As has become tradition, to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year, we have arranged a special cultural excursion for ECCT members. This year, we will be visiting the residence of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石)in Shilin, where guests will enjoy a guided English tour. Following the tour, guests will be transported to the National Palace Museum's Silk's Palace restaurant for lunch.

Chiang Kai-shek led the Republic of China (ROC) between 1928 and 1975. Educated in Japan and a close ally of Kuomintang (KMT) founder and leader Sun Yat-sen, Chiang became the commandant of the KMT's Whampoa Military Academy (黃埔軍校) and took Sun's place as leader of the KMT in early 1926. Under Chiang's leadership Chiang and his American-educated wife Soong Mei-ling(宋美齡), held the support of the United States' China lobby and China became part of allied powers during World War II. As an ardent anti-communist, Chiang devoted a great deal of effort while in power to opposing communist forces. In between and sometimes overlapping with battles against Japanese forces in China, he engaged in an ongoing battle against communist forces led by Mao Ze-dong(毛澤東), punctuated by two phases of a civil from 1931-1936 and again after the war from 1946-1949. Following defeat, he led KMT forces in a retreat to Taiwan in 1950, where he remained in power until his death in 1975.

Chiang is regarded as a controversial figure: supporters credit him with playing a major part in the Allied victory of the Second World War while detractors and critics denounce him as a dictator who suppressed and purged opponents. A more sympathetic view is that he was a man simply overwhelmed by the events in China, having to fight simultaneously the communists, Japanese, and provincial warlords while having to reconstruct and unify the country. However, in Taiwan he leaves a lasting legacy in the form of five pillars that remain largely intact 42 years after his passing: 1) The ROC constitution憲法; 2) The institutions of government (the Executive, Legislative, Judicial and Control Yuans) 五院; 3) The ROC armed forces軍隊; 4) The National Palace Museum 故宮and 5) The Academia Sinica中研院.

Chiang Kai-shek lived in his Shilin residence for 25 years from 1950 until his death in 1975. The house was visited by many foreign dignitaries including US president Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, who stayed in the house when he was vice president in 1953. Strategically located on a hill near what was the ROC's central command centre, the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence comprises four historic monuments; the main building, guest house, Ciyun Pavilion and Victory Chapel. In addition, there are also several gardens and a fish pond. During the tour, visitors will be able to view the rooms and some of the original furniture and personal effects of Chiang and his wife, including her personal studio.

We have invited former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and renowned historian Dr Lin Man-houng (林滿紅) to join us for lunch as informal guests. While no formal speeches or presentations will be given at the lunch, our guests may share some anecdotes about Chiang Kai-shek. Members are welcome to bring guests or partners.

Guests are requested to arrange their own transport to the Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence and back from the National Palace Museum after lunch

09:30:   
Registration: Gather at the entrance of Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence 士 林 官 邸

10:00-11:30: 
English tour of the Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence

11:30-12:00: 
Travel to the National Palace Museum (bus arranged by the ECCT)

12:00-14:00:   
Lunch in the Regent's Silks Palace restaurant 故宮晶華 at 2F, Heng Shan Yun Lin Room (衡山雲林居) the National Palace Museum

Cost: NT$2200 per member and members' guest(s)

To cancel without penalty, written cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the event.

Contact: Fiona Lee / Tel 2740-0236 ext. 215 / fiona.lee@ecct.com.tw / www.ecct.com.tw