| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
TAIPEI : Sworn enemies Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese government were determined to wipe the other out in the battle for political power.
Six decades on, the animosity has faded, and in its place is a growing curiosity on "the other version of history."
It has been a year since the start of cross-strait direct flights, and the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan has soared.
Popular sights like Taipei 101, and the numerous night markets are favourites with the visitors.
But for serious history buffs, the Kuomintang headquarters has become a new attraction - in particular, the party's history library on the first floor.
"On average, there are 2 to 3 groups of mainland Chinese tourists visiting us every week. They both love and hate the Kuomintang. They used to hate us due to the historical disputes, but now they understand the party," said Shou Ming-Huang, director of the Kuomintang History Hall.
Historical photographs and documents, calligraphy by Dr Sun Yat-sen - father of the Nationalist Republic - and the original live speech by Chiang Kai Shek, are among the top attractions.
But the exhibit that attracts the most mainland visitors are the letters written by chairman Mao Zedong and China's first premier Zhou Enlai, when both worked for the KMT in the 1920s.
"Mao worked for the KMT when the two parties first cooperated. He was once in charge of the civil revolution, was Secretary of Administration and was even the minister of Public Relations. He received paychecks from the party, 120 dollars a month, equaled to a professor's monthly income," said Shou.
Serving as an exhibition guide, 27-year-old-history major Su Da-wei remembers some interesting responses from mainland visitors.
"They are amazed to see Mao's handwriting and said is different from what they've seen in China. They said the handwriting looks neater and it's interesting to see Mao's photo when he was young. They asked me if I've ever been to China. If not, I must come and see their historical sites," said Su, a tour guide of the Exhibition Room, Kuomintang Headquarters.
The exhibition has also attracted a steady stream of mainland scholars who are eager to see the historical accounts from the Nationalist side.
"Mainland Chinese would like to know more about the history before 1949. It's interesting. Personally, I am interested in the Taiwanese history after 1949," said Wang Chi-Sheng, Peking University scholar.
As cross-strait tension eases, so did some political sensitivities.
The KMT History Hall even produced a series of figurines, featuring the old-time rivals Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Zedong hand in hand.
"Chiang and Mao were colleagues when the two parties worked together. They once held hand in hand, later, fought against each other because of different political stands. Through the figurines, we want everyone to know that although they were rivals, they also had close ties, fighting for the great China," said Shou. - CNA /ls
|
