Taiwan: 228 Incident commemoration events to take place nationwide Feb. 28

Event

Taiwan will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 228 Incident Feb. 28. The day, known as Peace Memorial Day, is a public holiday, and official events to mark the incident will likely take place in cities across the island. Official celebrations will take place at 228 Peace Memorial Park in Taipei. An annual music festival will also take place on Ketagalan Boulevard. Local governments may also hold commemorative events, though turnout could be lower due to COVID-19 concerns.

Rallies are possible in Taipei and other major cities across the island in the lead-up to and during the anniversary. Activists will probably gather at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. More radical protesters could attempt to vandalize statues and other tributes to the former leader, which has the potential to trigger clashes between anti- and pro-Chiang supporters.

Law enforcement will boost security as a precaution around event venues, especially 228 Peace Memorial Park and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Increased traffic congestion typically occurs during the holiday weekend. Freeway Bureau officials have warned that gridlock is likely to persist on major highways Feb. 26-28. Demand for rail transport also typically spikes, and the Taiwan Railways Administration will likely operate additional trains during the holiday period.

Context

Peace Memorial Day marks a crackdown by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) that started in Taipei Feb. 28, 1947, in response to an anti-government uprising that began the previous day. Tens of thousands of Taiwanese were arrested, imprisoned, or executed during the crackdown, known as the White Terror. Various investigations have indicated Chiang Kai-shek was responsible for the suppression, though he remains revered by many in Taiwan. Opponents argue that officials should remove monuments to the former leader across the island.

Advice

Allow additional time to reach destinations in Zhongzheng District Feb. 28, especially near 228 Peace Memorial Park and statues and monuments to Chiang Kai-shek. Confirm road conditions before embarking on highway travel due to likely congestion. Heed all instructions from security personnel.