New Director Chen Chui-lien Vows to Deepen Taiwan's Democratic History and Guard Truth

Newly appointed Academia Historica Director Chen Tsui-lien officially assumed office today and publicly outlined her future work directions for the first time. She pointed out that the primary mission of Academia Historica is to "deepen the history of Taiwan's democratization," emphasizing that Taiwan's transition from authoritarian rule to freedom and democracy over the past few decades remains fundamental to public and national identity. Director Chen believes that the phenomenon of "equivocation" appearing in recent public discourse, if left unaddressed, will undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. She noted that some have even proposed the concept of forming a "tangwai grand alliance," remarks that not only mock the historical tangwai (outside the party) movement but also potentially challenge the current political system. Director Chen stressed that Academia Historica must use rigorous historical research and exhibition planning to prevent historical truth from being distorted and to enable the new generation to correctly understand Taiwan's path to democratization.

Reviewing the development of Academia Historica, since its establishment in 1998, the institution has shouldered the vital responsibility of preserving, researching, and exhibiting Taiwan's modern history. Past directors have largely possessed academic backgrounds, promoting series of exhibitions including those on the "lifting of martial law" and "democratization," providing the general public with a window to understand political transformation. However, in recent years, amid cross-strait tensions and the polarization of the internal political spectrum, certain political forces have attempted to reinterpret the significance of the tangwai movement, even politicizing it as a tool for confrontation. This trend has made the public sphere of historical narrative increasingly complex and rendered the role of Academia Historica all the more crucial.

Against this backdrop, while Director Chen did not elaborate in detail on the specific issues pointed to by her call to "address difficult histories of the past," it can be inferred from past exhibitions and research projects that they include political persecution during the martial law period, the commemoration of White Terror victims, and the organization and actions of the early tangwai movement. These issues relate not only to the demands for justice by victims and their families, but also to the joint construction of historical memory by all citizens. If these experiences can be widely recognized through document compilation, oral history, and multimedia displays, it will help consolidate democratic values and prevent history from being diluted or fractured.

Furthermore, Director Chen mentioned the need to prevent instances of "equivocation." So-called equivocation refers to the repackaging of historical facts or political concepts in public discussions, removing them from their original contexts and exploiting them. In recent years, it has been common among certain politicians and on social media platforms to conflate terms like "tangwai" with current political stances, or even to use the phrasing of a "tangwai grand alliance" to insinuate the combination of various non-mainstream forces in an attempt to create division in elections or social movements. Director Chen warned that without proper explanation and education, such rhetoric could cause the younger generation to misunderstand the operation of democratic systems, thereby affecting their willingness to engage in civic participation.

Finally, Chen Tsui-lien emphasized that Academia Historica will promote cross-disciplinary cooperation using the approach of "historical materials as roots, exhibitions as bridges," inviting scholars, educators, and social groups to participate jointly. She hopes that through diverse narrative platforms, citizens of different generations and backgrounds will be able to see their own positions in the mirror of history, thereby enhancing their identification with and support for democratic systems. In the future, Academia Historica will not only be an institution that preserves the past, but also an important base for cultivating civic consciousness and safeguarding democratic values.