Chiang Ching-kuo Dies
蔣經國過世
Source: Looking Back at History! Chiang Ching-kuo Passes Away — State Funeral Moves the Nation
From: TVBS
Date: December 26, 2004. Authors: Yang Chen-ch’üan, Chuang T’ing-hao
On January 13 of the 77th year of the Republic of China (1988), Chiang Ching-kuo passed away. The three free-to-air television stations immediately switched to black-and-white broadcasts, and all entertainment businesses suspended operations for three days. Tenor Fan Yü-wen recalled: “A thunderbolt that shattered the long sky.” Chiang Ching-kuo’s sudden death plunged the nation into grief; during the six days when the public was allowed to pay their respects, large numbers of people flocked daily to the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine to mourn, and before the state funeral on January 30th, a memorial service was held with two thousand attendees.
During his tenure in Taiwan, Chiang Ching-kuo had promoted the Ten Major Construction Projects and lifted the long-standing martial law. He was 78 years old; four hours after his death was announced, Lee Teng-hui proclaimed himself acting president, ending the Chiang family’s rule over Taiwan.
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External Links
- Special Report: Chiang Ching-kuo and Taiwan’s Path to Democracy (BBC Chinese)
- Chiang Ching-kuo’s Faults and Merits (FTV Commentary)
- The Impact of Chiang Ching-kuo on Taiwan’s Economic Development (Lin Chin-yüan)