According to the Taipei City Government, on January 22, Mayor Ko Wen-je attended the Ching-kuo Chi-hai Cultural Park and Chiang Ching-kuo Presidential Library's opening ceremony.
During his speech, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend the Chi-hai Cultural Park's inauguration ceremony and expressed his delight that the facility is finally accessible to the public after seven years of reconstruction and planning.
Chi-hai Cultural Park & Chiang Ching-kuo Presidential Library are now open to the public. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government)
The mayor noted that during Chiang Ching-term kuo's in office, he accomplished many things, including the implementation of the Ten Major Construction Projects, the repeal of the marshal law, the lifting of the ban on newspapers and political parties, and allowing veterans to visit relatives in Mainland China. He was a crucial figure in the island's democratic transition.
Read More: Xitun Elementary School in Taichung welcomes the Year of Tiger by holding a series of activities
Because Chi-hai Residence is Taiwan's sole fully intact former president's home, Taipei City Government listed the structure as a city-designated historical monument in 2006. The local government investigated the potential of developing the area into a cultural park, with the building as its core, while it began repair work.
The ambitious project was made possible by a successful public-private partnership initiative involving the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Christian Faith and Love Foundation.
Read More: Hospitals in Taiwan to suspend visitation starting today with certain exceptions
Visitors will be able to learn more about former President Chiang's humble lifestyle at the cultural park, while researchers will benefit from the relics and documents in the Chiang Ching-kuo Presidential Library's collection.
President Tsai, former president Ma, former mayor Hau, Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange president Fredrick Chen, representative of donators Cher Wang, and representative of the deceased president's family Chiang Yo-sung are among the dignitaries attending the opening ceremony.
