臺北市政府文化局

Like many streets in Taipei, Datong District’s nondescript Tianshui Road is lined with buildings and scooters parked on the pavement. But if you ever happen to stroll down Tianshui Road, take notice of number 45, which was once the headquarters of the first political party formed by the people of Taiwan—the Taiwanese People’s Party. 

The founding of the party in 1927 was the collective response of intellectuals such as Chiang Wei-shui, Lin Hsien-tang, and Li Ying-chang to their grand dream of political, economic, and social freedoms. The founders resisted colonial oppression in politics, advocated for economic fairness for farmers and workers, and fought for the eradication of social ills such as opium abuse.

At first, the Japanese colonial government tolerated the formation of the Taiwanese People’s Party, but within four years it reversed its decision and sent in police to forcibly break up the party assembly and arrest the leadership. As you stand at no. 45, the ground beneath your feet is the very place where sixteen members of the Taiwanese People’s Party were taken away by the police. Party leader Chiang Wei-shui was arrested and died within six months at the early age of 40.

Although the Taiwanese People’s Party headquarters were demolished, as you stand here you can reflect on Chiang Wei-shui’s words, “Compatriots must unite; true strength lies in unity.”