| Brief introduction |
The name Taiwan Provincial
Consultative Council was from Taiwan Representative Council
(established on May 1st, 1946), Temporary Provincial Council
(reformed in December in 1951) and Taiwan Provincial Council
(reformed in June, 1959) and final settlement in December,
1998.
Between 1946 and 2000, Taiwan encountered many issues and
evens such a 228 Affair, constitutionalization, fighting against
rebellion, Nationalist Government¡¦s retreat to Taiwan, Korean
War, the 823 Artillery War, Vietnam War, retreat from the
U.N., severing diplomatic relationships with the U.S., lifting
of Martial Law, opening of visiting relatives in China, interchange
across the Strait, four-stage constitution reforms, complete
reelection of central elected representatives, directly elected
Provincial Governor and the President and freezing of autonomous
elections in the Province in which Taiwan Provincial Council
played an important role, which brought it the name of Democracy
Palace in Taiwan.
One has to pass an arch before entering the Memorial Park
of TPCC. It is a gate without a door, a symbol that there
is no entrance guard for democracy and people are always welcomed.
It is the road to the democracy after entering the gate. The
end of the road is democracy circle with Council Building
behind. On the two sides of the road are roystonea regia that
look like guards greeting you.
The first building on the left is Representative Hall where
representatives stay during the session. There is a cafe and
restaurant which is open to the public. Accommodation of the
public in the Hall requires government documents. Plants outside
the Hall were grown by the representatives themselves with
name plates in front. The second building on the left is Chao
Qin Library in memory of Mr. Huang Chao-qin with conference
rooms inside but not open for public unless with government
documents.
The domed building in the center is Session Building, in imitation
of the domed building of White Hose in the U.S. The two lions
with moths closed in front of the building indicate that everyone
is to close the mouth before entry. Once entering the Building,
you will see the bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yet-seng, which
leads everyone to the ideal democracy and equality. There
is an image of dragon on the ground of the statue. The dragon
symbolized the dignity and power of emperors in old China
and it is tramped here by people. This is a representation
of the disappearing of the power of emperors and the sovereignty
belongs to all people.
On the right of the Session Building is the Library Hall.
Exhibit of Development of Democratic Politics is currently
held on the first floor whereas the second and third floors,
VIP Rooms and Activity Center respectively, require government
documents before rental. Along the road between Session Building
and Library Hall, there is a stele carved the decoration process
and functions of the garden. There are more than 200 kinds
of plants, mostly tropical and sub-tropical plants, around
two thirds of those in Kenting National Park. In the park,
we have the Sun-Moon Lake and water stage ad many organizations
or groups held outdoor concerts recently. One can have a trip
of culture in the garden and ponder the efforts made by our
predecessors in the path to democracy for Taiwan.
After the Province was frozen, much fewer people came to the
garden and re-utilization of the space in the garden is our
main concern. We can, for example, hold concerts, introduce
plants to the public, hold competitions for painting or photography
and exhibitions in the hope everyone treats it as his/her
garden. In the meantime, through this activity, we expect
to build the mutual experiences and memories.
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