S4-E23 - Taiwan’s President in Exile – Thomas Liao.
Sep 12, 2024
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Thomas Liao, a key figure in Taiwan's fight for democracy and independence, shares his extraordinary journey from a privileged upbringing to leading the Japan-based Republic of Taiwan Provisional Government. He reveals the disillusionment with KMT rule post-WWII and the sacrifices made for Taiwanese independence, including the impact on his family. Kim Liao discusses her quest to uncover her grandfather’s legacy, shedding light on his influential role in shaping Taiwan's identity and the emotional toll of activism during turbulent times.
Thomas Liao transitioned from a privileged life to leading the fight for Taiwanese independence, significantly influencing Taiwan's democracy.
The podcast highlights the dual struggle of Liao against both political oppression and personal sacrifices within his family life.
Deep dives
Disillusionment with KMT Rule
After the end of World War II, many Taiwanese, including Thomas Liao and his brother Joshua, initially welcomed the return of Chinese rule under the Kuomintang (KMT), believing it would lead to a prosperous future. However, between 1945 and 1947, they experienced a cruel awakening as they witnessed the KMT treating Taiwanese citizens as second-class subjects, leading to widespread disillusionment. The KMT's plundering of Taiwan's resources and the mismanagement that led to food shortages and inflation created growing resentment among the Taiwanese people. This period of discontent culminated in the February 28 incident in 1947, which marked the beginning of violent government crackdowns against dissenters and deepened their conviction for the need for self-rule in Taiwan.
The Birth of a Resistance Movement
In the wake of the oppressive rule of the KMT, Thomas Liao and his brother resolved to transform their criticisms of the government into action by forming a resistance movement that would advocate for Taiwanese independence. They sought international support, aiming to appeal to the United States and the United Nations to help establish a self-governed Taiwan free from KMT rule. In 1956, Thomas Liao became president of the Republic of Formosa, a symbolic government created to assert the Taiwanese people's desire for independence and self-determination. This organization not only aimed to garner international recognition but also served to provoke concern and agitation within the KMT regime.
Enduring Legacy and Efforts Towards Independence
Despite his eventual decision to renounce his pro-independence activities under immense pressure from the KMT, Thomas Liao significantly contributed to the early stages of Taiwan's independence movement and paved the way for future activism. His writings, particularly the influential book 'Formosanism,' articulated the case for Taiwanese identity and governance separate from China, inspiring subsequent generations of independence advocates. Throughout his life, Liao dealt with personal and political challenges, including familial separations and threats to his safety, yet he remained a pivotal figure in Taiwan’s struggle for democracy. The recognition and respect Liao receives today underscore his role as a foundational figure in shaping Taiwan's political landscape, illustrating the complexities of idealism versus practical survival.
This forgotten father of Taiwan democracy sacrificed his comfortable life (he came from a rich family and had a PhD from the US in Chemical Engineering) to fight for Taiwanese independence in the post-WW2 decades.
In 1956 he was elected president of the Japan-based Republic of Taiwan Provisional Government. In some ways, he also sacrificed his Chinese-American wife and children. So, when his American granddaughter Kim Liao was growing up, Thomas Liao was almost never mentioned.
