Taiwan axes symbols of authoritarian past in push to rebrand

Towering statue of Chiang Kai-shek slated to be pulled down in Taipei

20210921 Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek statue

A military honor guard parade at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on March 16, 2016. Taiwanese authorities are considering removing the statue of the island's first president as part of a plan to to take down symbols its authoritarian past. © Reuters

ERIN HALE, Contributing writer

September 26, 2021 12:38 JST

TAIPEI -- Taiwan is undertaking a sweeping drive to remove all symbols of its authoritarian past in a bid to create a new global brand for the island.