Yesterday, flags fluttered and fireworks lit up the sky to celebrate the 115th Double Ten National Day of the Republic of China (ROC) — but when will Taiwanese be able to celebrate a national day of their own choosing?On Oct. 10, 1911, the Wuchang Uprising set the Xinhai Revolution in motion, leading to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the founding of the ROC on Jan. 1 the following year. When the first shots rang out in Wuchang (武昌), Taiwan was still under Japanese colonial rule. After Japan’s defeat in 1945, the ROC government came to Taiwan to govern. Taiwanese had hoped for postwar stability, but instead faced political corruption, social unrest and the 228 Incident in 1947, the violent suppression of an anti-government uprising. After losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government retreated to Taiwan, bringing with it the authoritarian politics of China’s civil war. Taiwan remained under martial law for 38 long years, from May 20, 1949, to July 15, 1987. During this period, known as the White Terror era, countless people were arrested, imprisoned or even killed because of their speech, beliefs and political views. How can this history possibly be glossed over with the phrase “years of hardship?”
Taiwan’s democracy was not a favor bestowed upon it by its rulers, but something Taiwanese fought for at a great cost. Martial law was lifted in 1987, and Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996. Taiwanese could finally elect their own head of state and bring about peaceful transfers of power through the ballot box. This democratic Taiwan has long since outgrown the political character of the ROC as it was established in China. Even so, Taiwan continues to face pressure from China when participating in international events under the name ROC, with restrictions imposed even on the name it can use. Why can the democratic achievements of Taiwanese not be proudly presented to the world under the name Taiwan?Double Ten National Day fireworks light up the sky every year, yet they cannot illuminate Taiwan’s own national birthday. How many more years must Taiwanese celebrate a Chinese revolution from more than a century ago before they can, on a national day of their own choosing, raise their heads high and proudly proclaim to the world, “We are Taiwan.”?Steve Ho is a retired engineer. Translated by Kyra Gustavsen