One Week in Taipei

Area and height: The total area is 403 square meters, with the height of 13 meters.

Structure: Reinforced concrete structure with a glazed tile roof and a ceiling covered with Chinese colored paintings.

Enshrinement: In this shrine, civilians sacrificed during different phases of the revolution and war in the "founding of the nation," "suppressing Yuan," "protecting the constitution," "the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" and "Counter-insurgency Operations" are mostly revolutionaries. These martyrs include Lu Hao-dong, Lin Jue-min, Qiu Jin, Song Jiao-ren, Zhu Zhi-xin, Luo Fu-xing, the 72 Martyrs of Huanghuagang and the 500 Taiyuan martyrs. More are also commemorated here.

Ritual: During the spring and autumn ceremony every year, the Minister of the Interior will host the rituals, accompanied by the presidents of the Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, Judicial Yuan, Examination Yuan and Control Yuan to commemorate these martyrs.

In the declining years of the late Ching Dynasty, the Government was politically ineffective and corrupt, people were generally poor, and major powers invaded China successively and forced China to sign unequal treaties; thus, China had been demoted to a subcolonial status. In view of this dangerous situation in which China was on the verge of being carved up, Dr. Sun Yat-sen created the Hsing-Chung Hui (a political party), a revolutionary society for the purpose of saving China by way of overthrowing Manchu Court, at Honolulu, USA on November 24, 1894. Under the solemn appeal of "expelling the Manchus, restoring China's traditional glory and establishing a republic", people from all walks of life joined Dr. Sun's revolutionary movement. After suffering 10 times of defeat, they finally succeeded in overthrowing the Ching Dynasty and established the Republic of China, the first republic in Asia.

Martyr Zou Rong, aka Wei-dan, had performed brilliantly since childhood. When he grew older, he furthered his studies in Japan. Being eloquent, he was good at delivering speeches. At the age of twenty-one, he published The Revolutionary Army, to explicate the meanings and implications of revolution. Terse and precise in diction, he injected his passion for the revolution between the lines, winning consensus both at home and abroad. Indeed, it was one of the gigantic driving forces before the 1911 Revolution. Unfortunately, he was arrested because of the Jiangsu Paper Case. Later, he died in the prison.

In the last few years of Ching Dynasty, the armed forces of the Eight-Power Alliance invaded Peking as a result of the Boxer's rebellion. All Chinese were indignant over Empress Dowager's use of the Boxer's rebellion to drive foreigners out of China and Mr. Cheng, Shih-liang was ordered by Dr. Sun Yat-sen at this time to launch an attack at Hueichow, Kwangtong Province.

On the night of August 15, 1899, more than 600 revolutionaries, led by Mr. Cheng, Shih-liang. launched an attack against Polo County from Sanchoutien. Another batch of more than a thousand people joined up to attack Chenlung in which a Manchurian high-ranking officer was captured and the garrison commander was killed. On August 24, they attacked Yunghu and defeated Liu, Pang sheng and Teng, Wan-lin, two General-grade officers of the Manchu Army. Two days later, they besiege Pengkanghsu. On the 28th, they conquered Sandochu where more than 20,000 people joined the revolutionaries, who were ready to make an inroad into the city Amoy.

Unfortunately, the Japanese Government did not support the revolution in China by prohibiting the export of weapons from Taiwan to the revolutionaries in the mainland. Knowing this disadvantageous situation, Dr. Sun Yat-sen was obliged to instruct Cheng Shih-liang to stop the action.

Martyr Lin Jue-min, aka Yi-dong, was earnest and wayward in personality. He had aspired to save China by participating in and promoting the revolution. After joining the Tongmenghui (Chinese United League) in Japan, he was trusted confidently by Huang Xin. On the eve of Huang Hua Gang Uprising (the Second Guangzhou Uprising) in 1911, he wrote the most impressive last letter to his wife, preparing to sacrifice himself. During the attack, he led comrades to raid the viceroy office. Wounded, he was captured. Refusing to compromise, he sacrificed himself for the righteous cause.

In June 1911, revolutionaries in Wuchang decided that attack should be launched against the city. The attack was scheduled on October 6, but no action was taken because the Manchu forces had put up a strong defense around the city. On October 9, the revolutionary activities were revealed by a bomb explosion accident which led to the capture of dozens of revolutionaries. On the next day, more other activities were also revealed which forced the revolutionary forces of more than 2,000 to launch an attack at 7:00 P.M. At first, the 8th Engineering Battalion seized the arsenal, and other units occupied Chu Wang Tai, while the governor-general ran away. The next day Wuchang was completely controlled by the revolutionary forces. Two days later, Hanyang and Hankow were also occupied by the revolutionary forces. Thus, China's revolution under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally succeeded after 10 times of defeat.

In 1924, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek was instructed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen to establish the Whampoa Military Academy in order to train revolutionary cadres. In 1925, students of the academy conducted the Eastern Expedition twice, first defeating warlord Chan, Chung-ming's force and then frustrating other warlord forces in Yunnan and Kueichow Provinces. Shortly afterwards, the revolutionary base in Kwangtung Province was secured. On June 5, 1926, the Executive Committee of Kuomintang passed a proposal, appointing Chiang Kai-shek as the commander-in-chief of the revolutionary forces. On July 1, mobilization order for conducting Northern Expedition was promulgated. On July 9, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek ordered the start of the Northern Expedition so as to unify China, At this time, the revolutionary forces were warmly welcomed and supported by the Chinese people everywhere. Therefore, in less than two years, the revolutionary forces had successfully completed the mission of Northern Expedition which led to unification of the whole China.

Martyr Qiu Jin, aka Xuan-qing and Jing-xiong. She began her education when she was small. Strong in national consciousness, her poetry was exceptional. She even called herself Jianhu Nüxia (Woman Warrior of Mirror Lake). She joined Tongmenghui (Chinese United League) in Japan, and became the leader in Zhejiang alliance. In 1907, she conspired with Xu Xi-lin to launch a revolt. Unfortunately, she was arrested due to a leak in their plan. In the prison, she was tortured badly and was forced to make a confession. Refusing to comprise, she uttered the last words, "The autumn rain and wind agonize me so much!" before she sacrificed herself.

In February 1925, warlord Chen, Chung-ming's force attacked Canton for the purpose of subverting the revolutionary government. In order to protect the safety of this revolutionary base. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek personally led 3,000 student troops of the military academy and other revolutionary forces to attack Chen's force eastward and seized Tungwan and Tanshui. On February 22, Chen's main force, commanded by Lin, Hu, attacked the student troops from the rear but was stopped at Mienhu, After a day's fierce fighting, Chen's main force numbering more than 10,000 was defeated. In June, the revolutionary forces returned to Canton in mopping up other warlord forces around there. By October, Chen's remnants moved southward from southern Fuchien Province, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek started the second Eastern Expedition. Chen's force were completely destroyed and the revolutionary base in Kwangtung province was finally secured.

In July 1926, the Northern Expedition Army seized Changsha, Hsiangyin and Yuehchow, and then spent some time making adjustment and replenishment. On August 26, they started attacking Tingssuchiao defended by warlord Wu, Peifu's 100,000 odd men whose combat effectiveness had, however, been greatly reduced. Wu's force retreated to Hoshengchiao after Tingssuchiao was captured by the Northern Expeditionary Army. Wu attempted to counter attack but was still defeated. From September 6 to October 10, three major cities in Hupei Province-Hanyang, Hankow, and Wuchang-had all been seized by the Northern Expeditionary Army and Wu's force retreated to Honan Province.

Martyr Luo Fu-xin, a native of Guangdong Province, took part in the Revolution 1911 in Guangzhou. Fortunately, he survived. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he was appointed by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen to travel to and organize a political party in Taiwan. Led by Luo, anti-Japanese movements in Taiwan bloomed. The Japanese were cautious of Luo's influence and arrested him in 1913. Luo was hanged and met his fate calmly. In his final letter, he wrote, "I will be commemorated by the people on Taiwan for eternity."

In early September 1926, warlord Sun Chuan-fang had assembled his force in eastern Hupei Province, trying to attack the flank of Northern Expedition Army as the latter was involved in fighting in Wuchang. After defeating Wu Pei-fu's force, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek decided to destroy Sun's force near Nanchang from three directions. In early November, the left-wing army seized Tehan and Chiuchiang, while the right-wing army approached Nanchang, thus forming an envelopment around that city. On November 5, Generalissimo Chiang ordered launching of general offensive, and after 48 hours offierce fighting, the Northern Expedition Army occupied Nanchang, while Sun's force were defeated. It was the biggest battle since the beginning of the Northern Expedition, thus paving the way for attacking Nanking and Shanghai.

In May 1927, after defeating Sun, Chuan-fang and Chang, Tsungchang's forces, the Northern Expedition Army settled down in the Huaihai area and prepared to move toward Hopei Province. Unfortunately, a two government situation was created by the Chinese Communists, one was in Wuhan, Hupei Province, controlled by the Communists who had infiltrated into the Nationalist Government, and the other one was in Nanking held by the Kuomintang's Nationalist Government, after the KMT had driven the Communists out of the party. For the sake of national unity, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek retired and the situation became worse immediately. Starting from August 25, Sun Chuan-fang's force with more than 50,000 crossed the Yangtze River and occupied the area around Lungtan, threatening Nanking from the northeast. After 6 days of bloody fighting, Sun's force were defeated and this can be taken as the third fiercest battle. The Northern Expedition Army had fought right after the ones in Tingssuchiao and in Nanchang.

Martyr Yang Guang-sheng, a native of Wuxing, Zhejiang Province, Holding a Ph.D. degree from an American university, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he was the consul general of the Republic of China in Manila. In January 1942, when the Japanese occupied the Philippines, he and the six staff members of the Chinese embassy were detained in the College of Fine Arts at the Philippines University (Privy Council now), and Fort Santiago. On April 17, 1942, wrongly accused of masterminding of anti Japanese activities, he was shot to death secretly at the depression in the southeast of Manila Chinese Cemetery, After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, his corpse was buried in Nanjing Martyr's Cemetery, China. Overseas Chinese also built a martyr monument at the place where he was killed.

In late May 1928. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition Army. decided to use the 1st Army Group (commanded by the Generalissimo himself), the 2nd Army Group (commanded by Feng, Yu-hsiang), the 3rd Army Group (commanded by Yen, Hsi-shan) and the 4th Army Group to attack Peking and Tientsin simuetaneously. The 1st Army Group defeated Chang Tsung-Chang's force north of Tehchow on May 28, and kept a close watch on Tientsin. The 2nd Army Group launched an attack along the entire front on May 28, and reached Nanguan in early June. The 3rd Army Group supported by the 4th Army Group and the 2nd Army Group sandwiched Peking.

On June 4, 1928, warlord Chang, Tso-lin was killed by Japanese bombing, and his force evacuated Peking that day. One June 6, the Nationalist Government appointed General Yan, Hsi-shan commander-in-chief of the garrison force in the area of Peking and Tientsin. He arrived at Peking on June 11, and took over the Peking-Tientsin area without fighting.

Beginning From 1927, the Chinese Communist rebels started several riots which were all suppressed by the Nationalist Army. Then they fled to the border areas in Hunan, Hupei, Anhuei and Kiangsi Provinces, and established the so-called "Soviet" regimes. At that time, the Central Government did not pay much attention to it; however, in less than 2 years, the Communists had expanded their influences widely all around. Facing this situation the Central Government decided to extirpate the Communist rebels.

Starting from December, 1930, the Nationalist Army had launched 5 suppression campaigns against the Communists but failed 4 times. In the 5th offensive, the Nationalist Army adopted fortification tactics and conducted military as well as economic blockade against the Communists. After suffering a series of setbacks, the communists troops fled from southern Kiangsi Province to southwest China and were pressed into northern Shensi Province. The Central Government wanted to continue the pursuit but was stopped by the sian incident and the Japanese invasion of China.

Martyr Liang Dun-hou was a native of Dingxiang, Shanxi Province. In April, 1949, the Chinese communist force sieged Taiyuan city by the human wave attack and firepower tactic with 600,000 people. As the deputy chairman of provincial committee and acting governor of Shanxi Province, he led all the members of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) and the government, soldiers, and civilians to resist the attack. With the shedding of blood and considerable sacrifices, this defensive war was unprecedented in history. On the day Taiyuan city fell, he led approximately 500 people to commit suicide collectively to uphold their loyalty and integrity. In modern Chinese history, their act is praised as "Five Hundred Perfect Persons of Taiyuan."

The courageous fighting against Japanese attack of Shanghai in January 1932 buoyed up the morale in China. However, domestic situation was still bad. Chen, Minshoo, an ambitious man, regarded the 19th Route Army as his strong support, which were transferred to Fukien Province after the Campaign of Shanghai ended. While in Fukien, he conspiremunist followers to form the "Production Democratic Party". On November 20, 1933, "People's Plenary Session" was held in Foochow and the so-called "People's Revolutionary Government of the Chinese Republic" was established at the same time. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek decided to put down such a muting and, on January 13, 1934, this so-called "People's Government" was destroyed, being in existence for only 53 days.

After the Northern Expedition had completed, China was unified and began to thrive. Realizing that the unified and powerful China would block its expansion, Japan began to intensify its aggression and tried to swallow China gradually. Under this circumstance, China had no choice but to resist against the Japanese aggression. The eight-year war started on the 7th of July in 1937 when the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred and ended in 1945. During the eight years, more than 40000 battles took place and caused a heavy casualty of more than 3 million soldiers and 20 million citizens on the Chinese side. The property losses were incalculable. As the war ended, unequal treaties signed with many countries during the Ching Dynasty were at last abolished. China became one of the four major powers of the world.

Wanting to bully China for quite a long period, the Japanese feared China and the Soviet Union would someday cooperate militarily in dealing with Japan. The Japanese Kwuntung Expeditionary Army stated that if the Chinese Nationalist government accepted communism and adopted an anti-Japanese policy, they would take whatever action was necessary to safe guard Japanese interests. It clearly indicates that they would expand their aggression in China; however, their immediate objective would be north China. In April 1937, the Japanese reinforced their forces in the area of Peking and Tientsin. In June, General Hideki Tojo, Chief of Staffs of the Japanese Kwuntung Expeditionary Army, said that they should first attack the Nanking Government before attacking the Soviet Union. On July 7, the Japanese troops tried to enter Wanping County but were blocked by the Chinese troops, causing conflicts between the two armies and resulting in the outbreak of the Marco Polo Bridge incident. The Japanese continued to advance and the Chinese resisted but was to no avail, At the end of July, Peking and Tientsin were occupied by the Japanese. And in early September, Taiyuan, Shensi Province, was controlled by the Japanese after they had suffered a setback in northern Shensi Province.

The battle of Shanghai began on August 13, 1937, with the Japanese attack on Chinese garrison force in Shanghai. In early October, the Japanese brought 300,000 reinforcements, and the Chinese also deployed a powerful force of more than 50 divisions to cover the withdrawal of materials westward as well as change Japanese operational direction. Both those two powerful forces were fighting fiercely for 3 months along a narrow strip of land between the Wusung River and the Liu River. Later, a part of the Japanese force landed on Chuankungting, north of the Hangchow Bay, by passing the Wusung River and attacked the rear of the Chinese Army. On November 9, the Chinese army withdrew to the borders of Chekiang, Anhuei and Kiangsi Provinces.

After seizing Nanking in December 1937, the Japanese armed forces wanted to control the whole Tientsin-Pukou Railroad to facilitate contact between their troops in the north part of China and south part of China and south part of China From February 1938, therefore, the 2nd corps of Japanese North China Expeditionary Army launched attacks southward along the railroad from the north while a part of their Central China Expeditionary Army started attacks northward along the same railway from the south with Hsuchow as their objective. 

On the Chinese side, the operational mission was to delay Japanese advance toward Wuhan and consume their combat strength. So at the beginning of this battle, the Chinese army conducted sustained offensive and won the Taierhchuang battle Later, as the Chinese had already achieved their objective. the main force of the Chinese army withdrew to northern Anhuie Province, leaving behind a small force to fight guerrilla warfare in southern Shantung Province and northern Kiangsu Province And so the two Japanese forces made their rendezvous in Hsuchow on May 19, and the battle was over.

After the Battle of Hsuchow ended, the Japanese chose to in vade Wuhan in order to destroy the Chinese army, so they assembled 12 divisions with 500 combat aircrafts, and a part of their Marine Corps, advancing to ward Wuhan from four directions. In the south of the Yangtze River, a part of the Japanese forces went south ward along the Nanhsun Railway in order to protect their left flank; another part went westward along the Jueiwu Road, bypassing Wuchang in the South. In the north of the Yangtze River, one part advanced toward Hankow along the north bank of the river; another part advanced toward Hsiny ang along the foot of Tapieh. Meanwhile, the Japanese fleet sailed toward Wuhan along the Yangtze River. The Chinese army had deployed in depth around Wuhan to meet the approaching enemy. Having had much superior weapons and equipments, the Japanese troops advanced ambitiously and enveloped Wuhan on both sides. Facing such a disadvantageous situation, the Chinese army retreated toward the west and gave up Wuhan so as to safeguard the rear of southwest China.

Martyr Sa Shi-jun, a native of Fujian Province, had aspired to construct China into a better place since his adolescence. Likewise, he devoted himself in joining the Chinese navy. As the captain of the Zhongshan warship, he fought bravely against the Japanese invasion in the Battle of Wuhan by giving the ground troops the maximum support. Completing the mission successfully, his ship was anchored at Jinkuo, he was spotted and bombed by Japanese planes repeatedly. Sa and his troop resisted the Japanese attack for nine hours. Unfortunately, both the bow and stern of the shop were hit, and the crews were either wounded or killed. Injured seriously, he continued to command his crews bravely even with his legs broken. Finally, Commander Sa sacrificed his life along with his ship for his country.

After initiating the Pacific War by raiding the Pearl Harbor, the Japanese armed forces swept the whole south Pacific, seizing Guam, Hongkong and Manila successively, and thrusting toward Burma. On the China battlefield, however, they had suffered setbacks. On December 24, 1941, the Japanese Troops assembled about 120,000 men and crossed the Hsinchiang River, advancing to ward Changsha, The Chinese army were deployed in a pocket defense around Changsha, preparing to envelop the Japanese still headed for Changsha, All Chinese forces, however, were ready in attack posture and fought to the lost blood, From January 4 to 15, 1942, Japanese had suffered a heavy casualty of more than 56,000 men. All enemies south of Hsinchiang River were wiped out. This is the so-called Third Triumph in Changsha, and also the first victory of the Allied Countries, British and United states expressed their compliments unanimously.

After the Japanese occupied Malaya, Thailand surrendered. Then the Japanese forces with more than 100,000 men invaded Vietnam via Thailand, while the main force landed on Rangoon, and then advanced toward northern Burma At the invitation of the Allied Headquarters, the Chinese Government sent 3 corps to Burma to help the British troops, thus saved the British from being destroyed by the Japanese. However, the Chinese forces were forced to retreat into India by superior Japanese army, In the spring of 1944, Chinese 1st New Corps and the 2nd New Corps stationed in India launched a counterattack toward northern Burma in order to open the China-India Highway. Under the support of the allied air force and engineers, the Chinese fought a fierce battle with the Japanese at Taipaichia and then captured Mogaung and Myitkyina. At this time, another 5 corps commanded by General Wei, Li-huang crossed the Salween River and then launched an offensive toward western Yunnan, capturing Tengchung. On January 27, 1945, this force made rendezvous with Chinese forces fighting in India at Mongyu thus completing the task of opening the China-India Highway.

Martyr Gao Zhi-hang, a native of Liaoning Province, aspired to fly high when he was young. As such, he entered the Chinese Air Force Academy, in which he topped in scholastic records. On August 14, 1937 when Japanese aircrafts launched a huge-scale raid against Hangzhou, he led his pilots to intercept and destroyed most of the enemies' planes. It was the origin of the honorable day "August 14 Memorial Day". In November the same year, Major General Gao led his force to fly back from Lanzhou to Nanjing. On November 21, he garrisoned at Zhoujaikou station, where the Japanese planes attacked unexpectedly. He rushed into his plane immediately, attempting to take off. But the engine failed to start three times. Major General Gao was killed in his own plane caught in the enemies' crossfire.

In 1944, the Japanese encountered a series of defeat at sea in the Pacific. Back on the land, in order to contain Allied counterattack against northern Burma and western Yunnan Province of China, the Japanese launched the 4th attack against Changsha with a force of some 170,000 men. Commanded by Gen. Sahie Nagaken, the enemy launched a two-pronged offensive southward from Kiangsi and Hupei. At this time, the Japanese still left their second front army unused. After going through a fierce battle, the Chinese army abandoned Changsha in order to conduct a decisive battle with the Japanese at Hengyang. The Chinese army held the city for 47 days before the Japanese came in with a heavy casualty of more than 19,300 men. This battle had delayed the Japanese to open the Hankow-Canton Railway.

Martyr Zhang Zhi-zhong, a native of Linqing, Shandong Province, contributed significantly and repeatedly in fighting against the Japanese invasion during the the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. In October 1938, he was appointed the Army Group Commander. In May 1940, when the Japanese troops invaded Hupei Province from three directions, General Zhang resisted the invasion with determination. He fought bravely, giving the enemy fatal attack. Unfortunately, he was shot and died at Nanguadian, Yicheng. He was the highest-ranked officer died in the war in resisting the Japanese invasion. The government honored him with the first "Top Eulogistic and Commemorative citation of Honor" in addition to being enshrined in the Martyrs Shrine.

In May 1945, Japanese forces in the Chinese mainland were severely blunted after suffering setbacks in western Hunan. Meanwhile, American forces had conquered Jima and Ryukyu lslands, thus seriously threatening the Japanese homeland. At this time, the Chinese forces had almost completed equipping themselves with American weapons and were ready to launch a counterattack against Kueilin and Luichow. A part of the 2nd Chinese Front Army advanced toward the east of Kueilin to capture Yungning. A part of the 3rd Front Army went along the Liuyi Road to recover Liuchow, And the main force of the 3rd Front Army pushed along the Kueilin-Canton Road to conquer Kueilin. After May 27, the Chinese forces recovered all these major cities and continued thrusting toward western Kwangtung Province, while the Japanese forces at this time were almost at the end of an arrow's flight and fail to resist Chinese counter offensive.

After the conclusion of World War II, General Hu Tsung-nan, commander of the ROC 1 st War Area, was instructed to strike the Communists with the mainobjective of capturing Yenan, Shensi Province, the Chicoms' stronghold. The ROC army stationed in eastern Kansu Province started a frontal feint attack against the Communist rear on March 13, 1947, while the ROC Air Force launched a destructive bombing against all military targets around Yenan. On the 14th, the lst and 29th Corps under the command of General Hu, Tsung-nan advanced toward Yenan from two directions supported by air force combat planes, thus playing havoc with the Communist positions. On the 18th, the 1 st Brigade of the 1 st Reorganized Division entered Yenan first, followed by other units. The whole nation became jubilant immediately after this news was announced.

Martyr Huang Bai-tao, a native of Guangdong, migrated to and settled down Tianjin, where his father was appointed an official. He joined the army at a young age, performed brilliantly. Later, he furthered his studies in the Special Program at the Army College. He fought in the battles of fighting against the rebels, communists, and Japanese, as well as joined the counterinsurgency operations. Accomplished significantly in various battles, he was honored the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun.

In the winter of 1948, in the Battle of Xubeng, he acted as the Commander of the 7th Army, and guarded the Nianzhuang. Fighting severely against the communist army for twenty days, both the ammunition and food were exhausted. General Huang ended his own life for the honor of being a soldier and for the country.

During the Sino-Japanese War in World War II, the Chinese Communists took advantage of this opportunity to expand their influence. After the conclusion of World War II. they expanded their strength more wilfully. In July '1947, the Central Government issued national mobilization order to suppress Communist rebellion. As the Communists became stronger and stronger, a series of fierce battles were fought between the Nationalist Army and the Communist forces in North China. In January 1948, the Central Government shifted to regional defense strategy by dividing the whole area south of the Yellow River into 20 pacific regions to facilitate suppression of the Communist forces scheduled to be completed in about 2 years. Unfortunately, as the Communist became more and more powerful at the end of 1948, most areas in North China were fallen into the Communist hands. And in early 1949, the ROC forces lost one of the most important battles-the battle of Hsuchow and since then, situations were deteriorating rapidly. In less than a year, the whole China mainland were usurped by the Communists. Then, the ROC Government moved to Taiwan to begin building a strong bastion from where counter-attack would be launched some day to recover the lost mainland.

In October 1949, Tengpu was the only island held by the ROC forces in the Choushan Archipelago. On October 30, the Chicom's 61st Division landed on Tengpu. and a fierce fighting broke out between the attacker and the defender (the 221st Division of the ROC Army). On November 4, the island was almost captured by the Chicoms when the 224th Regiment landed and launched an attack. At wight, the 224th Regiment had advanced to the central part of the island when the 200th Regiment and 119th Regiment came to its rescue. Then all these forces launched a general offensive and recaptured the island on the 6th of November, 1949.

Martyr Qiu Qing-quan, a native of Zhejiang, graduated from the class of 1925 at the Whampao Military Academy. He fought in the Eastward Expedition, Northern Expedition and the suppression of Chinese communists. Furthered his training in Germany for three years, he was keen on mechanized warfare tactics. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Martyr Qiu resisted the Japanese force bravely with inferior mechanized troops; however, he launched the Japanese army fatal attacks for several times. Later, the Chinese communist army rebelled against the Central Government in the Counterinsurgency Operations, Martyr Qiu fought in the Yellow River flood area with significant achievements. Likewise, he was promoted to the Commander of the 2nd Army. In the spring of 1949, encountering setbacks in the Battle of Xubeng, he committed suicide.

On the night of October 24 1949, after the whole mainland in October 1949 fallen into their hands, the Communist forces mustered more than 10,000 men and landed on Kuningtou, Kinmen, supported by their naval craft. At dawn the next day, the 201st Divison of the ROC Army fought fiercely against Communist forces at Lungkou, while the 118th Division tried to destroy the Communists at Kuanyinting hill. But the main force, including the 18th, 28th, and 14th Divisions, launched a counterattack toward Kuningtou. By this time, other Communist forces conducted subsequent landing at the northern end of Kuningtou beach and were stopped by the 14th Division. At dusk on the 26th,the 18th Division, supported by superior fire power, recovered the last foothold held by the Communists. On the 27th, the Communist remnants surrendered, thus ending this battle with a major victory on the part of ROC Army.

At 18:30 P.M. on August 23 1958, the Chicoms artillery of more than 300 pieces deployed on islands opposite Kinmen launched a surprise bombardment against Kinmen. At the same time, the Chicoms Navy and Air Force blockaded Kinmen in an attempt to smother all the people, some 130,000 military and civilian population, on the island by cutting off their supplies from Taiwan, This bombardment came to a halt at midnight on October 5, lasting 44 days, during which a total of about 474,900 rounds of shells were fired by the Communist artillery. In the same period, 4 naval encounters and 10 air fightings were also occurred between the opposing forces. On the ground, at sea, and in the air, the ROC forces had won a brilliant victory which laid a solid foundation in securing not only Taiwan but also the Pacific Region.

Martyr Xiong Qi-lao, a native of Changsha, Hunan Province, completed his elementary education only. He joined the army at an early age, and took part in many battles of suppressing the Chinese communists, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and counterinsurgency operations. In 1946, he served as a staff sergeant in the Second Infantry Division, and was appointed to participate in the counterinsurgency operations in northeastern China. On November 25, 1946, the Nationalist Revolutionary Army attacked the Motian Mountain and combated with Lin Biao's troops severely. Martyr Xiong led his squad to engage in a hand-to-hand combat with Lin's troops. Wounded, he crawled towards the enemies and blocked the muzzle of a machine gun with his body to minimize the death and casualties of his squad, sacrificing himself.

Area and height: The total area is 403 square meters, with the height of 13 meters.

Structure: Reinforced concrete structure with a glazed tile roof and a ceiling covered with Chinese colored paintings.

Enshrinement: In this shrine, the officers and soldiers in the Chinese Army, Navy and Air-force who joined the Eastern Expedition, the Northern Expedition, the Campaigns to Suppress the Chinese communist insurgency, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression the Counter-insurgency Operations against the Communists are commemorated. For the generals, each one of them is commemorated with a single tablet. As for the field and company grade officers, one tablet is established for every one hundred of them. For the non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers, collective rosters are archived in the boxes.

Ritual: During the spring and autumn ceremony every year, the Minister of National Defense will host the ceremonies, accompanied by the chief of the General Staff, the commanders in-chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force and commanders of Military Police Command and Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command and Armed Forces Reserve Command to commemorate these martyrs.

After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident happened on July 7, 1937, Japanese troops continually pushed southward from Tlentsin-Pukow Railway and Ping-han Railway. In order to distract the Japanese troops from moving the front from the north to the south, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek worked to push the front from the east to the west to cover the seaboard factories in moving its materials to the hinterland for the benefit of long-term warfare, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek lured the invaders with a large army and drove them into Shanghai. They fought bravely for more than three months, and annihilated about 60 thousand of invaders. Then, the army mobilized towards Nanjing. In this battle, the National Revolution Army fought extremely bravely.

On March 29, 1911, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen plotted to launch the 10th uprising in Guangzhou. Huang Xin led the comrades to assault the viceroy office. Due to a leak, this action failed. However, this failure triggered off the trend of nation-wide revolts. In less than a year, the Wuchang Uprising overthrew the Qing Government and ended its regime. Then, the first democratic China - the Republic of China was born.

Martyr Lu Hao-dong, aka Zhong-gul, born in Guangdong Province, had been ambitious since his adolescence. He assisted Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in advocating the national revolution, and notably designed "The Blue Sky and White Sun" flag. In 1895, he took part in the first revolt in Guangzhou, and was captured by Qing officials due to its failure. Unwilling to compromise, Lu chivalrously surrendered his life. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen praised: "He was the first fighter sacrificed for our national revolution."

Martyr Shi Jian-ru, aka Wen-wei, was born in Guangdong Province. Being the descendant of Shi Ke-Fa, a martyr in the Ming Dynasty, avowed to promote the national revolution when he was young. Likewise, he joined the Xing Zhong Hui (Revive China Society), and visited Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Japan to discuss plans for the national revolution. In 1900, he conspired to assassinate De-Shou, the Viceroy of Liangguang (Guangdong and Guangxi). The mission failed and he was captured by Qing officials. Sacrificed himself for democracy, he calmly faced his death penalty. Dr.Sun Yat-Sen commended him as "The second able fighter sacrificed for the national cause."

The Korean War of 1950-53 marked the start of the conflict between democracy and Communism after World War II. China sent troops across the Yalu River to assist North Korea. The Nationalist Government in Taiwan did not participate in the war, but tried to persuade Chinese Communist prisoners of war to defect through international propaganda. After the war, the first batch of Chinese prisoners (the "anti-communist heroes" ) came to Taiwan on August 19, 1953. The largest group of "anti-communist heroes" arrived on January 23m, 1954, and took part in the Prisoner Release Ceremony, witnessed by Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. This movement of "anti-communist heroes defecting to freedom" revived the low-spirited Nationalist Government. This movement was later commemorated with the establishment of "123 Freedom Day" (January 23rd). During their imprisonment in the War, these "anti-communist heroes" wrote many letters and made many flags, signing them with blood to show their loyalty to Taiwan. In 1954, blood letters and flags totaling over 600 items were donated to the National Taiwan Museum by the Free China Relief Association and Friends of the Armed Forces Association.

After the Korean War ended in 1953, the USA established a mutual defense mechanism in East Asia with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries. On December 2,1954, Foreign Minister George Kung-chao Yeh and US Secretary of State John Dulles signed the "Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty" at the US Department of State in Washington, D.C. On March 3, 1955, the treaty, with ten articles in both traditional Chinese and English, was exchanged at Zhongshan auditorium in Taipei and came into effect. Before the USA established the "Taiwan Relations Act" in the late 1970s, the treaty was a cornerstone stabilizing the cross-strait status quo and bringing far-reaching influences to Taiwan.

In addition to the original copies of the treaty kept at the National Palace Museum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has donated to the NTM the fountain pen that Yeh used in the signing and the pens and brushes used in the exchange of the treaty that witnessed this historic event.

In the process of civilization development, human beings are good at using natural resources to survive. Because of its hard texture and easy access, they have developed the use of stone to make production tools, shape different lifestyles, and even derive amazing skills. In addition to the technology contained in the stone production skills, it can also reproduce the lifestyle of early people through the material culture produced by stone tools, depict the life experience and social development trajectory in a specific time and space, and depict the cultural image of early folk society.

Folk stone tools have many types due to the development of time and space, which can be roughly divided into the following five categories:

1. Agricultural tools: stone mortars, stone mills, stone foundations, stone pestles, etc. are used for shelling or processing grains.

2. Furniture: stone houses, stone benches, stone stoves, stone furnaces, stone basins, stone jars, stone tables, stone well enclosures, and stone troughs for feeding.

3. Industry: peanut wheels, sugarcane wheels, stone powder wheels, cloth mills, and measuring tools such as measuring weights and public buckets.

4. Architecture: Buildings or building components made of stone, such as stone houses, stone door frames, stone windows, stone walls, stone railings, stone slabs, stone wheels, stone pillar beads, stone for city construction, horse tying stones, flagpole bases, etc.

5. Religious art and other categories: Stone carvings for worship, commemoration or appreciation, such as stone earth god temples, stone statues, stone tombstones, stone incense burners, stone archways, stone tablets, and jade as ornaments.

This exhibition area mainly exhibits three types of stone tools, including farm tools, furniture and industry. Due to the special hardness of stone tools, many early tools are more likely to be passed down, and some stone tools are still used today.

Our postcard arrived just eleven days later! That’s extremely good for a standard piece of international mail!

Jade material is tough and hard by nature, so much so that ordinary metal tools cannot hope to make a mark upon it. The ancients believed that jade represented the resilient essence of the mountains and rivers, and in their reverence of this material, they conferred upon jade a special status as the preserver of integrity and virtue. As a result, for some eight thousand years, generations of jade master craftspeople have devoted their all to carving and polishing new worlds out of fragments of jade material, creating magnificent masterpieces that have been passed down through the ages, including sacred objects embodying divine power, ritual instruments signifying social order, rare treasures, and ingenious curios.

Five popular national treasures have been selected for this Exhibition, and will be rotated on display. Of these, the two jade great seals of "His Majesty at Seventy" and "His Majesty at Eighty" represent the concept of demonstrating virtue through treasure; the Jade Tri-Ring Symbolizing Heaven, Earth, and Humanity presents a traditional view of the universe; the Jadeite Cabbage demonstrates highly ingenious design; and the Meat-shaped Stone illustrates the uncanny power of nature.

The Jadeite Cabbage is one of the most well-known exhibits at the National Palace Museum, and its creator made ingenious use of the natural jade coloring to craft the white portions into the translucent body of the cabbage, and the green portions into luscious leaves. The cabbage is a symbol of purity, and the cleverly arranged katydid and locust on the leaves are symbols of fertility.

This creative design perfectly combines the natural patterns of the jade material with exquisite craftsmanship, resulting in a jade cabbage so lush and lifelike, it seems to have been made in heaven.

These two square great seals are crafted of jade, and respectively represent the personal aspirations of the Qianlong Emperor at age seventy and eighty.

From the inscription upon the wooden cases specially made to house the great seals, it can be seen that the Great Seal of "His Majesty at Seventy" derived its name from the famous line by the poet Du Fu, "Tis rare for a man to live to be seventy." Here, the Qianlong Emperor wished to convey that although he was already seventy years of age, he dared not be lax about affairs of state. The Great Seal of "His Majesty at Eighty" derived its name from the term, "to be observant of signs and diligent in administration," in the Hongfan chapter of the Shangshu. This indicated that even at the great age of eighty, the Qianlong Emperor remained concerned about the welfare of his millions of subjects, and sincerely wished to diligently apply himself to governance.

The two great seals can be seen as a reflection of the Qianlong Emperor's mindset during his sixty-year reign.

The Meat-shaped Stone was crafted from jasper, and has distinct
layered patterns that bear a close resemblance to braised pork belly,
illustrative of the uncanny power of nature. The creator of this
work further drilled and ground fine pores on the surface, then
slightly dyed the area to generate the semblance of a reddish piece
of pork rind, thereby creating a delicious-looking masterpiece that
appears almost identical to a rich and juicy piece of Dongpo pork
braised in soy sauce.

To house this ingenious example of fine craftsmanship, the Qing Court had a gold-gilt stand specially made, and although the finely wrought stand seems at odds with this gourmet work of art, it is a perfect testament to the exceptionality of this masterpiece.

In ancient times, Heaven, Earth, and Humanity were referred to as the Three Powers, signifying the three ways of heaven, earth, and humankind that govern the workings of the universe.

This work is an embodiment of this cosmic outlook, and from the interior to the exterior, the inner ring represents heaven, with markings indicating the sun, stars, and clouds; the middle ring represents the emperors of humankind, and is adorned with four sets of dragon heads; and the outer ring represents the earth, with mountain and wave decorative patterns.

The three rings can be rotated to form a sphere resembling the armillary spheres of old, and is a masterpiece that combines cosmological philosophy with mechanical ingenuity.