The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

In this special episode, we hear Eryk reading from chapter five of John’s “Taiwan in 100 Books.”  The topic is 2-28, an event named after a date: February 28, 1947. It’s usually referred to as the February 28 incident, but sometimes called the 2-28 Massacre. American vice-consul at the time George Kerr used the term “the March massacres,” which gives a more accurate impression of what happened; the brutal suppression of uprisings and protests throughout the country, which left perhaps 20,000 dead. It was a bad beginning to ROC rule on Formosa, a dark stain that was a taboo topic until the early 1990s. Listen and learn about George Kerr’s “Formosa Betrayed”(1965), probably the most important English-language non-fiction work on Taiwan. We also cover the first English-language White Terror novel, “A Pail of Oysters” (1953), by Vern Sneider, and Allan James Shackleton’s “Formosa Calling” (1998), an account of 2-28 which took four decades to get published. 

Attun Palalin, the last Japanese holdout of World War II, served in the Takasago Volunteer Unit. Indigenous Taiwanese soldiers held unique skills for guerilla fighting. Palalin continued 'fighting' in modern-day Indonesia until 1974. The podcast discusses repatriation difficulties, survival skills, the search for Palalin, financial compensation, his return to Taiwan, and the Promester Rebellion in East Indonesia.

John Groot and John Ross explore the history of Tamsui, including the Battle of Tamsui. They discuss landmarks like Fisherman's Wharf, the White Fort, and the Dan-Jang bridge. They also talk about the Imperial Maritime Customs, Fort Sen Domingo, and the impact of McKay's influence in Taiwan. Additionally, they highlight historic landmarks in Tamsui and October 2nd significance.

Strategically located near the mouth of the Tamsui (Danshui) River, the port town of Tamsui has a long, rich history. The Spanish built a fort here in the 1600s, as did the Dutch, and numerous European traders came here in the nineteenth century when it was a treaty port. But perhaps the most surprising foreign presence was the brief and bloody stay of the French military. This was the Battle of Tamsui of October 1884, which was a part of the Sino-French War. John Groot, the author of “Taiwanese Feet: My walk around Taiwan,” takes John Ross on a walking tour of his beloved hometown on the trail of this forgotten historical conflict. Visit formosafiles.com for video links, images, maps, extra info and more.

Taipei-based lawyer Ross D. Feingold discusses the rights of arrested individuals in Taiwan, including the requirement for search warrants, lack of translation rights, and the consequences of swearing at someone. He also explores the strict penalties for drug offenses, legal consequences of public insult, challenges surrounding sexual harassment and assault cases, and the concept of plea bargaining in Taiwan's legal system.

Among the too many killings committed in the lawless year of 1997 was the execution of 21-year-old Chiang Kuo-ching (江國慶), a soldier convicted of a horrific crime after a forced confession. Chiang went to his death maintaining his innocence, and 14 years later in 2011, he was posthumously cleared of all wrongdoing. John and Eryk tell this harrowing story, disagree on capital punishment, and discuss the death penalty in Taiwan. They end with a case John brings up of a serial killer from the 1970s-80s who certainly "deserved" his fate. For images, links, and more, visit www.formosafiles.com  

It's the Fourth of July! Happy 247th Birthday, America! It's estimated that around 80,000 U.S. nationals live and work in Taiwan; most, however, do so in the north. But the U.S. State Department has never forgotten southern Taiwan! The American Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Branch (AIT/K), has been serving both Taiwanese and American citizens in the southern port city since 1979. AIT/K's area includes the south, southeast, and outer islands such as Penghu. Check out this fun conversation Eryk recently had with outgoing AIT/K Branch Chief Tom Wong about his time in tropical Taiwan.

John and Eryk have been commissioned to tell the tale of Weiwuying as this new Kaohsiung landmark turns five: in part two, we've got challenges galore to overcome, disputes to settle, and finally, a glorious ending as, more than arguably, one of the world's finest performing arts venues opens in 2018. Happy Birthday, Weiwuying! 

As this already-iconic structure and performance center turns five, John and Eryk have been commissioned to tell its tale: it's a 40-year saga of a century-old military base becoming a park and home to, more than arguably, one of the world's finest performing arts venues. It's 2023, and Happy 5th Birthday, Weiwuying! 

Now that we're well into Formosa Files season three, your co-hosts add some background to stories we've told, try to clear up misconceptions about the ROC’s exit from the United Nations, make some “controversial” comments on Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and finally, we agree that Mongolia is an independent country, which the Republic of China (Taiwan) also agreed is a fact, in 2002.