Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-03-03
The culture minister, Cheng Li-chiun, has defended the decision to withdraw from sale Chiang Kai-shek
Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun
Withdrawal of Chiang dolls not a big loss: Minister (CNA photo)
dolls from the late president’s memorial hall in Taipei.
Bobblehead likenesses of Chiang have been deemed inappropriate as they may seem to make light of the authoritarian legacy of his regime in Taiwan’s history. The government has made the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall a subject for transitional justice reforms. In the future, the hall and museum complex will emphasize the country’s progress from dictatorship to democracy.
On Friday, the culture minister said Chiang dolls would still be available elsewhere and that the effect on sales outlets at the memorial hall would be minor.
“We won’t be affecting other sales channels. If people want to buy [these dolls], they will still be able to buy them. They and related products are only being removed from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Dolls and similar consumer products make up less than 10% of turnover for three stores on site, it’s around 9%, so the effect on overall revenue will not be large,” said Cheng. [FULL STORY]
