Shih Ming-teh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shih Ming-teh MLY
施明德
Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party
In office May 15, 1994 – March 23, 1996 Acting：November 29, 1993–May 15, 1994
Secretary-general	Chiang Peng-chien→Su Tseng-chang→Chiou I-jen
Preceded by	Hsu Hsin-liang
Succeeded by	Chang Chun-hung（Acting）
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office February 1, 1993 – January 31, 1999
Constituency	Tainan
In office February 1, 1999 – January 31, 2002
Constituency	Taipei North
Personal details
Born	(1941-01-15) January 15, 1941 (age 84) Takao City, Takao Prefecture, Japanese Taiwan
Nationality	Empire of Japan (1923–1945) Republic of China (Taiwan) (1945–2020)
Political party	Democratic Progressive Party (1986–2000) Home Party (2007–?) Nonpartisan Politician (present)
Spouses	Linda Arrigo (1978-1995) Chen Chia-chun (present)
Occupation	Politician, human rights activist
Website	http://www.nori.org.tw/
Chinese name
Chinese	施明德
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shī Míngdé Wade–Giles Shih1 Ming2-te2 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Si Bêng-tek

Shih Ming-teh (Chinese: 施明德; born January 15, 1941), also known as Nori Shih, is an important figure in Taiwan. He is known as a politician and a champion for human rights. He spent over 25 years in prison for his beliefs.

In 1962, when he was 21, Shih was arrested. He was accused of trying to change the government. He had formed a study group called the "Taiwan Independence League." He was sentenced to life in prison. In 1975, his sentence was shortened to 15 years. He was set free on June 16, 1977.

After his release, he joined the Tangwai movement. This group was "outside the party" because the Kuomintang was the only legal political party in Taiwan then. He became a reporter and married Linda Gail Arrigo. In 1979, he helped organize a big rally for democracy. This event became known as the Kaohsiung Incident. He was arrested again and sentenced to life in prison. In 1984, Lech Wałęsa, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, nominated Shih for the Peace Prize.

In 1987, Chiang Ching-kuo ended martial law (military rule) and offered Shih freedom. But Shih refused to accept it. He wanted to be released without conditions. He was finally set free on May 20, 1990. In total, he spent 25 years in prison. He was in solitary confinement for 13 years and went on hunger strike for over four years.

In 1993, he was chosen to lead the Democratic Progressive Party, which was now a legal opposition party. He also served as a legislator three times. In 2000, he left the Democratic Progressive Party. He wanted a "Grand Reconciliation" in Taiwan's politics.

In 2006, Shih led a huge protest called Million Voices Against Corruption, President Chen Must Go. He wanted President Chen Shui-bian to resign because of corruption accusations. Shih led a continuous sit-in protest in Taipei. He promised to stay until President Chen resigned or his term ended in 2008. The protest ended in April 2007.

Shih was a very important leader in the Tangwai movement. He helped Taiwan become a democracy. Some people even call him "Taiwan's Mandela."

Early Life and Activism

Growing Up in Taiwan

Shih Ming-teh was born in 1941. His father, Shih Kuo-tsui, was a well-known doctor of Chinese medicine.

In February 1947, Shih Ming-teh saw the February 28 Incident at Kaohsiung Station. This was a violent event where many people were killed. Student leaders were accused of starting riots. Some were even executed. Students took weapons and fought with guards.

In 1957, he started high school in Kaohsiung. In 1959, he joined the ROC Army after not passing his college exam. He passed the tests for artillery school. He sometimes said he wanted to change the government by force as an army officer.

First Time in Prison

In 1962, Shih was arrested. He was accused of being part of the "Formosa Independence Movement." More than 30 other people, mostly students, were also arrested. This included his two brothers, Shih Ming-cheng and Shih Ming-hsiung.

In 1964, Shih was sentenced to life in prison. He was also stripped of his civil rights forever. He was treated roughly and lost some teeth. He also had spinal damage.

The Kuomintang government saw Shih as a very dangerous political prisoner. They kept him from doing any work that would connect him to the outside world. This gave him time to study. Shih focused on philosophy, history, and international law. He also studied linguistics and Japanese. He became a very strong person in prison.

In the 1970s, Taiwan's government faced problems internationally. China took Taiwan's seat at the United Nations. Then, the United States started official relations with Beijing. There was a plan for a rebellion in Taiyuan prison. Many political prisoners wanted to declare Taiwan's independence. In 1970, five prisoners tried to escape. They were caught soon after. The government believed Shih was a leader of this uprising. They kept him isolated.

In 1974, after 12 years in prison, Shih's first wife asked for a divorce. In 1975, Chiang Kai-shek died. His son, Chiang Ching-kuo, became the new leader. He started a policy of being more lenient. On June 16, 1977, Shih was released after serving 15 years.

Leading the Democracy Movement

The Kaohsiung Incident

During Chiang Ching-kuo's time as president, the government stopped political opposition. Shih Ming-teh created a "party without a name." This was because people were not allowed to form new groups freely. In 1978, Shih became active in the Tangwai movement. In 1979, this group started the Meilitao Magazine. Shih became its general manager. Around this time, he started using the English nickname "Nori."

On December 10, 1979, the Tangwai group held a rally in Kaohsiung. They were celebrating Human Rights Day. The rally did not have official permission. Police got involved and clashed with the protestors. This event became known as the Kaohsiung Incident. It was a very important moment for Taiwan's democracy.

Three days later, Shih escaped dramatically. A dentist, Chang Wen-ying, performed plastic surgery on him. This was to change his appearance so he could leave the country. Shih was later caught with the dentist. He was sentenced to life in prison for the second time.

During his trial in 1980, Shih was brave. He said, "Taiwan should be independent. In fact, it already is. It has been for 30 years and is known as the Republic of China." He also demanded an end to the government's control over politics and the media. He wanted an end to martial law.

Second Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes

In 1983, one of Shih's friends, Chen Wen-chen, was killed. Shih Ming-teh started a one-month hunger strike. He believed the secret police had ordered the killing.

In 1985, Shih started a hunger strike that lasted a very long time. He demanded an end to martial law and political killings. He also wanted a democratic system. He asked for all political prisoners from the Kaohsiung Incident to be freed. Shih was sent to the hospital. He was force-fed through a tube for four and a half years during his protest.

On July 15, 1987, the government ended 38 years of martial law. President Chiang Ching-kuo offered to reduce sentences for prisoners. Shih refused the offer. In 1988, Shih went on another hunger strike with his brother. His brother died, but Shih survived.

Freedom at Last

On May 20, 1990, the new president, Lee Teng-hui, became president. He ordered a special release for all Kaohsiung Incident prisoners. Shih tore up his release document. He demanded to be set free without any conditions. When President Lee said the Kaohsiung trials were invalid, Shih finally accepted his freedom. He was released as an innocent person. After gaining his freedom, he joined the Democratic Progressive Party, which was now legal.

Political Career and Later Life

Serving in Government

In 1992, Shih was elected as a legislator for Tainan County. This was Taiwan's first free direct election for legislators.

From 1994 to 1996, Shih was chosen as the Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party. During this time, he said that "Taiwan is already an independent nation." He believed there was no need to officially declare independence. He also suggested a "Grand Reconciliation" for Taiwan's politics. He was re-elected as a legislator in 1996. He tried to become the head of the Legislative Yuan but did not win.

On March 23, 1996, Taiwan held its first direct presidential election. The Democratic Progressive Party candidate lost. Shih Ming-teh resigned as party chief. He then focused on writing the "Meilitao Oral History Records."

Front row, L-R: Shih, Lin Yi-hsiung, Hsu Hsin-liang in 1992

In 1997, Shih was accused of breaking a law about protests. He had organized a protest in 1992 asking for direct presidential elections. Huang Hsin-chieh, Hsu Hsin-liang, and Lin Yi-hsiung went to prison with Shih for 50 days. This was the third time Shih was imprisoned, even though he was a legislator. He was released after 41 days.

In 1998, Shih was re-elected as a legislator for Taipei City. He continued his work on the "Meilitao Oral History Records." He interviewed 200 people. The stories became a four-volume book. This book is the most complete history of Taiwan from 1970 to 1990. Shih did this work himself, using his own money and time.

Leaving the Party and New Ideas

In 2000, Chen Shui-bian was elected president. Shih congratulated the party leader. He said that his childhood dream of removing the Kuomintang government was complete. So, he would leave the political party. President Chen asked Shih to be a senior political advisor. Shih refused.

Shih believed President Chen was leading the country poorly. He thought Chen was ignoring the majority party in the Legislative Yuan. Shih left the party. He then helped start the "Shan (Mountain) Alliance." Their goal was to create a plan for Taiwan's future.

Shih ran as an independent candidate twice, in 2001 and 2004. He lost both times. He suggested a parliamentary political system for Taiwan. He hoped this would help solve political differences.

In 2002, Shih ran for Mayor of Kaohsiung City. He wanted to turn the city into a free port, like Hong Kong. He also wanted direct shipping links with Chinese ports. He felt the political divisions were too strong. He decided to withdraw from the race three days before the election.

In 2003, Shih Ming-teh was a visiting scholar at George Mason University. He researched a "One China: European Union Model." He thought this could help solve problems between Taiwan and China. He also suggested changing the constitution to a parliamentary system. He hoped this would end the political fighting in Taiwan.

In 2005, National Taiwan University started the "Shih Ming-te Lecture" series. It focuses on peace and understanding. In 2006, Frederik Willem de Klerk, a former president of South Africa, spoke with Shih Ming-teh. They discussed how South Africa achieved peace and what Taiwan could learn.

In 2015, Shih announced he wanted to run for president in 2016. He suggested a "Broad One China Framework." In this idea, China and Taiwan would govern one legal entity separately. Both governments could join international groups. They would not use military force against each other. Shih ended his campaign in September. He could not meet the requirements to run in the election.

Million Voices Against Corruption Campaign

The Protest Against President Chen

On August 9, 2006, Shih wrote an open letter to President Chen Shui-bian. President Chen's family members were accused of corruption. Shih asked Chen to resign. He wanted Chen to show strength and respect public opinion. It was interesting because Chen Shui-bian had been Shih's lawyer after the Kaohsiung Incident.

On August 12, 2006, Shih started the "Million Voices Against Corruption-Chen Must Go" campaign. He said people could not stand so much corruption. Shih asked supporters to donate NT$100 (about US$3). This was a symbol of their commitment. He promised to lead a protest until Chen Shui-bian resigned. By August 22, 2006, they had received enough money from over one million people. The donations were quickly stopped, and protest plans began.

On September 1, 2006, the protest began. It was a rainy day. Over 300,000 people gathered in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei. Most protestors wore red shirts. They did not display controversial flags or political symbols.

On September 15, 2006, Shih Ming-teh moved the protest to Taipei Railway Station. A large number of protestors surrounded the Presidential Building. The China Post reported over 800,000 people joined. The police estimated 300,000.

On September 22, 2006, Shih said he would not form a new political party. He would also not negotiate with former president Lee Teng-hui. He would stay with the red-shirted protestors. On November 20, 2006, Shih Ming-teh urged Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou to resign. Ma was also accused of corruption. Shih said there should not be different rules for corruption accusations. Ma was later found not guilty.

On November 30, 2006, the "Million Voices Against Corruption, Chen Must Go Campaign" held its last night of protest. Shih Ming-teh later traveled to Thailand for interviews.

On December 7, 2006, a case against President Chen and his wife was ongoing. Campaign organizers said Taiwan needed to return to normal. But Shih said he would protest until Chen resigned. On April 1, 2007, Shih announced the end of his protest. He began preparing for the next stage of the anti-Chen campaign. This involved supporting candidates for the next elections.

Works

Shih Ming-teh has written several books, sharing his experiences and ideas:

• Death Row Inmates (2021) – His memories from 1962-1964.
• Spring in a Prison Cell (2006, 1989, 1992) – A collection of his essays.
• The Selfless Devotee (2002).
• A timeless theme: dialogs between Shih Ming-te and Wei Jingsheng (2002).
• Reading Shih Ming-te (2001).
• Shih Ming-te's Political Testament: The Formosa Incident Hearings (1988).
• Shih Ming-te's Three-year Term in the Legislative Yuan (1995).

See also

• Politics of the Republic of China
• Kaohsiung Incident
• Million Voices Against Corruption, President Chen Must Go