I attended the Double Ten Festival (Taiwan's National Day) party in Fukuoka.
A week prior, I visited Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had the opportunity to converse with Mr. Chen Tang-Shan, who served under former President Chen Shui-Bian and dedicated himself to both diplomacy and security. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chen promoted Taiwan's localization movement for the island's future. He turns 90 this year.
Every time I see the bronze statue of Sun Yat-Sen at the entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and read the inscription on the monument behind it (the Great Unity Monument), it makes me reflect deeply on Taiwan. Sun Yat-Sen is the founding father for both China and Taiwan. Yet, both sides are locked in conflict over the concept of “One China.” Which side truly inherits Sun Yat-Sen's vision is a crucial claim for Taiwan.
Yet, even amidst this, 80 years after the war and 76 years since the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan, a mindset of “Let us walk forward as Taiwanese” is taking root within Taiwan. It was people like Chen Tang-Shan who laid the foundation for modern Taiwan, believing that considering Taiwan as their homeland and building a democratic nation was the foremost mission.
The theme of how Taiwan can reconcile its roots inherited from Sun Yat-Sen with the consciousness of Taiwan as its motherland is an important theme that must be passed on to the future. Political friction with China will likely continue. Nevertheless, seeing Taiwan's current economic prosperity, the wish for peace above all else is surely a desire shared by everyone.
