TAIWAN: HOME OF CHIANG KAI SHEK OPENED TO THE PUBLIC

(5 Aug 1996) Mandarin/Nat
Taiwanese Authorities opened the house of former President Chiang Kai Shek to the public Monday.
Hundreds gathered to see the massive compound - until now forbidden territory for normal Taiwanese.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek's place in Taiwanese history is assured.
The Nationalist leader's memorial towers above the locals in Taipei.
Chiang and his forces - some 400-thousand men - fled to Taiwan after the communist takeover of mainland China. He ruled the country by martial law until his death in 1975.
For 50 years the president's residential compound was out of bounds to curious Taiwanese.
Heavy security ensured no one could ever penetrate its high walls.
Under martial rule Chiang's word was law - but since democracy's growth on the Island, much of the martial period is slowly being revealed - including Chiang's house.
The last resident of the house was Chiang Kai Shek's wife.
But now she has a large apartment in central New York.
These days it is a much older generation of nationalists who carry the torch.
Mr Wong came to Taiwan with the first influx of Chiang's troops from the Mainland.
He is amongst the few who hold no criticism for the Generalissimo.
SOUNDBITE: (MANDARIN)
I do commemorate President Chiang, because I followed him ever since I joined his troops as a kid. Though Chiang has now passed away and left me, We still have a strong memory of him.
CAPTION: Mr Wong, army veteran
The history of the compound is still vivid for many of Monday's visitors - Martial law was only lifted in the eighties.
The lifting of the veil on the Chiang family's private life is a major step.
SOUNDBITE: (MANDARIN)
"Taiwan has moved towards democracy, as long as Madame Chiang is no longer living here it would be a waste if government still kept the public away. Now it is open to the public, it gives us a place to go to, and it also represents great progress in Taiwan's
democratic achievement.
SUPER CAPTION: Local resident
Taipei's government has been careful not to make the compound a Chiang Museum, there is no wish to revive any Chiang Kai Shek fervour.
There is no access to the family house and guards prevent more than a glimpse through the gates.
Nor are there statues, plaques or photos of the man.
All that gives a sense of identity is Chiang's chapel.
Visitors can glimpse inside the chapel where the general , a devout Christian, would pray.
The focus is on the fine selection of flowers and Chinese gardens available for families to play in, leaving only the old soldiers with their memories.
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[@ArnoldTeras]

I think that lots of Western people blame him a lot. But I don't he was a truly evil man, honestly. :(

[@subninja8069]

CHIANG KAI SHEK did notting wrong

[@ArnoldTeras]

What about the White Terror in Taiwan, why did he not make the island into a real democracy??

[@Wufei22]

自由中國中華民國臺灣萬歲🇹🇼