Marking forty years since its 1986 founding at Taipei’s Grand Hotel, surviving members of the Democratic Progressive Party’s original ten-person organizing group reconvened at the historic site on September 17, amid growing concerns over current legislative stalemates and constitutional governance challenges in Taiwan.
The Democratic Progressive Party marks its 40th anniversary this September, tracing its origins back to an era when Taiwan remained under martial law (according to reporting from the outlet). Over four decades, the political organization has moved from an underground opposition force through its first rotation in power to multiple terms in government.
Founding Members Return to the Historic Grand Hotel Site
Veterans of the party’s initial organizing circle returned to the Taipei Grand Hotel to reflect on the organization’s founding history (the outlet noted in its coverage). Presidential Office Senior Advisor and former Representative to Japan Hsieh Chang-ting, alongside Yu Ching, Chou Ching-yu, and Yu Shing-kuen, gathered on the V floor of the hotel, close to the original Dunmu Hall where the party was established on September 28, 1986.
While four members attended the reunion in person, time has thinned the ranks of the original organizing group. Five of the ten initial members have passed away over the past forty years: Fei Hsi-ping, Chiang Peng-chien, Huang Erh-sen, Fu Cheng, and Chang Chun-hung (as detailed by the publication). Former Control Yuan President Chen Chu was unable to attend the gathering due to mobility constraints associated with aging.
Reflections on Current Legislative Stalemate and Constitutional Order
The gathering extended beyond historical reflection into sharp concerns over present-day governance. The surviving founders discussed ongoing legislative gridlock and difficulties within the current constitutional framework, expressing deep worry over Taiwan’s political trajectory (according to the source’s reporting).
As part of the commemoration, Yu Ching authored a short essay titled Upholding the Founding Spirit, Defending Democratic Constitutional Order to urge a reassessment of the democratic principles that motivated the party’s creation four decades ago (the news service reported).
Commemorative Poetry and Photographic Archives
Following their discussions, the four surviving founders posed for photographs in front of the hotel’s cultural corridor and historical exhibition area, which displays photographs and documents from the 1986 founding event (the outlet observed).
Marking the occasion, Hsieh shared a traditional-style verse reflecting on the passage of time, the loss of former colleagues, and the current state of Taiwanese democracy (<a href="https://www.setn.
Dunmu Hall at the Grand Hotel, the scenery resembles days gone by; half of the ten-person group is now gone, and democratic veterans talk of the old days. Hsieh Chang-ting, via Storm Media
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