Ng Chiau-tong
Encyclopedia
Ng Chiau-tong (1932 – November 17, 2011) was a Taiwan
ese pro-independence activist
who served as the Chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence
(WUFI) until his death in 2011.
Ng was born in the city of Tainan
, Taiwan, in 1932 during the period of Japanese colonial rule
. He graduated from National Taiwan University
before moving to Japan
, where he obtained a master's degree
from Tokyo Imperial University, now the University of Tokyo
. He participated in his first pro-Taiwanese independence demonstration while in Tokyo while studying for his master's degree.
In 1960, Ng established the Taiwan Youth Society in Tokyo
, which later became a branch of the World United Formosans for Independence
in Japan. His pro-independence activism in Japan lead to a blacklist by the Kuomintang
, which governed the Republic of China
(Taiwan) at the time. The Kuomintang banned Ng from returning to Taiwan.
Ng was finally permitted to return to Taiwan from exile
in 1992 by the Lee Teng-hui
administration. He became Chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence
in 1995 and held the position until his death in 2011. He served as a presidential adviser to former DPP President Chen Shui-bian
. Ng helped organize the February 28, 2004 hand-in-hand rally, in which one million Taiwanese joined in a human chain
along the west coast of Taiwan from Keelung
to Eluanbi
, which was seen as a key event in President Chen Shui-bian's 2004 re-election campaign.
Ng's support for Taiwanese independence remained steadfast throughout his life, though his political positions did evolve as he aged. He originally advocated for what he called "swift independence" and the completed removal of the Republic of China
government placed on the island by Chiang Kai-shek
following end of World War II
and the 1949 Chinese Revolution.
Later, Ng promoted a more gradual dissolution of the Republic of China's political infrastructure through consensus, "The ROC is like a cap on the top of our head. If it’s rainy, we’ll have to wear it for now, but we are waiting for a sunny day to take it off...I am very optimistic. The Taiwan independence movement will succeed someday."
Ng Chiau-tong suffered a heart attack while undergoing routine sinus
surgery at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center in Taipei
. He was taken to National Taiwan University Hospital
(NTU), where he died at approximately 11:00 a.m. on November 17, 2011, at the age of 79.
The Chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP), Tsai Ing-wen
told reporters, "The Democratic Progressive Party was grief-stricken to learn about Ng’s passing. He has devoted his whole life to Taiwan’s democracy
and freedom and his spirit will live with us forever and call on us to fight for the well-being of the next generation. May he rest in peace." Historian
Lee Yeng-chyh also called Ng's unexpected death, "great loss for the Taiwan independence movement."
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese pro-independence activist
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
who served as the Chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence
World United Formosans for Independence
The World United Formosans for Independence , also known as WUFI, is an organization promoting Taiwan independence. It was established in 1970 by like-minded organizations in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Taiwan...
(WUFI) until his death in 2011.
Ng was born in the city of Tainan
Tainan
Tainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in...
, Taiwan, in 1932 during the period of Japanese colonial rule
Taiwan under Japanese rule
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a dependency of the Empire of Japan. The expansion into Taiwan was a part of Imperial Japan's general policy of southward expansion during the late 19th century....
. He graduated from National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University is a national co-educational university located in Taipei, Republic of China . In Taiwan, it is colloquially known as "Táidà" . Its main campus is set upon 1,086,167 square meters in Taipei's Da'an District. In addition, the university has 6 other campuses in Taiwan,...
before moving to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where he obtained a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Tokyo Imperial University, now the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
. He participated in his first pro-Taiwanese independence demonstration while in Tokyo while studying for his master's degree.
In 1960, Ng established the Taiwan Youth Society in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, which later became a branch of the World United Formosans for Independence
World United Formosans for Independence
The World United Formosans for Independence , also known as WUFI, is an organization promoting Taiwan independence. It was established in 1970 by like-minded organizations in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Taiwan...
in Japan. His pro-independence activism in Japan lead to a blacklist by the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
, which governed the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan) at the time. The Kuomintang banned Ng from returning to Taiwan.
Ng was finally permitted to return to Taiwan from exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in 1992 by the Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui is a politician of the Republic of China . He was the 7th, 8th, and 9th-term President of the Republic of China and Chairman of the Kuomintang from 1988 to 2000. He presided over major advancements in democratic reforms including his own re-election which marked the first direct...
administration. He became Chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence
World United Formosans for Independence
The World United Formosans for Independence , also known as WUFI, is an organization promoting Taiwan independence. It was established in 1970 by like-minded organizations in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Taiwan...
in 1995 and held the position until his death in 2011. He served as a presidential adviser to former DPP President Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
. Ng helped organize the February 28, 2004 hand-in-hand rally, in which one million Taiwanese joined in a human chain
Human chain
A human chain is a form of demonstration in which people link their arms as a show of political solidarity.The number of demonstrators involved in a human chain is often disputed; the organizers of the human chain often report higher numbers than governmental authorities.Notable human chains, in...
along the west coast of Taiwan from Keelung
Keelung
Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport...
to Eluanbi
Eluanbi
Cape Eluanbi is located in Hengchun township, Pingtung county, on the southernmost end of the Taiwan Central Mountain Range. It is also known as Ngoluanpi. Facing the Luzon Strait, it is the southernmost cape of Taiwan. The name Gô-lôan derives from Goran, as means "Sail" coming from Paiwan...
, which was seen as a key event in President Chen Shui-bian's 2004 re-election campaign.
Ng's support for Taiwanese independence remained steadfast throughout his life, though his political positions did evolve as he aged. He originally advocated for what he called "swift independence" and the completed removal of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
government placed on the island by Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
following end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the 1949 Chinese Revolution.
Later, Ng promoted a more gradual dissolution of the Republic of China's political infrastructure through consensus, "The ROC is like a cap on the top of our head. If it’s rainy, we’ll have to wear it for now, but we are waiting for a sunny day to take it off...I am very optimistic. The Taiwan independence movement will succeed someday."
Ng Chiau-tong suffered a heart attack while undergoing routine sinus
Sinus
- Anatomy :In anatomy, where a sinus is a sac or cavity in any organ or tissue:*Sinus , description of the general term*Paranasal sinuses, air cavities in the cranial bones, especially those near the nose, including:...
surgery at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. He was taken to National Taiwan University Hospital
National Taiwan University Hospital
National Taiwan University Hospital started operations under Japanese rule in Dadaocheng on June 18, 1895, and moved to its present location in 1898. The Hospital was later annexed to the Medical School of Taipei Imperial University and renamed Taipei Imperial University Medical School Affiliated...
(NTU), where he died at approximately 11:00 a.m. on November 17, 2011, at the age of 79.
The Chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
(DPP), Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen is the current chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan. Studying in Taiwan, the U.S and the U.K. Tsai earned an LL.B. from National Taiwan University, an LL.M. from Cornell University Law School and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics....
told reporters, "The Democratic Progressive Party was grief-stricken to learn about Ng’s passing. He has devoted his whole life to Taiwan’s democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and freedom and his spirit will live with us forever and call on us to fight for the well-being of the next generation. May he rest in peace." Historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
Lee Yeng-chyh also called Ng's unexpected death, "great loss for the Taiwan independence movement."