Anti-Communist Hero
This article includes a list of general references but lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2012) |
| Anti-Communist Hero | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 反共義士 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 反共义士 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | anti-communist righteous man | ||||||
| |||||||
Anti-Communist Hero (Chinese: 反共義士) was the title given by the Republic of China government in Taiwan to defectors from People's Republic of China during the Korean War and the Cold War. The title was first given on 23 January 1954 to 14,000 prisoners of war from the People's Volunteer Army who defected to the Republic of China on Taiwan. Most of them were former Kuomintang soldiers taken captive by the communist forces during the Chinese Civil War. The defectors were tattooed with anti-communist slogans and the Republic of China flag before coming to Taiwan.[1] The memorial day World Freedom Day was founded in their honor.[2]
The title was later given to a number of PLAAF defectors who also surrendered their aircraft, providing valuable insight into PRC aircraft technology. Until 1989, PRC military-affiliated defectors were given positions in the ROC military and financially rewarded.[3][4] The title was abolished in 1991, following the end of martial law in Taiwan and the thawing of cross-strait relations.[4]
References
[edit]- ↑ From Anti-Communist Martyrs to Illegal Immigrants: Taiwan as a State of Exception[permanent dead link]. Shu-Fen tin & Hsi-Ping Schive, National Chiao Tung University
- ↑ Han Cheung (19 January 2025). "Taiwan in Time: One-two-three, Freedom Day". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ Han Cheung (19 July 2026). "Taiwan in Time: From 'anti-communist hero' to death row". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- 1 2 Han Cheung (6 November 2016). "Taiwan in Time: Defection to freedom ... and then to prison". Retrieved 19 July 2026.
Further reading
[edit]- 戰後外交史料彙編:韓戰與反共義士篇(一):2005,行政院原住民委員會,ISBN 9860012598
