Taiwan to end honour guard performances at Chiang Kai-shek statue

TAIPEI: Taiwanese soldiers will stop performing elaborate changing of the guard ceremonies around a statue of the late president Chiang Kai-shek to avoid “worshipping authoritarianism”, the government said on Friday (Jul 12).

The fate of the 6.3m bronze statue has long been the subject of fierce and polarising debate in Taiwan, which has transformed from an autocracy under Chiang into one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies.

The changing of the guard there each hour is a major tourist draw, but starting Monday, the ceremony will be moved…