The German Institute in Taipei has strongly condemned Taiwanese activist Sung Chien-liang for displaying Nazi symbols during a public appearance, calling his actions “shameless.” Sung, affiliated with the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party, wore a Nazi armband, held a Chinese translation of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” and performed a Nazi salute outside the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, where he was summoned for questioning over allegations of signature fraud in a recall campaign against lawmaker Lee Kuan-cheng.
Germany’s de facto representation in Taiwan emphasized the gravity of Sung’s actions, stating, “Millions of people were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi regime, and the Holocaust is the most heinous crime in the history of mankind.” The institute expressed gratitude for the support received from Taiwanese society and highlighted that such displays are illegal in Germany.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also condemned Sung’s behavior, describing it as “highly inappropriate” and rejecting Nazi symbols as representations of prejudice and hatred that led to the Holocaust. Maya Yaron, Representative of the Israeli Economic and Culture Office in Taipei, echoed these sentiments, stating that the symbols “represent hate, racism, and extreme violence.”
In response, the opposition KMT distanced itself from Sung’s actions, reaffirming its commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The party accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of manipulating public opinion and distorting history. The KMT and DPP, Taiwan’s two main political parties, hold differing views on the island’s political relations, with the KMT favoring closer ties with mainland China and the DPP advocating for stronger relations with the US and Japan.
Sung’s actions have sparked widespread criticism and reignited debates about the use of Nazi symbols in political discourse, as well as the broader implications for Taiwan’s political landscape.
