In Tainan, Taiwan, a significant cultural exhibition recently honored the legacy of Shen Baozhen, a prominent Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official renowned for modernizing the island’s coastal defenses. The 15-day event, organized by the Tainan Culture Association, commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Eternal Golden Castle—a formidable fortress constructed under Shen’s supervision between 1874 and 1876 to protect against Japanese invasions.
The exhibition featured materials borrowed from mainland China, highlighting Shen’s critical role in strengthening Taiwan’s military infrastructure. The Eternal Golden Castle proved instrumental during the Sino-French War of 1884 and again in 1895 when local forces resisted Japanese naval attacks.
Zhou Chih-ju, head of the Tainan Culture Association, voiced strong criticism against current Taiwan authorities for their apparent neglect of Qing-era historical figures while emphasizing colonial-era narratives. She specifically contrasted the official silence surrounding Shen’s contributions with the highly publicized commemoration of Japanese engineer Yoichi Hatta, which was attended by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te in May.
According to Zhou, educational materials have reduced Qing Dynasty history to mere paragraphs, creating what she describes as ‘cultural amnesia.’ In response, her organization distributed 1,000 illustrated manuals to local teachers to provide students with a more comprehensive historical perspective. The association additionally conducts regular educational tours at historical sites throughout Tainan, aiming to present what they consider a complete and accurate historical narrative to younger generations.
‘History must be upheld in its correctness; it cannot be fragmented,’ Zhou stated. ‘We shouldn’t decide which part of history the next generation chooses; we should present the entire historical context.’