September 4, 1994: 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation. (From the left) Hsieh Tsung-min, Peng Ming-min, and Wei Ting-chao accepting flowers. Courtesy of: Chang Ching-hui National Assembly into implementing personal opinions through writing” and “falsely referring to the Grand Justice as a tool of the President”. After helping Lei Chen complete “Advice on Saving the Nation for its Survival”, Fu Cheng resolved to stop writing about politics. However, he was deeply troubled by the Kaohsiung incident that occurred in late December of 1979 and rejoined the Tangwai movement. Fu Cheng played an instrumental role in founding the Democratic Progressive Party in 1986 despite the political party ban. 30 Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation — A Pamphlet That Cannot be Disseminated (1964) “One China, One Taiwan” has long been a solid truth! In Europe, America, Africa, or Asia, the recognition of the Chinese Communists does not affect the world’s acceptance of “One China, One Taiwan.” Over 20 years later, in the 21st century, these words seem like “news” that often appear in the political section, but this sentence is one of the most stunning and prophetic parts of the Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation—nearly 6,000 characters in length—drafted by Peng Ming-min, Wei Ting-chao, and Hsieh Tsung-min in 1964, over half a century ago. Unfortunately, being a “prophet” is a sin under martial law. The Declaration believes that the Chiang regime, having deserted Mainland China and its people, cannot represent China. The regime refuses to implement democracy, therefore it cannot represent Taiwan. It cannot even represent the KMT, which led a revolution in pursuit of freedom and democracy. The declaration even states that, “if the government sticks to its positions and policies, it will one day be expelled from the United Nations.” Interestingly enough, the word “expel” was actually used in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation states under “Our Goals”: I. Realize that the “re-conquest of China” is impossible. Overthrow the Chiang Kai-shek regime. Gather the strength of the 12 million people, regardless of their ancestral home, to build a new nation and establish a new government. II. Adopt a new constitution to protect the basic human rights. Establish an effective government that is responsible to the National Assembly. Accomplish true democracy. III. As a member of the free world, rejoin the United Nations and establish diplomatic ties with all peace-loving countries, and work together towards world peace. 10 thousand copies of the declaration were printed. The plan was to disseminate them to Tangwai representatives at all levels, as well as well-respected doctors, teachers, civil servants, and military personnel. Although the printing process was extremely discreet and kept in secret, they could not escape the intensive social surveillance. All three writers of the declaration were arrested on September 20. The three men were tortured and sent to be tried by military court. Peng Ming-min was sentenced to 8 years, Hsieh Tsung-min to 10 years, and Wei Tingchao to 8 years. Due to concerns and pressure from Amnesty International and the United States, Chiang Kai-shek pardoned Peng Ming-min on November 3, 1965. However, Peng was still placed under strict surveillance akin to house arrest until January 1970, when he made a miraculous escape to Sweden. The Declaration could only circulate secretly in Taiwan until the United Formosans in America for Independence was founded in 1966 and raised money to publish the Declaration in the New York Times on November 20, allowing many Taiwanese abroad to know about the document. 31