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Photography documentary of the Dachen Evacuation

Old pictures tell true stories

Old pictures speak louder than a thousand words. During the historical evacuation of the Dachen Islands that happened 60 years ago, over 10,000 Dachen residents were evacuated safely to the Port of Keelung under the supervision of the R.O.C. Since then, the Dachen residents have become part of the collective memories of the Taiwanese people. 

Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai:  

In fact, the effects of being driven away from home by that war can still be felt today. This exhibition is held to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the evacuation. Sixty years have past. If we don’t treasure our own history, no one else would preserve it for us. We organized this exhibition to encourage others to treasure Taiwan’s past.

Search for survivors

Although it’s been 60 years, the Dachen evacuation will forever be etched in the memories of the Dachen compatriots and their descendents. The Ministry of Culture also hopes to get in touch with more Dachen compatriots in Taiwan through this exhibition.

Senior Advisor to the President Hu Wei-chen:

At the evacuation of Zhoushan Island in 1950, many anti-Communist forces, guerilla fighters, and soldiers traveled to the southeast Chinese coast and other places close to Dachen Islands. General Hu Zongnan was the one who suggested the R.O.C. government to organize the guerrilla fighters to fight against armed Chinese Communists.

Minister of Transportation Yeh Kuang-shih:

Between the 1960s and 1970s, I recalled that to improve the livelihoods of the relocated Dachen residents, the R.O.C. government arranged for Dachen residents to become sailors. Many of my elder relatives, who worked as sailors, jumped ship at the United States or Europe at that time. They started as part-time workers at restaurants and eventually become restaurant owners. Now, you can see Dachen residents at almost every Chinese restaurant in the U.S. This is the Dachen people's determined will to survive.

A photography documentary

Over 100 precious photos on display at the exhibition titled “Islands, Wharves, New Hometown: Evacuation of the Dachen Islands” were taken by the Central News Agency's reporters, who have risked their lives in the war zone. People are welcomed to visit the exhibition at the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall from June 17 to July 16.