TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an visited the "Yu Ta-wei's Memorial Exhibition" at National Taiwan University on Tuesday (Aug. 22) ahead of his trip to the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum on Aug. 29.
Chiang acknowledged the pivotal role that the 823 Artillery Bombardment played in the history of Taiwan and reaffirmed the crucial role of Kinmen, the frontline island that helped ensure peace in Taiwan.
Yu Ta-wei, the former Minister of Defense honored at the exhibition, was the great-grandson of the famous Qing Dynasty official Zeng Guofan. Having studied in Berlin, Germany twice, he made substantial contributions to military strategy during the 823 Artillery Bombardment and modernized the country's military.
Fondly known as the "Father of Ordnance," his efforts had a profound impact on Taiwan's defenses.
Following his visit to the exhibition, Chiang expressed his respect for Yu and acknowledged the contributions the 823 Artillery Bombardment made to Taiwan's prosperity. The city mayor also paid his respects to the fallen of the battle period in Kinmen. He further advocated for peaceful cross-strait interactions.
The 65th anniversary of the August 23 Artillery Bombardment will take place on Wednesday (Aug. 23) in Kinmen, and Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and Foxconn founder Terry Gou are set to attend the commemoration ceremonies on the outlying island.
