Why is Taiwan removing military honour guards from the memorial?

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Taiwan is removing military honour guards from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall as part of a broader initiative to dismantle the veneration of authoritarianism and remove the cult of personality surrounding the former leader.

Starting Monday, the military honour guards will no longer perform their ceremonial duties inside the memorial hall. Instead, they will be relocated to the square in front of the building. This decision by the Ministry of Culture aligns with the goal of achieving transitional justice, which includes addressing the legacy of political persecution during Chiang Kai-shek's rule.
Relocation of Honour Guards

The military honour guards will be moved from their current position inside the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to the square directly in front of it. This change is scheduled to take effect on Monday. The Ministry of Culture has stated that this action is a step towards removing the cult of personality and ending the veneration of authoritarianism associated with the former leader.
Transitional Justice Goals

The Ministry of Culture has identified "removing the cult of personality" and "ending veneration of authoritarianism" as key transitional justice goals for the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at this stage. This initiative is part of Taiwan's ongoing efforts to confront its past, particularly the period of political persecution. The island is now a democracy, and a Transitional Justice Commission is actively investigating cases of political persecution that occurred during what is known as the "white terror" campaign under Chiang's rule.
Historical Context of Authoritarian Rule

Chiang Kai-shek, who led the Republic of China government to Taiwan in 1949, is viewed by many today as a despot responsible for imprisoning and killing opponents. His rule was characterised by a significant period of authoritarian control, with martial law only ending in Taiwan in 1987. The first direct presidential election was held in 1996, marking a significant shift towards democracy.
Previous Actions to Reduce Chiang's Public Footprint

This move to remove the honour guards is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of efforts to diminish Chiang Kai-shek's public presence. In 2006, Taiwan had already renamed the island's main international airport. Previously known as Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, it was rebranded as Taoyuan International Airport, reflecting a broader societal reckoning with the former leader's legacy.

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Why is Taiwan removing military honour guards from the memorial?

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