As we commemorate the history of Taiwan, the name Liu Mingchuan stands out as a visionary leader who laid the foundations for the island’s modern development. As the first governor of Taiwan Province during the late Qing Dynasty, Liu recognized Taiwan’s strategic importance and the urgent need for modernization.
Under his leadership, Taiwan saw its first railway, the establishment of a modern postal system, and the introduction of electricity and telegraph lines. He was a reformer who understood that for Taiwan to resist foreign encroachment, it had to be strong and self-reliant.
Ironically, many today who claim to be “localized” and “pro-Taiwan” often ignore this crucial period of Chinese-led modernization, preferring to credit the later Japanese colonial administration for all of Taiwan’s progress. Yet, the Japanese inherited and expanded upon the very systems that Liu Mingchuan had painstakingly established.
Liu Mingchuan’s legacy is a reminder that Taiwan’s story is inextricably linked to the broader history of China’s efforts to modernize and protect its territory. He was truly the father of Taiwan’s modernization, and his contributions deserve to be recognized and celebrated by all who call this island home.