 Free China Journal cover | |
| Editor | Hu Shih |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Government of the Republic of China |
| First issue | November 1949 |
| Final issue | 1960 |
| Language | Chinese |
| Free China Journal | |
|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 自由中國半月刊 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zìyóu Zhōnggúo Bànyùekān |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Liberalism in China |
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Free China Journal (Chinese: 自由中國半月刊) was a periodical sponsored by the Kuomintang that was published in Taiwan after the Kuomintang retreat following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War.
The first issue appeared on 20 December 1949. The publisher was Hu Shih while the director and founder was Lei Chen, a member of the Kuomintang who was also close to Chiang Kai-shek.[1] The publication was sponsored by the Kuomintang-led government to act as a forum for free thought and discussion against the People's Republic of China. Its popularity soared as the editors and writers analyzed political situations at the time, sometimes even advising or criticizing the government in earnest.
The publication ceased in 1960 when the government forced a shut-down after Lei criticized Chiang Kai-shek for changing the constitution in order to allow him to run as President beyond the two terms previously mandated and sought to form a coalition opposition party with influential native Taiwanese politicians.[2][3] Lei was also accused of promoting the formation of a "Democratic State of Chinese Taiwan" (中華臺灣民主國) to counter the People's Republic of China. The final issue was published on September 1, 1960.[4]
- ^ Chou, Wan-yao (2015). A New Illustrated History of Taiwan. Taipei: SMC Publishing. p. 359. ISBN 978-957-638-784-5.
- ^ Chou, Wan-yao (2015). A New Illustrated History of Taiwan. Taipei: SMC Publishing. pp. 360–361. ISBN 978-957-638-784-5.
- ^ Yang, Dominic Meng-Hsuan (2021). The Great Exodus from China. Cambridge University Press. p. 117. ISBN 9781108784306.
- ^ "Free China Journal". Encyclopedia of Taiwan. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.