROC jail
November 21, 10:38 AM
By Michael Richardson

Su Beng, the 91 year-old elder of the Taiwan independence movement, is in a Japanese medical facility too ill to return to Taiwan to face nine months in prison for a 2005 protest. Su Beng must undergo dialysis treatment or face death from kidney failure. Doctors are contemplating moving Su Beng from his treatment center to a larger hospital because of his frail condition and oppose any travel to Taiwan unless in a special aircraft equipped with life support equipment.

Su Beng had travelled from Taiwan to Japan in October to reopen his noodle restaurant which has been closed for renovation. Also in October, Su Beng's appeal of a nine-month jail sentence for a 2005 Taipei protest was denied and he must face imprisonment or pay a hefty fine.

The Republic of China in-exile [ROC] Supreme Court ironically denied Su Beng's appeal on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples' Republic of China. The independence activist had been arrested for an April 2005 protest against Kuomintang [KMT] leader Lian Chan's visit to China.

Su Beng, author of Taiwan's 400 Year History, was the first native-born Taiwanese to write a history of the four centuries of colonial rule in Taiwan. The classic history book has been translated and is now available in Japanese, Chinese and English. The book was written from Su Beng's noodle shop in Japan during his long exile from the island under the martial law period of Taiwan.

Su Beng had plotted the overthrow of KMT dictator Chiang Kai-shek after the defeated Chinese Nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949. In the early 1950's Su Beng's revolutionary plans were discovered and he had to flee the island to Japan or face certain execution.

After martial law was lifted in the late 1980's Su Beng eventually returned to Taiwan where he renewed his independence efforts. Speaking, writing and leading protests filled the aging advocate's time. Although the passing years have slowed Su Beng down they have not quieted his voice or ended his tireless advocacy for Taiwan independence.

A constant irritant to the ROC government that rules the island, Su Beng has continued to lead marches, plan protests, write essays and seek to motivate others to liberate Taiwan from the Chinese government imposed on the island by the United States following World War II. Although the KMT-controlled media infrequently mentions Su Beng his many years of effort have made him a popular word-of-mouth folk hero in Taiwan.

Su Beng's long life has spanned the Japanese colonial period, the Chinese civil war where he fought with the Communists, and his decades of Taiwan independence advocacy at a time when he was considered by KMT leaders to be a traitor.

=======================================================

Here are my comments on Mr. Richardson's article:

Dear Michael,

I'd like to offer some clarification regarding the Japanese, Chinese and English versions of Su Beng's book "Taiwan's 400 Year History."

In this article, you mention that, "The classic history book has been translated and is now available in Japanese, Chinese and English."

Actually, Su Beng wrote the first version of "Taiwan's 400 Year History" in Japanese and it was published in 1962. Several years later, he wrote a more comprehensive Chinese language version which was published in 1980. The condensed English version of "Taiwan's 400 Year History" was published in 1986.

To read more on Su Beng visit: www.aboutsubeng.blogspot.com

Critical Condition

2009-11-19T11:47:00.001-05:00

It is with great reluctance and a heavy heart that I must report this.

This weekend I heard from Bin Hong, Su Beng's assistant. She told me that Su Beng is in the hospital in Tokyo. In late October Su Beng had returned to Japan to look in on his noodle shop but recently he's had some health complications.

It's his kidneys.

Bin Hong was going to fly from Taipei to Tokyo on Wednesday but moved up her travel plans to Monday.

Yesterday she told me that his condition is not stable enough for him to return to Taiwan for treatment. In order to do so they'd have to charter a plane with special medical staff and equipment, which would be quite costly, so he will remain in Japan for treatment. Though the facility he's in specializes in kidney treatment, they are making arrangements for him to be transferred to a general hospital which will be better equipped to deal with any possible complications that might occur when they do kidney dialysis on Su Beng.

In the past year Su Beng has been traveling back and forth a great deal between Taiwan and Japan- overseeing renovations on his noodle shop in Ikebukuro and trying to get the shop back up and running. There's been a great deal of financial burden, and Bin Hong is afraid that the stress of it all has taken its toll on him.

What is there to say at a time like this?

It is serious. The man is ninety-one.

Let's just hope for the best and pray that Su Beng pulls through all of this okay.

For those of you who read Chinese, this blogger has written about Su Beng's condition and posted a video about Su Beng here: http://taiwanyes.ning.com/profiles/blogs/ge-ming-dao-shi-shi-ming-lao

Letter to the editor at Taipei Times regarding ROC Supreme Court ruling on October 1

2009-10-08T10:03:00.009-04:00

On October 7, I wrote a letter to the editor at the Taipei Times regarding this photo which accompanied an article written about the recent Republic of China's Supreme Court ruling on Su Beng's involvement in incidents occurring in 2005. Well I just found out that the Taipei Times has published it!

Photo courtesy of: Liu Hsin-De, Taipei Times

I guess the thrill of seeing what you've written in black and white or online never gets old. Here's the unedited letter I submitted to the Taipei Times:

Dear Taipei Times Editor,

Your October 3, 2009 article, “Court upholds ruling on Su Beng”, states that, “The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that found independence activist Su Beng (史明) guilty of using violence or threatening behavior at a public gathering and other crimes in a 2005 protest against then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan’s (連戰) visit to China. “

It is unfortunate that the ROC Supreme Court ruling seems to characterize Su Beng as man of violent actions.

What I’d like to comment on pertains not so much to the content of this particular article, but to the photograph that accompanies the article and its caption which reads, “Veteran independence activist Su Beng waves a stick inside Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on April 26, 2005, during a protest against then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan’s visit to China.”

Look closely at the photograph and you will see that Su Beng is waving a wooden cane, the wooden cane that he uses to walk with, not a stick that could be misconstrued to be a weapon.

Sincerely,

Felicia C. Lin
Su Beng’s English Biographer

Here is how the letter to the editor at Taipei Times appears at the Taipei Times online: here:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/10/08/2003455408

The original Taipei Times article that I wrote in response to appears here: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/10/03/2003455055

ROC Supreme Court Sentences Su Beng to 230 Days In Prison

2009-10-08T00:16:00.012-04:00

On October 1, 2009, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Republic of China (ROC) Supreme Court sentenced Su Beng to 6 months and 50 days, or a total of 230 days in prison for his involvement in two incidents that occurred on April 26, 2005. Su Beng's assistant, Bin Hong was also sentenced with 6 months, plus 3 months, i.e. a total of 9 months- for her involvement in incidents that occurred on April 26 and May 3, 2005. Both Su Beng and Bin Hong must either serve out these sentences or pay a penalty of NT$1000/day for each day of the sentence, which means that Su Beng would have to pay NT$230,000, in lieu of serving the 230 days in prison, and Bin Hong would have to pay approximately NT$270,000. I first wrote about these charges here.

Su Beng told me that he was surprised to learn of the ROC Supreme Court judgment through reporters from the Liberty Times and Apple Daily newspapers, who had called him asking for his reaction to the judgment. I'm not sure, but this seems to imply that the media might be privy to court rulings before they are publicly released. The judicial system in Taiwan is quite complex and confusing, so I'm going to have to look into this.

How did all of this get started? What exactly happened on April 26?

On April 2, 2005, Su Beng and his associates "greeted" Chiang Pin-kun, then Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman, at the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport with protests. Chiang Pin-kun was returning from a trip to Beijing. Su Beng and his associates were protesting Chiang's visits to China, which they deemed as a betrayal of Taiwan's sovereignty.

Soon after Chiang’s return to Taiwan, there were rumors that Lien Chan, then KMT Chairman, would be going to Beijing on April 26. Su Beng’s assessment of this situation was that the Kuomintang was about to sellout Taiwan to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On April 26, 2005, Lien Chan was to leave Taiwan for a trip to Beijing. Su Beng and members of the Taiwan Independence Association's (TIA) underground network (which consisted of 100 people in 70 Taiwan Independence Association vehicles) followed Lien Chan's motorcade, to the Taiwan Taoyuan Airport. Amongst the TIA members were several taxi drivers who made coordinated efforts to surround Lien’s motorcade so that a taxi carrying Su Beng could drive up along side Lien’s car, close enough so that Lien could read a piece of paper that Su Beng held out the window of the taxi. It read, “Don’t sellout Taiwan.” After following Lien Chan for 49.5 km on the highway, Su Beng and the TIA were able to stop Lien's vehicle for about 5 minutes. But Lien had some police escorts with him, so they stopped the Taiwan Independence Association from blockading Lien's vehicle. Even though the Taiwan Independence Association was not able to blockade Lien, they continued on to the airport.

Later on, Su Beng and members of the Taiwan Independence Association arrived at the airport. They were on the third floor of the airport when they saw some people dressed in black using bats to beat up some old Taiwanese men who were at the airport protesting Lien's visit to China. The people from the Taiwan Independence Association who were with Su Beng were not carrying any weapons with them, but they had some fireworks on them, so they set off the fireworks to scare away the men dressed in black. The police stopped the Taiwan Independence Association people, so then Su Beng and people from the TIA left through a side door.

The Taiwan Independence Association had tried to blockade Lien Chan on the highway en route to the airport, in hopes that if they could delay Lien by just half an hour, it would make international news, making a statement that Taiwan is not a part of China. Not only did the Taiwan Independence Association want to interrupt Lien Chan’s visit, but more importantly, they wanted to warn the Taiwanese people that Lien Chan, the KMT and CCP were all going to betray Taiwan.

I've talked to Su Beng about these charges. He simply said that the ROC law is not the law of Taiwan.

It seems that the one thing that you could say that Su Beng and Bin Hong are guilty of, is of loving Taiwan. Su Beng wonders, is it such a crime to love Taiwan?

Furthermore, the Republic of China's (ROC) Supreme Court judgment was announced on October 1, 2009, which is the 60th anniversary of the Peoples’ Republic of China. In doing so, Su Beng feels that the KMT has used this judgment as a tool to appease the Chinese Communist Party. He thinks that the Taiwanese people should know that the ROC does not represent the country of Taiwan, and Taiwan will survive only if Taiwan becomes independent.

The Taipei Times recently ran an article about the ROC Supreme Court's sentence of Su Beng.

NOTE: Before you read this article in the Taipei Times, I'd like to point out that in the photograph Su Beng is pictured waving the wooden cane he always walks with. He is not just "waving a stick" (that could be misconstrued as a weapon), as described in the photograph. To read the article click here.

Su Beng is now on facebook!

2009-10-05T18:58:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Su Beng's assistant Bin Hong (敏紅), Su Beng is now on facebook! Checkout his profile and friend him here: http://www.facebook.com/people/Su-Beng/100000149336148?ref=search

The other day Bin Hong and I talked over Skype about "facebooking" strategies for Su Beng.

I'm looking forward to this opportunity to help Su Beng increase his visibility in this new, as yet uncharted frontier.

In this day and age of social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, FaceBook), it's important to know how to leverage these platforms in order to develop new contacts, and your personal brand.

There's always something new to be learned. So bring it on!

More than just a noodle shop

2009-09-28T18:41:00.017-04:00

I heard from Su Beng the other day. After returning to Japan in late June and spending many of the summer months in Japan, he is now back in Taiwan again. Renovations on his noodle shop, which is located in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo, have finally been completed. The New Gourmet (新珍味) noodle shop is now open for business, but it seems that business is not what quite it used to be.

Photo courtesy of: L. Huang

There is a temporary cook working there now, but Su Beng still needs to hire a full-time cook for the shop, so he will be going back to Tokyo at the end of the month to find and train a new cook and staff.

Su Beng's noodle shop is certainly more than just a noodle shop- as I've written about briefly here.

In fact, the noodle shop may not have come into existence if Su Beng had not been able to flee from Taiwan in the early part of 1952, when it was discovered that he had been stockpiling weapons (left by the Japanese in Taiwan after World War II) for the purpose of attempting to assassinate Chiang Kai-shek.

Since Taiwan was under martial law at the time, people's whereabouts were closely monitored. Travel within and out of the country was restricted. So Su Beng temporarily went into hiding. If he had gotten arrested, he would have been tortured and forced to reveal the names of others involved in this plot.

Eventually, he figured out a way to get out of Taiwan. Back then, one of Taiwan's major exports was bananas, so in the late spring of 1952, after months of planning, he escaped from Taiwan by hiding in the cargo compartment of a boat exporting bananas to Japan. There are of course many more nail-biting details that I am leaving out here- about how Su Beng was even able to get access to the "banana boat" and the 5 day, 6 night boat ride that he endured, hidden in the cargo compartment of a boat, surrounded by nothing but bananas.

In the abridged version of this incredible tale Su Beng was arrested for illegally entering Japan and put in a detention center for several months, waiting to be repatriated to Taiwan. In a strange twist of fate, Su Beng was released early before serving out his entire sentence.

Now given political asylum in Japan, how was he going to support himself? He only knew that he wanted to continue his work for the Taiwan independence movement. And in order to do that, he decided that he'd have to start his own business, so he decided to start off small by renting a food stall.

Initially he thought of preparing and selling Taiwanese food, but then he realized that there would be a bigger market for Northern Chinese food. Many Japanese had been stationed in Northern China during World War II and surely they missed Chinese style fried noodles and dumplings, he thought. His food stall was an instant success, since he was one of the first to prepare and sell Northern Chinese style food.

In a few years time, he had made enough to purchase the building which is where his noodle shop is today. Later he added on 3 more floors- which he used as his residence and to train underground Taiwan independence activists. It was here that he later wrote the Japanese and Chinese language versions of Taiwan's 400 Years of History, one of his most palpable contributions to the Taiwan independence movement.

Stay tuned for more photos of the newly renovated shop.

Here are more photos that one of my friends in Tokyo snapped back in July of the noodle shop:

Photo courtesy of: L. Huang

Talking to Su Beng

2009-06-24T23:55:00.005-04:00

For me there have always these little milestones, these breakthroughs that I remember having experienced along the way in my interviews and interactions with Su Beng. It has been nearly five years now since I began this project! In the beginning I saw the big picture, I felt the potential of it ALL- and that is what moved me to pursue his story. For me it was a "calling" of sorts.

I remember noticing how the trust that I had built with him over the years was starting to yield results. During my interviews with him, especially in the past two years, new details have resurfaced.

And it may seem strange, that even now, I am still amazed by how our relationship has become so collaborative.

Su Beng has contacted me a few times in the past week- the good old fashioned way- via telephone. He will be sending me more photos and written materials for the biography. He'd like to find someone to translate his book: The Ideology of Democracy（民主主義). So now I'll be on the lookout for a translator.

But what I've always hoped would eventually get translated more completely some day, is Su Beng's Chinese language version of "Taiwan's 400 Year of History", which is over 2000 pages! The only English language version of it in existence, which is out of print, is a mere 150-something pages long.

Today he told me that on June 29th he will be returning to Japan to finally reopen his noodle shop. I'm looking forward to hearing about the grand reopening and have already enlisted a friend in Tokyo to pay the noodle shop a visit and to report back with photos of course.

The top of the wooden case of Su Beng's three volume work depicts the now "legendary", but true account of Jan Huygen van Linschoten, a Dutch navigator on a Portuguese ship who cried out "Ilha Formosa" ("Beautiful Island") upon seeing Taiwan in the 1500's.

Su Beng's disapproval of Chen Chu's visit to China

2009-06-02T12:38:00.015-04:00

Su Beng (史明) recently wrote an editorial article expressing his disapproval of the mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chu’s (陳菊) recent visit to China. With the help of my mother, I have translated his editorial, which was originally written in Chinese.

On May 17 there were protests in Kaohsiung and Taipei for an independent Taiwan, and to criticize of the government’s cross-strait policies. The protests concluded in Taipei with an overnight sit-in protest (May 18-19) for reform of the Assembly and Parade Act (集會遊行法). Prior to the protests, Chen Chu (陳菊) had announced that she would be canceling her trip to China. But on May 21, just days after the protests, Chen Chu (陳菊) reversed her decision, announcing that she would be going ahead with her trip to China.

Having spent seven years in China (1942-1949), dealing with the inner workings of the Chinese Communist Party, Su Beng (史明) believes that the politicians of Taiwan, especially members of the Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨) are ill-equipped to deal with the Chinese Communist Party. While China has over 2000 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan and refuses to acknowledge Taiwan’s sovereignty, the emerging trend of engagement between the politicians of Taiwan and China is troubling to him.

Here is the English translation of Su Beng's (史明) editorial article:

Chen Chu (陳菊) Has Betrayed the Taiwan Independence Movement
By Su Beng (史明)

In the early 1970s, Chen Chu (陳菊), the current mayor of Kaohsiung city, was the secretary of Guo Yu Xin (郭雨新) (former leader of the opposition to the Kuomintang (國民黨) during the 1970s).

Mr. Guo (郭雨新) was my father’s friend. Since I was in junior high school I’d visit Mr. Guo’s (郭雨新) house (on Zhong Shan Bei Road 中山北路). From the end of 1960 to the beginning of 1970, I was in Japan continuing my work for the Taiwan independence movement, by working outside of the Republic of China (中華民國) political framework. At the same time, Mr. Guo (郭雨新) was in Taiwan working to promote democracy under the Kuomintang (國民黨) colonial regime; he and I had some secret communications then.

At the end of the 1970s, Chen Chu (陳菊) was working for the opposition movement in Taiwan. Because of this, she was arrested twice. Towards the end of 1978 Chen Chu (陳菊) was released from jail early. After her release, the Kuomintang (國民黨) gave her special treatment, by taking her to visit Kimen (金門, which was a restricted military zone at the time). After returning from Kimen (金門), at the end of 1978, the Kuomintang (國民黨) granted Chen Chu (陳菊) permission to travel abroad.

Chen Chu (陳菊) went to Japan and came to see me. The next spring, she came to Japan during a stopover on her way to the U.S. She traveled all over the U.S. visiting overseas Taiwanese students, to promote Taiwan independence and to fundraise for the movement. Soon she became a famous activist for the Taiwan independence movement. After that visit, she often came to Tokyo to stay at my noodle shop. We often discussed strategies for the Taiwan independence movement.

In 1986, the Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨) was formed. Chen Chu (陳菊) was one of the founders of the party. Many people saw her as a key person for the Taiwan independence movement.

After Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁, the Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨) candidate for the presidency) was elected as the President in 2000, Chen Chu (陳菊) and the Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨) had to work within the Republic of China (中華民國) political framework. When Chen Chu (陳菊) was appointed to the position of Labor Minister, she became a high-ranking bureaucrat within the Republic of China (中華民國) political framework, which is against Taiwan’s independence.

Although Chen Chu (陳菊) had become famous for her work with the Taiwan independence movement, when she went to visit China as the mayor of Kaohsiung, she kowtowed to China, which has threatened to invade Taiwan. In doing so, she betrayed Taiwan.

Historically, China has claimed that Taiwan is a part of China, within its territorial borders and disparaged Taiwan by describing it as a remote, barren land. Now they have over 2000 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan, putting Taiwan under eminent military threat. China has cut off Taiwan’s lifeline to the international community. China is totally against Taiwan’s independence and nation building efforts. However, Chen Chu (陳菊), a major figure, who had consistently advocated Taiwan’s independence, went to China, under the guise of recruiting Chinese athletes and spectators for the 2009 World Games, and promoting Kaohsiung (the host of the 2009 World Games). But she ended up prostrating herself to China. While in China, Chen Chu (陳菊) referred to the Republic of China (中華民國) as the central government of Taiwan (while China refers to the Republic of China (中華民國) as “Taiwan authority”) and she referred to Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) as President (while China refers to him as Mr. Ma (馬英九)). With this choice of words, she has kissed the Koumintang’s (國民黨) ass. She has thrown away her principles and turned her back on her years of dedication to the Taiwan independence movement, and diverged from the path of Taiwan’s ancestors, who have struggled for over 400 years, to stand up to become the masters of their own fate, and to break the shackles of colonial rule. Which is more important, the development of Kaohsiung or Taiwan’s future?

Chen Chu’s (陳菊) actions are shameful. What is troubling is that the case of Chen Chu (陳菊) could be the first in a long line of Taiwanese politicians who will surrender to the tactics of Communist China.

I hope that the people of Taiwan know right from wrong, insist on protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty, and will not be misled by Chen Chu’s (陳菊) reprehensible dealings with the devil.

Translated by Felicia C. Lin and Mei-Ling Lin

Three's a charm

2009-05-31T12:37:00.004-04:00

It's been very productive week, having talked to Su Beng via Skype three times in the past week. The first two times, there were some technical difficulties with the web cam on his end, so we just went on with the call without video. But on the third try, today, we got the video working!

Su Beng or bust

2009-05-29T01:15:00.004-04:00

Back in April of 2007, I blogged about Mr. Lin, a sculptor and longtime friend of Su Beng who was working on a bronze bust of Su Beng here. When I was in Taiwan last year (from February to May of 2008), the bronze casting of the bust still hadn't been completed.

I wondered what had happened, so I asked Su Beng during one of our recent Skype conversations. It turns out that the bust was completed in July 2009 and his assistant Bing Hong emailed me this photograph of Su Beng with the finished product.

Stay tuned for the reopening Su Beng's noodle shop

2009-05-27T01:15:00.013-04:00

For the past year, Su Beng has been in Tokyo overseeing some much needed renovations on his noodle shop, which he opened in the mid-1950s. This photo of Su Beng's noodle shop, currently closed for business, was taken in March 2009 by Freddy Lim.

It’s been a bit of a financial hardship for Su Beng to have to have had the noodle shop closed for a year. There have been complications and delays due to Japan’s strict building codes. The New Gourmet (新珍味) noodle shop, located near the Ikebukuro train stop, is a historic relic- it was the place where underground operatives from Taiwan were invited to be trained by Su Beng; it was the place that once generated a steady stream of income which Su Beng funneled back through his underground channels to Taiwan, the funds were for activists fighting for Taiwan’s independence. And it was the place where Su Beng wrote both the Japanese language and Chinese language versions of “Taiwan’s 400 Year of History.” It is also where Su Beng lived and worked during most of his over forty years of exile from Taiwan. Now if only the walls of this noodle shop could talk!

I was fortunate enough to have visited the noodle shop in 2005. This is how the noodle shop looked back then:

The noodle shop is located near Tokyo's Ikebukuro train stop, here you can see the address if you'd like to make a visit in the future:

Now that Su Beng has been back in Taiwan for about a month and has returned from the month long march with the Taiwan Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan, I have been able to schedule some Skype calls with him about the biography. Though exhausted, the 92 year old is upbeat and anxious to return to Japan to reopen his noodle shop.

Over the past year, I have increasingly come away from my interviews with Su Beng feeling as though I am mining for precious gems. As Su Beng fills in the details, it is as if I am making all these small, but significant discoveries that will enrich the telling of this man's amazing life.

May 17: Su Beng arrives in Taipei with the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan

2009-05-27T01:04:00.006-04:00

The Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade arrives.

Su Beng in one of the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade "propaganda trucks."

Su Beng talks to television news reporters.

Review of Assembly and Parade Law postponed again

2009-05-05T14:14:00.014-04:00

Su Beng at a protest of the Assembly and Parade Law- Taipei, May 5, 2009
What could be more compelling than images of this ninety-something year old activist still getting out there and fighting for what he believes in?

Su Beng speaks at the May 5th protest of the Assembly and Parade Law

David on Formosa sent me these photos he snapped of Su Beng at another protest regarding the Assembly and Parade Law in front of the Legislative Yuan Building in Taipei on May 5th. Why another protest? The vote on the Assembly and Parade Law has been postponed yet again.

Read about it here on the Taipei Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2009/05/06/2003442879

Day 12: The Taiwan Independence Action motorcade on the trail of the Alliance of Referendum of Taiwan march

2009-05-05T05:37:00.010-04:00

Su Beng's Taiwan Independence Action (獨立台灣會) motorcade in Chiayi (嘉義), Taiwan- on the trail of the month-long march with the Alliance of Referendum of Taiwan. (Photo courtesy of: http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/twjessie/DAY12#)

Protesting the Assembly and Parade Law

2009-05-01T03:59:00.008-04:00

Activists protested the Assembly and Parade Law at the Legislative Yuan Building on April 28, 2009. Su Beng is amongst them front row center in his blue denim shirt. Su Beng rouses the crowd just past the two minute mark in this video.

The assembly law stipulates that people must first obtain a permit from the police precinct where the assembly is to take place. The police at the precinct level therefore have the power to permit or deny all applications for assembly and protest activities, and they are charged with maintaining order during the marches and driving away protesters if things get too rowdy. (Source: Taiwan Journal)

In 2006, Su Beng was charged with violating the Assembly and Parade Law. You can read more about that here: http://writingblock.blogspot.com/2006/09/anachronistic-assembly-and-parade-law.html

This anachronistic law has been the subject of much debate in Taiwan lately. On November 6, 2008, the Wild Strawberry student group began protesting the excessive use of force by police against protesters during the visit of Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin, and urging the Ma government to revise the Assembly and Parade Law. The Wild Strawberry student group's requests are that:

1. President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan must publicly apologize to all citizens.

2. National Police Agency Director-General Wang Cho-chiun and National Security Bureau Director Tsai Chaoming must step down.

3. The Legislative Yuan must revise the Parade and Assembly Law, which currently restricts the rights of the people.

To read their entire protest statement, click here: http://taiwanstudentmovement2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/protest-statement.html

Su Beng on month-long march with the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan

2009-04-27T06:03:00.010-04:00

Here's a video that's been posted on YouTube and on the blog of The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan. There are shots of Su Beng and his Taiwan Independence Action (獨立台灣會) motorcade propaganda trucks.

The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan has a blog with updates on their month long march from Heng Chun to Taipei here: http://taiwanra.blogspot.com/

Why a month long march?

2009-04-27T05:14:00.013-04:00

Michael Richardson of the Boston Examiner brought this video to my attention; it's a video of Su Beng at a roadside rest stop talking about the month long march from Heng Chun to Taipei, which has been posted on www.taiwanus.net.

Unfortunately the sound quality of the video clip is not very good and there is a lot of background noise from traffic going by. I will offer my best efforts of a translation highlighting the main points of what Su Beng has said in the video clip here:

Interviewer: Su Beng, excuse me could I trouble you in asking you some questions? How old are you this year?

SB: I am 92 years old.

Interviewer: Oh you are up there in age now. Now where did you going to start walking from?

SB: Heng Chun to Taipei.

Interviewer: That will take several days…

SB: A month.

[I've skipped translating some of the interviewer's comments and Su Beng's responses, which follow since they were unclear. What follows below is a summary of highlights of what Su Beng said in the rest of the video clip.]

Interviewer: Why are you walking?

SB: We are walking in the footsteps of our ancestors. Secondly, the Taiwanese people must be unified, have solidarity and bravely stand up to be their own masters, to build their own country.

Interviewer: What do you think are the future prospects of Taiwan/the Taiwanese building a new nation for Taiwan? What’s your hope for that? What are your opinions on that?

SB: Taiwan will be independent. The entire world will support Taiwan’s independence. The problem that the Taiwanese haven’t worked hard enough or bravely enough to build a new nation and that will delay the road to independence. What we should be most afraid of is, if China tries to take over Taiwan. If the Taiwanese people don’t work hard for their future, if you don’t fight for yourself then how could you expect the rest of the world support you? What’s important for Taiwan is that everyone must forcefully declare that Taiwan is not a part of the China. The Taiwanese have to say that Taiwan is not the same as China or the Republic of China; it is the Republic of Taiwan. We must prevent or stop China from taking over Taiwan. The Taiwanese people have not worked hard enough for themselves.

[Su Beng starts conversing with another person in the video here]

SB: The Taiwanese consist of Holo, and Hakka people, who are basically of Han ancestry, and some aboriginal people of Polynesian decent, but when the enemy comes, they will target all the people on the island. That the Taiwanese are still pulling each other’s legs is troubling.

We need to put things in black and white terms. Yes or no, right or wrong, it’s black and white. We need to be clear about what is right and wrong. People need to know right from wrong. There are universal standards.

Su Beng offers some opinions of the Roger Lin case:
[Note: If you'd like to know more about the Roger Lin case, click here]

SB: This is a political tool. Their chance of success with this may be low but any methods that move us towards Taiwan’s independence are good. This is a good method, but the most important thing is that the Taiwanese must stand in solidarity and fight for independence themselves.

To view and listen to the entire video clip for yourself, click on this link: http://www.taiwanus.net/news/press/2009/200904261324101594.htm

Su Beng joins a month long march from the southern most tip of Taiwan to the north

2009-04-27T02:33:00.014-04:00

On the morning of April 22, Su Beng joined a month long, 504.7 km march from Heng Chun Town, Pingtung County, (which is in the southern most part of Taiwan) to Taipei, the capital up in the north. The group will arrive in Taipei on May 17. The key organizer of the march is the ex-president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, Professor Tsai Ding-Kuey. Professor Tsai has also formed a group called "Referendum Save Taiwan Union."

Once in Taipei, there will be a 3 day long protest from May 17th to May 20th at the Office of the Legislative Yuan building. The Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan is calling for reform of Taiwan's referendum laws, which currently has unusually high requirements for approval. If you'd like to know more about the requirements of referendums in Taiwan, read this article written by Jerome Keating.

A referendum is needed in order to impeach President Ma Ying-jeou, who many Taiwanese feel is selling out Taiwan's sovereignty with his China friendly open economic policies. More specifically, many are uneasy with the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) proposed by President Ying-jeou.

To learn more about the controversy surrounding the ECFA, read this Taiwan News editorial:

MAC fails to show how ECFA aids Taiwan
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Page 6
2009-04-08 12:37 AM

New "policy explanation" materials on the proposed "economic cooperation framework agreement" between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China released Tuesday by the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council fail to respond sincerely to widespread doubts and concerns about a so-called "ECFA" raised by many economists, domestic industrial associations, labor federations, farmers groups and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party and many Taiwan citizens.

The new 12-page "Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement: A Policy Explanation" and a brochure describing the proposed ECFA as "The Brick to Knock on the Door to Return to the World Stage" evidently aim to defend the "fixed policy" of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) government of President Ma Ying-jeou.

Instead of being "a brick to knock on the door to return to the world stage," many Taiwan citizens are deeply concerned that an ECFA will lock our economy into an "one China market," further isolate Taiwan from the world economy and undermine its economic and political autonomy, competitiveness, employment and social equity.

Unfortunately, the MAC's so-called "policy explanation" takes a key step away from rational discussion for consensus by describing the objections raised to the ECFA or CECA concepts by numerous economists, professionals and former leading government officials, including DPP Chairwoman and ex-MAC minister Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan's first permanent representative to the WTO Yen Ching-chang, as merely "misunderstandings and even distortions."

Not surprisingly, neither the pamphlet or the brochure respond to the main doubts raised about this policy with more than slogans or outright omission.

A glaring example is the section entitled "Whom Will Benefit from ECFA Whom Will Be Hurt" that only lists how an ECFA will benefit "exports and employment," "the rights of Taiwan businesses" in China and even "weak industries" and makes no mention whatsoever of whose interests will be disadvantaged.

Actually, there are perfectly reasonable grounds for dissent from the pamphlet's prime assumptions, such as an ECFA is necessary to overcome the "the greatest challenge facing the Taiwan economy," which it identifies as "the grave threat to Taiwan's export competitiveness," and therefore its touted prescription.

The MAC prescribes an ECFA as the cure to avoid "the threat of marginalization" from the regional trade arrangements between the Association of Southeast Nations and the PRC and Japan and South Korea and the path to "turn crisis into opportunity" by consolidating the stake of Taiwan businesses in the China market, which already absorbs 40 percent of our exports and most of our offshore direct capital investment. But other professional economists believe that the greatest threat to Taiwan's export competitiveness and dynamism lies precisely in our over-exposure in the PRC economy and the resulting replacement of "Made in Taiwan" goods in international markets by cheaper products made in China by "Taiwan businesses" attracted to the PRC by a matrix of unfair competition measures, trade barriers and subsidies and artificially low production costs and wages maintained in part by state suppression of autonomous trade unions.

In this case, an ECFA would boost Taiwan investment and trade into the PRC and therefore exacerbate the decline of Taiwan's own exports, bleed even more private investment or private consumption out of our economy and leave our remaining domestic manufacturing, service and agricultural producers vulnerable to the importation of PRC unfair competition into our domestic market.

If cross-strait relations have improved as much as the MAC claims, what the KMT government should first raise with Beijing are demands for the PRC government to cease unfair subsidies and other measures aimed at inducing the transfer of Taiwan's manufacturing and service industries to the PRC as well as demanding that Beijing end the blockade that it has imposed on FTA or RTA talks between Taiwan and third countries.

However, such "controversial" items are absent from the ECFA agenda as outlined by the MAC, whose pamphlet also fails to respond to challenges to outdated "forecasts" about an ECFA's costs as well as benefits.

The MAC "policy explanation" also fails to provide any guidance on what Taiwan can do to avoid "marginalization" if the PRC fails to reciprocate Taiwan's goodwill and maintains its overt and covert blockade against our negotiating FTAs with third countries.

Even more questionable is the MAC's persistence in claiming that an EFCA "has no political preconditions" and will not "denigrate sovereignty" in the face of the ironclad declarations by PRC State Chairman Hu Jintao that any cross-strait economic cooperation will take place only under the framework of Beijing's "one China principle," which posits that Taiwan is part of the PRC.

In sum, the doubts of many Taiwan citizens on the wisdom of a ECFA and on its possible details, negotiation process and political, economic and social costs merit more than such a pollyannaish "policy explanation" in response.

The MAC and the rest of the KMT government need to do take seriously the requirement of policy transparency in a democratic and engage in serious public dialogue and debate that can lead to a genuine consensus on Taiwan's best path to ensure the revitalization of our economy.

Su Beng on the future of Taiwan

2009-04-27T02:01:00.004-04:00

Michael Richardson of the Boston Progressive Examiner recently conducted this cyber-interview with Su Beng.

Examiner Exclusive: Interview with Taiwanese historian Su Beng on future of island
April 25, 10:38 AM
By Michael Richardson

Su Beng's classic political history of Taiwan, titled Taiwan's 400 Year History, recognizes that there has been continual resistance to colonial rule during the 400 years covered in his book and that has been the focus of his work.

Su Beng is the first native Formosan to publish a history of Taiwan and his book, available in Chinese, Japanese, and English, is still considered a landmark work in the history of the island.

Su Beng's contribution to the literature of Taiwan followed his days as a revolutionary activist who sought to overthrow the Republic of China in-exile and his own exile to Japan during decades of ROC imposed martial law.

Fortunate to have escaped the secret police of Chiang Kai-shek and avoided execution or imprisonment, Su Beng began writing on Taiwan from his noodle shop in Japan. These days the revered author lives a quiet life and rarely grants interviews. My recent examination of the political status of Taiwan and subsequent review of Su Beng's book gained me an exclusive cyber-interview.

What is your opinion of the latest "two systems" version of the "one China" policy?

"Taiwan and China have experienced different histories and social structures; the 'two system' policy is the first step toward unification which is definitely not the right trend for Taiwan's future."

What is your opinion of the Ma Ying-jeou administration?

"The Ma Ying-Jeou regime considers maintaining political power and economic interest as his highest priority, so he does his best to keep close contact with the CCP."

What is your opinion of the United States current role in Taiwan affairs?

"For the benefits of both Taiwan and the US, the United States has an obligation to support Taiwan when there is a tension or even war between Taiwan and China."

What can American citizens do to help Taiwan?

"I highly wish common American citizens can realize clearly that Taiwan and China are different nations. And I hope that the United States government can help Taiwan to not be merged (unified) by CCP's political and military power."

What can Taiwanese people do to help get self-determination?

"Taiwanese must emphasize self-defense and the will to self-determination, and the people of Taiwan shall work harder to move toward this goal politically."

Is there any important information in the Chinese edition of your book that was excluded from the English edition that readers should know?

a. How KMT governs Taiwan by the “military spy” system.
b. How ex-president Chiang Ching-kuo ( president Chiang Kai-shek’s son) governed Taiwan by the above “military spy” system.
c. From 1951~1965, the US supported Taiwan 4 billion USD. This was very important for Taiwan’s economic kick-off.
d. The actual colonial fighting with KMT regime in the past 50 years by Taiwanese people. (Taiwanese were not just satisfied with economical improvement, but also fought for political rights)
e. The international political status change of Taiwan after World War II.
f. The influence of US, China, and Japan on Taiwan.
g. CCP’s historical development and the policy on Taiwan.
h. How ex-president Lee Deng-Hui governed Taiwan.

Future interviews with Su Beng will explore the missing history cited above and his escape from the Chinese to Japan after his plot to overthrow Chiang Kai-shek was discovered.

New Angles

2009-04-07T00:32:00.010-04:00

Lately, I feel like I've been doing a lot more talking and explaining about Su Beng- more than ever before. I suppose that I've been getting out there more lately- networking and socializing, trying to keep a balance in life. I've also started looking for a job since I had only saved up enough money to take a year off for this project. I've also started talking to people who work in the publishing industry to get some general advice and an idea of how the publishing industry works. No major deals are in the works just yet. I'm just trying to educate myself and to think ahead about what needs to be done, how to get it done, trying to understand the role of one's agent and editor, and how to protect my interests. Also in the works is the process of understanding how to write grants in order to fund raise money for future projects.

What's interesting is how in the midst of some these recent conversations (some of them not so "high powered")- new ideas and angles have come to me.

Usually I'm asked, "How did you get started on this project? How did you hear about Su Beng?" So my standard answer to these questions goes something like this: When I was in Taiwan I read this article written by Su Beng which had been translated into English. I was curious about him after having read this article, so I asked my Mom if she knew who this person was and if he was a well-known person in Taiwan. She told me that he had spent 7 years in China working for the Chinese communists- at which time he had elected to get a vasectomy before the age of 30 in order to remain committed to the cause of being a revolutionary, and had written Taiwan's 400 Years of History. And something about his story captivated me. I wrote about that in detail here.

On a recent road trip, with a few hours of driving ahead of us, my friend, who was not very familiar with my work on documenting Su Beng's life asked me quite simply and directly, "Why? Why or how did you decide to write about the person who's biography you're working on now? Why him and not someone else?"

I thought about it and gave him an answer very different answer from my "standard" answer. The question that he had put to me seemed more like a challenge; a challenge to justify why I had decided to work on documenting this man's life. Unlike most people who ask me about Su Beng- I feel they are looking for a factual answer or an account of how this project evolved for me.

I think that the way I answered my friend's questions reveal what it is about Su Beng that sets him apart as a man of substance, the ideal person through which to tell the story of Taiwan. So I thought I'd paraphrase my thoughts and answers to my friend's questions (with some explanations added for clarification) here:

To me Su Beng is significant because he is one of the earliest people to have fought for the cause of Taiwan independence. He is someone who has not veered from his ideals or become corrupt by power over the years. There have been some political activists, who have entered mainstream politics and have somehow become corrupt by power or personal interest. Some have changed their stances along the way. And some would say that this has happened to the first directly elected president of Taiwan Lee Teng-hui and to some extent, also to the man who ran against Lee Teng Hui as the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential candidate, Peng Ming-Min (who wrote the "Declaration of Formosans", calling for a new democratic constitution and Formosan independence in 1964). I am not implying any charges of corruption on these two men but one cannot help but compare each of these three men's contributions to, stances on and involvement in the Taiwan independence movement.

Su Beng has always been very Marxist and socialist in his approach. He has always been very idealistic and yes perhaps he's been able to maintain this because he made certain choices very early on, that he wanted to work outside of the system, that he didn't want to run for an elected office, that he didn't want to work within the Republic of China framework and that he wanted to reform the system.

My friend also asked me, "What did he do/what has he done for Taiwan? What is he doing now?"

Well he was one of the first native Taiwanese to write about Taiwan's history from a Taiwan-centric point of view. Before that, Taiwan was always written about as, or considered to be a part of China or Chinese history. His book "Taiwan's 400 Years of History" influenced a generation of intellectuals who began to see and realize that Taiwan had its own unique history and culture, it made them think about what Taiwan was and what it meant to be Taiwanese and have a Taiwanese identity.

He has spoken publicly and given lectures educating people about Taiwan and its unique history and past. As a Marxist/socialist, he has always believed in grassroots movements, so it is not surprising that much of his following are taxi drivers.

When Su Beng returned to Taiwan in 1993 he established the Taiwan Independence Action Motorcade, which I wrote about here:

The Taiwan Independence Action (獨立台灣會) motorcade has been making its rounds every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, for more than 10 years, since April 1994. Since returning to Taiwan in 1993, Su Beng has cultivated a grass roots following amongst taxi drivers and in 1994 Su Beng began organizing a group of taxis and trucks that form the weekly Taiwan Independence Action motorcade. On those afternoons, Su Beng himself would stand on a truck painted taxi cab yellow, with the words “獨立台灣會” or “Taiwan Independence Action” emblazoned on the side; he would speak over a megaphone and there would also be about 10 taxis in the procession. For nearly 2 hours, they would make their rounds around Taipei city and Taipei county.

Now, others in lieu of Su Beng have taken up the cause of delivering messages over the megaphone. To paraphrase, their messages are that: the Taiwanese must throw off the shackles of post-World War II colonization to become a normal country, and the Taiwanese need to stand up for themselves and Taiwan. Taiwan should be independent. The Republic of China is not the Taiwanese people's country.

Later on, my friend and I also got into a discussion of Taiwan's international status. I explained how the Republic of China (ROC) was one of the founding UN members, but that after the Chinese Communist Party took over control of China as the People's Republic of China (PRC), the US and UN switched diplomatic recognition from the ROC to PRC in 1971. I explained that Taiwan was part of the Chinese empire in the Qing dynasty (1683 to 1895) , but that it was regarded as some backwater island in the middle of no where full of barbarians... how the Dutch (1624-1662) and Portuguese had been in Taiwan in the 1600s... that Koxinga a Chinese pirate had ruled the island after the Dutch... then in the first Sino Japanese war, Taiwan was given up to Japan in 1895 and occupied by Japan for 50 years until Japan surrendered to the allied forces at the end of World War II. In the process Japan gave up to claim to Taiwan, but it was never clearly stated in whose custody Taiwan would be left.

When the Nationalist Chinese party aka Kuomintang party (KMT) fled to Taiwan in the late 1940s, General Douglas MacArthur did not stop them. The KMT was basically the ROC government in exile that had fled to Taiwan. Their intention was to be in Taiwan temporarily as they plotted to take back the motherland, i.e. China. During their authoritarian rule over Taiwan, they systematically brainwashed and reeducated the Taiwanese to speak Mandarin and believe that they were Chinese.

My friend and I also talked about the Taiwan Relations Act, Taiwan's importance as an ally and a part of the US' strategic line of defense in the Pacific rim and, I explained how Taiwan does not have any official embassies or consulates in other countries, nor do other countries have embassies or consulates in Taiwan. But Taiwan does however have "cultural/economic" offices in the US and Canada which function like an embassy would, and in turn the US has something called the AIT aka American Institute In Taiwan, there is a British Trade and Cultural Office and a Canadian Trade Office in Taipei- all of which provide embassy-like services in Taiwan.

Such is the complicated, convoluted status of Taiwan.

If you'd like to know more about Taiwan's political situation, Michael Richardson of the Boston Progressive Examiner has recently written extensively about Taiwan's "political purgatory" in a 5 part article here: http://www.examiner.com/x-1969-Boston-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m4d6-Roger-CS-Lin-vs-United-States-A-lawsuit-to-change-the-course-of-Taiwans-history-1-of-5

Taiwan's 400 Year History reviewed on Examiner.com

2009-03-17T21:20:00.012-04:00

Last week I was very excited when I was contacted by Michael Richardson of the Boston Progressive Examiner. He told me that he was writing an eight part review of the English language version of Su Beng's book Taiwan's 400 Year History. The abridged English version is around 150 pages long, just a fraction of the Mandarin Chinese language version, which in its most recent form consists of 3 volumes; the first volume is over 700 pages, the second over 180 pages and the third is over 1500 pages long. Unfortunately, I can't read Chinese well enough, so I myself haven't read the Chinese language version of Taiwan's 400 Years of History. I have always thought that it would be wonderful if someday, someone would do a complete translation of the Chinese language version of the book into English or other languages.

Here is Mr. Richardson's first book review article:

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--author Su Beng (1 of 8)
March 13, 4:02 PM
By Michael Richardson

Su Bing is the pen name of Si Tiau-hui and means "history clearly" in the native Hoklo language. Commonly known as Su Beng throughout Taiwan, Bing is the spelling used in the English translation of his classic history book, Taiwan's 400 Year History. Born November 9, 1918, in Su Lin Town in Taipei, Su Beng attended college in Japan at Waseda University.

Su left Japan in 1942 and joined forces with the Chinese Communists. Su eventually became disillusioned with the totalitarianism of the Communist Party and in 1949 returned to the land of his birth where he quickly became active in the Taiwan independence movement.

In 1952, Su founded the Taiwan Army Corps and began stockpiling weapons to overthrow the regime of Chiang Kai-shek. After the plot was discovered Su had to flee to Japan as a stowaway to avoid capture and execution.

Su Beng opened a popular noodle shop to pay the bills while he continued his activism. Su began work on the history of Taiwan while he also indoctrinated visitors to his shop on Taiwan independence.

In 1962, the Japanese version of the book was published in Japan. In 1980, a Chinese version was published in the United States. The Chinese edition is in three volumes and is over 2,400 pages in length. An abridged English version was published in 1986. The book was banned in Taiwan under Kuomintang martial law that brutally controlled the island for decades.

Journalist Jack Anderson suggested the use of Bing rather than Beng to make it more friendly to American readers. Anderson gave a dedication to the book, "Truth and wisdom will free all people living on Taiwan."

Su Beng made clandestine trips to Taiwan risking his life to promote the independence movement. Su also became an international speaker with trips to the United States and South America to meet with Taiwanese expatriates following the publication of his book.

The book, the first history of Taiwan by a native Taiwanese author, has been hailed as a classic work of the island's political history. The tone of the writing reflects Su's early Marxist days but has been widely acknowledged as an objective historical work despite its pronounced perspective.

After martial law was lifted and Su Beng could return to Taiwan without facing arrest, the tireless champion of independence returned from his 40-year exile in 1993. Su Beng, now 90, lives in Taipei where he continues to speak out for self-determination, democracy and independence.

Because Su Beng's book was long suppressed and now is out of print, many are not familiar with his work. In the public interest of being better informed about Taiwan and its unresolved international legal status, a special Examiner multi-part book review covering the key points of Su Beng's research follows.

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Here are my comments on Mr. Richardson's article:

Thank you so much for shedding some light on Taiwan and Su Beng's book "Taiwan's 400 Year History." This is one of the most accurate English language articles that I have seen written about Su Beng.

As his English biographer, there are two things mentioned in this article that I'd like to clarify:

1) The "visitors" to the noodle shop, that Su Beng indoctrinated were most likely invited and special arrangements were made for them to travel from Taiwan to Japan to meet with and be trained by Su Beng.

2) Regarding what you have written here: "After martial law was lifted and Su Beng could return to Taiwan without facing arrest, the tireless champion of independence returned from his 40-year exile in 1993." This is not entirely correct. When Su Beng returned to Taiwan from Japan in 1993, he had made one of his clandestine trips from Japan to Taiwan and news of his return was somehow leaked out and so he was actually arrested in Tainan somewhere on the highway while he was in a car driving from Kaohsiung to Chiayi bound for Ilan. He was charged and appeared before a judge. There are several outstanding charges against Su Beng, which are quite complex for me to explain here, but interestingly, he has never served a day in a prison for any of them.

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You can read parts 2-8 of Mr. Richardson's book review here:

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Taiwan's aborigines (2 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Dutch imperial mercantilism (3 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Chinese feudal aristocracy (4 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Japanese imperialism (5 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Chiang 'secret agent' regime (6 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Taiwanese revolutionary movements (7 of 8)

Book Review: Taiwan's 400 Year History--Present tasks of the Taiwanese people (8 of 8)