Taiwan, an island off the southeastern coast of mainland China and home to 24 million people, has had a long history of being governed by overseas powers.įor five decades, Taiwan was under the control of Japanese colonial rulers. Tensions between mainland China and Taiwan have risen significantly in the last few years – Beijing claims self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of military force.Īctivists and onlookers say the “white terror” period only highlights how difficult it has been to win democracy on the island – and how much Taiwan potentially stands to lose. The Taiwan government estimates that between 18,000 and 28,000 died during the uprising, while another 10,000 died in the subsequent four decades.Īs Taiwan marks 75 years since the event, interest in the island’s painful journey to democracy is growing – as are fears that it could be taken away.Įxperts have warned that Beijing could be taking notes from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for a similar move towards Taiwan. The date is also shorthand for its popular name – the 228 incident. Since 1995, the “white terror” has been commemorated each year on February 28, the date the government violently suppressed a 1947 uprising in the capital Taipei, considered to be the start of the crackdown. Ceng Shou Yi/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesĬhina's leaders may be watching Ukraine with an eye on Taiwan A Taiwanese soldier looks on during a rehearsal for the flyby performance for Taiwan's National Day celebration last year.

Taiwan porcelain marks