Military Space News
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan cancels concert by Russian sopran; Protesters storm stage at Taiwan massacre memorial
Taiwan cancels concert by Russian sopran; Protesters storm stage at Taiwan massacre memorial
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Feb 28, 2023
Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday cancelled a concert featuring Russian superstar soprano Anna Netrebko, whose past support for President Vladimir Putin has seen her performances axed from global stages.

The orchestra did not give a specific reason for the cancellation, but said it had held discussions with the singer's representatives due to "concerns in the society".

Netrebko withdrew from New York's Metropolitan Opera in March last year after the premier opera house announced it would not work with artists who supported Putin after he launched the war on Ukraine a month earlier.

She subsequently condemned the war, but her upcoming concert in Taipei still drew criticism in Taiwan, where residents have voiced support for Ukraine.

Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has stoked fears that Beijing might move similarly towards the island.

Taiwan's culture ministry indicated support for the orchestra's cancellation, telling semi-official Central News Agency "there is no room for vagueness about Taiwan's attitude on the war".

Protesters storm stage at Taiwan massacre memorial
Taipei (AFP) Feb 28, 2023 - Around a dozen demonstrators stormed a stage where Taipei's new mayor was speaking on Tuesday, calling him a murderer and demanding he apologise for the blood shed during a 1947 massacre in Taiwan.

Protesters were furious that Mayor Chiang Wan-an was hosting the memorial service because his purported great-grandfather, president Chiang Kai-shek, oversaw the violent suppression nearly eight decades ago.

Carrying a white banner with the words, "kneel and apologise", the protesters rushed towards Chiang, who turned his back on them while security guards swooped in and ushered the crowd away from the stage.

Known as the "228 Incident", the crackdown eventually killed up to an estimated 28,000 people. It started after an inspector beat a woman selling untaxed cigarettes in Taipei, prompting an island-wide uprising on February 28.

On Tuesday, Chiang acknowledged the "historical pain" and said he would "work hard... so all residents can face each other more honestly, embrace each other and remember the 228 (Incident)".

To quell the 1947 protests, Chinese nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek -- whose Kuomintang (KMT) party governed the island as part of China at the time -- called in troops from the mainland.

The violence was also a prelude to the "White Terror", the purges and executions under martial law imposed by Chiang, who had fled to Taiwan after losing a civil war in 1949 to communists.

The legacy of the massacre still lingers in Taiwan, which the Kuomintang ruled as a one-party authoritarian state until martial law was lifted in 1987.

In 1995, president Lee Teng-hui officially apologised for 228. Today, just blocks away from the Presidential Office Building, a museum and park commemorate the victims.

Some descendants of the victims boycotted Tuesday's ceremony over Mayor Chiang's presence.

"It's unacceptable for us to stand side by side with Chiang Wan-an, who is the descendent of butchers," said Amy Lee, whose grandfather and another relative were killed in the massacre.

The Chiang family have not recognised Chiang Wan-an or his father John Chiang, who says he is the born-out-of-wedlock son of former president Chiang Ching-kuo.

At the memorial service on Tuesday, former president Ma Ying-jeou advocated for reconciliation.

"Historical mistakes perhaps can be forgiven but historical facts can't be forgotten," he said.

Around 200 boycotters of the official event gathered at a ceremony organised by victims' families outside a memorial hall named after Chiang Kai-shek.

"Taiwan's 'transitional justice' cannot be completed because Chiang Wan-an and the KMT are unwilling to admit the mistakes," said Kenneth Wang, whose father was killed in the 228 Incident.

"Chiang Kai-shek is the culprit but he still sits over there laughing at us," Wang said, referring to a 6.3-metre (20-foot) statue of the late leader inside the hall.

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TAIWAN NEWS
US to increase training forces in Taiwan: report
Washington (AFP) Feb 23, 2023
The United States plans to significantly boost the number of American military personnel deployed in Taiwan to help train local forces, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down by a US warplane earlier this month. The deployment of between 100 and 200 American troops to the island is to take place in the coming months, a major increase from the roughly ... read more

TAIWAN NEWS
Germany to give Slovakia Mantis air defence systems

Advanced manufacturing powering development of Next Generation Interceptor

Kremlin keeps mum on missile systems seen on Moscow rooftops

Netherlands set to boost push for Patriot missile defenses in Ukraine

TAIWAN NEWS
Putin says Sarmat nuclear missile to be deployed this year

Japan to buy 400 Tomahawk missiles from US: PM Kishida

Ukrainians pray, ready for strikes one year after Russian invasion

Lockheed Martin gets $1BN contract for sea-based hypersonic strike capability

TAIWAN NEWS
Russia in talks with Chinese drone maker on supplies: report

US ends search for downed Chinese balloon debris, other objects

Japan says past aerial objects likely Chinese spy balloons

US still in dark over mystery flying objects, rejects China balloon accusation

TAIWAN NEWS
Advanced comms satellite launched from Sichuan

Babcock secures UK Military Skynet satellite contract

Multi aircraft and naval ships showcase interoperability

SES, ThinKom and Hughes enable multi-orbit resilient connectivity for critical airborne missions

TAIWAN NEWS
Northrop Grumman's new multifunction sensor designed for rapid production

EU eyes extra 1 bn euros on ammunition for Ukraine

US pledges $2 bn in Ukraine security aid on invasion anniversary

Northrop Grumman to manufacture US Marine Corps next generation handheld targeting system

TAIWAN NEWS
Ukraine intel chief sees no signs China plans to arm Russia

UAE spends billions on home-grown arms at defence fair

Spain court absolves arms firm of graft over Cameroon contracts

Indian state-owned firm sold artillery barrels to Myanmar: activists

TAIWAN NEWS
What is China's game plan in Ukraine?

Finland gives early greenlight to NATO entry

US-China panel warned of communist 'threat' as protests erupt

Ukraine will join NATO but in 'long-term': Stoltenberg

TAIWAN NEWS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2026 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.