• 2010-12-17

The special exhibition American Footsteps in Taiwan began on December 12, 2010. President Ma Ying-jeou, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang, Council for Cultural Affairs Minister Emile Sheng, former United States Taiwan Defense Commander Admiral James Linder and wife Patricia, and AIT Director William Stanton attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at NCL. In his address, President Ma stated that the U.S. has played a key role in Taiwan’s development over the last several decades, primarily due to the same beliefs in freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. U.S. financial and military aid enabled Taiwan to become a beacon for democracy in Asia. Director-general Karl Ku spoke on the reason NCL and AIT organized the exhibition—that is to raise international awareness and a sense of nationalism. He expressed confidence that readers would be able to witness the long-standing friendship between the two countries over several decades. On display were over 200 items separated into three main categories: Alliance and Aid, Severing Relations and Withdrawing Troops, and U.S.-Taiwan Relations Post-1980. Through old pictures, records and other historical documents, the role of U.S. aid in the rapid development of economic, military, cultural, public health, medical care, and educational systems was displayed. The friendship between the two countries was also praised. After the opening ceremony, President Ma toured the exhibition, taking particular interest in such items as an antique American megaphone, medicine, traditional typewriter, theodolite, film projector, and military-issued ashtray. It is clear that American influence during the 1960s is still a vivid memory in the lives of those from the president’s generation. Many organizations made this exhibition possible, including the Republic of China Centenary Foundation, the Ministry of Defense, Academia Historica, Government Information Office, Gaoxiong City Museum, Central News Agency, National Taiwan Library, Taiwan Christian Service, Sun Yat-sen America Center, the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation, National Taiwan University Library, National Cheng Kung University Museum, Cloud Gate Dance Foundation, Chimei Cultural Foundation, Chi Lin Technology Co. Ltd., Suejia Elementary School, FTV, Chinese Taipei Film Archive, Digital Action Co. Ltd., collector Huang Daoming, and Artist Magazine, all of which made available precious documents, photos, or other objects. Taiwan and America, while geographically far apart, share a close relationship. Since the 1950s, Americans have been involved in Taiwan’s politics, economy, military, education, art, and health care. Their positive influence can be found everywhere in daily life. The aim of the exhibition was to refresh the public’s memory of the close interaction people from both countries enjoyed in earlier years, as well as to point to a continuation of this in the future.