Island Charm (Affecting the National Memory of Both Sides of the Strait)

Author: Qin Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Discussing tradition, there is probably no place in all of China as "traditional" as Taiwan. For about three decades, Taiwan tried to portray itself as more "Chinese" than anyone else. This unique life experience has shaped the deep-seated tremors in the heart of Taiwanese society. Whenever moved by the sincere love of fellow countrymen, these emotions surge forth. Taiwan is not a small island; it has been at the center of major historical storms several times. Going back 14,000 years, indigenous people have settled here in peace. Before the 17th century, it was a refuge for Chinese maritime adventurers in the southeastern sea. During the Japanese colonial era, Taiwan's mainstream intellectuals remained unshaken by poverty and undaunted by power, steadfastly upholding their national stance. Since 1945, the island has firmly been in the hands of the Chinese. This book is part of the "Qin Feng Works Series," offering a historical dissection of Taiwanese life. It stands alongside Qin Feng's edited works Taiwan Through the Ages: 1900–2000 and A Moment in the War of Resistance, forming a trilogy. It also shares the visual-reading format of the "Retro Images" series, including The Eve of the Civil War's End: China Through the Lens of a U.S. LIFE Magazine Correspondent and A City Born Amid Salt Pits: The Story of a City During the War of Resistance, both rare in their content and style. Looking to the future, history teaches us about the present. Taiwan is the nostalgia of Chinese people on both sides of the strait. October 25th is Taiwan's Day of Restoration, commemorating the island's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Chinese mainland media is sure to see a surge of coverage, with major outlets like the Nanfang Daily Group focusing on Qin Feng's works, preparing to delve deeply into articles about Taiwan. Discussing tradition, there is probably no place in all of China as "traditional" as Taiwan. For about three decades, Taiwan tried to portray itself as more "Chinese" than anyone else. This unique life experience has shaped the deep-seated tremors in the heart of Taiwanese society. Whenever moved by the sincere love of fellow countrymen, these emotions surge forth.