page_title: Chiang Kai-shek statues
section_title: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
hierarchical_section_title: Chiang Kai-shek statues / Statue removal / Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
caption_attribution_description: The Chiang Kai-shek statue inside the hall is now surrounded by "Wind of Freedom Blows" symbolic artwork. (Not sure how the jackolantern got in there.)
context_page_description: Chiang Kai-shek statues are statues of the late Republic of China President Chiang Kai-shek. They are found almost everywhere in Taiwan, from parks to schools to military bases, and are usually made of a bronze alloy, although it varies from location to location.
  Some statues have been removed starting in 1999, with greater publicity surrounding removals starting in 2007 under pro-Taiwan independence Democratic Progressive Party-led government initiatives, which in turn led to protests and opposition on the grounds of culture and history. Many Chiang statues have since been relocated to a central location and placed in a memorial garden. The relocation of Chiang statues has been suggested as a peaceful alternative fate for Confederate statuary. Since the movement to remove Chiang statues began, individual vigilantes have begun to vandalize the statues, typically coincident with the anniversary of the 228 Incident.
context_section_description: Discussions to remove or relocate the 10 m seated Chiang at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall started in 2007, followed by the renaming of the memorial hall in March 2007. In response, the Taipei City Government classified the memorial hall (including the statue) as a temporary historical site, which prevented any alteration or damage, and the KMT held a protest to oppose the proposed changes. Prompted by the removal of Chiang statues at other sites, some groups agitated for removal of the Chiang statue in July 2007 to coincide with other changes at the memorial hall.
  The renaming of the memorial hall proceeded, but the statue was not removed or covered up, as had been speculated, when the newly named National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall re-opened in January 2008. Instead, the statue and its surroundings were decorated with many kites to reflect the theme of "a democratic wind." The kites were removed later that year, but other democracy-related decorations remained, prompting a statement of regret from Chiang's grandson John Chiang. In August 2008, the Executive Yuan withdrew proposed statutes to make the name change permanent, and the memorial hall reverted to its original name, likely ending any threat to remove the Chiang statue inside.
  In 2017, the Ministry of Culture stated it was drafting a bill to rename the Hall and remove the symbols of authoritarian rule, including the Chiang statue within. Cheng Tzu-tsai called for the demolition of the Hall in 2018 calling it a reminder of autocratic rule.
caption: Kites decorate the 10 m seated bronze of Chiang in 2008
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