Written by Ming-sho Ho.
Image credit: Brian Hioe.
A successful social movement leads to tangible policy results, rendering the need for commemorating its origins unnecessary as the changes become ingrained in society. Conversely, a failed movement, especially one with lasting traumatic consequences, necessitates ritualised events for the sake of “lest we forget.” The candlelight vigils held by Hongkongers for the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre, forcibly halted in 2020 due to the national security law, exemplify this dynamic. Hong Kong had provided significant financial support to the student movement in Beijing, and the unfulfilled quest for democracy in the mainland remains closely intertwined with its political future.
Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement of 2014 was a large-scale civil disobedience involving the occupation of the national legislature for more the three weeks. It originated from a protest against a free trade agreement (Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, CSSTA), which would deepen Taiwan’s economic ties with China. The incident was peacefully concluded, and in its wake, further economic liberalisation was halted. Moreover, the ruling Kuomintang took a series of electoral defeats, paving the way for the Democratic Progressive Party’s rise to power in 2016. In retrospect, the Sunflower Movement marked a pivotal moment, showcasing Taiwanese resolve in deciding on their own destiny. If the Wild Lily Movement of 1990 accelerated Taiwan’s transition to democracy, the Sunflower Movement played a crucial role in safeguarding democracy against the influence of the “China factor.”
Considering its historical importance, it’s no wonder that numerous commemorative reports and events were held to mark the tenth anniversary of the Sunflower Movement in March 2024. Examining these activities offers insight into the messages intended by their organisers for the audience.
Firstly, the anniversary serves as an opportune moment to reassert the core values and demands of the movement. In the lead-up to the general election in January 2014, Ko Wen-je, the presidential nominee of the Taiwan People’s Party, unexpectedly proposed reviving the CSSTA (Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement), with Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih soon echoing this stance. Although the discussion faded amidst other contentious campaign topics, it raised concerns among Sunflower Movement activists that their achievements could be undone. In the official statement by the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union (TEDU), the alliance that spearheaded resistance to the CSSTA in 2013, there was a strong emphasis on “opposing the reactivation of both the CSSTA and the CSGTA (Cross-Strait Goods Trade Agreement)” and “rejecting China’s political and economic coercion.”
During the evening rally on March 18, 2024, held at the Legislative Yuan’s Jinan Road entrance, TEDU convener Lai Chung-chiang delivered a comprehensive speech evaluating the achievements and limitations of the Sunflower Movement. Lai noted that three out of its four major demands had been met: (1) the CSSTA was not ratified; (2) the codification of cross-strait negotiations was achieved through a 2019 amendment to the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (article 5-3), which imposed stringent procedures on political negotiations with China; (3) the demand for “enacting the law on cross-strait negotiation before reviewing the CSSTA” was indirectly fulfilled as campaigners successfully opposed legal drafts with “low-standard” procedural requirements and no new cross-strait agreements were made after the CSSTA. The only unfulfilled demand was for “a citizens’ conference on the constitution.” Consequently, Lai urged all political parties to collaborate with Taiwan’s NGOs to launch a fresh round of dialogue on constitutional revision.
The second goal of commemoration is to give voice to the participants. Due to the expansive scale of the Sunflower Movement, it attracted a remarkably diverse range of people, and their position in the contentious episode resulted in diversified experiences. Additionally, given that many participants were students or young workers, their intense engagement in movement politics at a formative stage of their lives is likely to have deep implications for their future paths. Initium Media released an in-depth report focusing on five activists whose involvement in various movements significantly influenced their current paths. Meanwhile, The Reporter featured an article on individuals who participated in the March 23-24 Incident of Occupying the Executive Yuan, highlighting how their experiences of trauma and enduring legal battles continue to impact their lives. Across these poignant narratives, a recurring theme emerges: the intertwining of personal lives with public activism.
In order to give justice to the diverse experiences of participants, TEDU organised a workshop on March 18. This full-day event comprised 13 sections, each spotlighting the stories of a range of individuals, such as artists, first aiders, digital activists, parents, and more. At the evening rally, there was an on-site bulletin that encouraged people to write and share their reflections. Additionally, a separate workshop held the day prior featured five students who, at the time of the Sunflower Movement, were too young to participate but later found inspiration from it. Clearly, the organisers of these events attempted to present an inclusive platform that allowed different voices to emerge.
Lastly, another task of commemoration consists in establishing the movement’s contemporary relevance. If the Sunflower Movement symbolised the vibrant and youthful defence of Taiwanese democracy in the face of an imminent external threat, its legacy continues to echo elsewhere in the world. Drawing parallels between past events and current struggles serves to highlight the legacy of the movement. At a rally on March 18, a Ukrainian speaker was invited to share her country’s story, prompting the crowd to chant “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine) in solidarity. Similarly, the Judicial Reform Foundation commemorated the movement’s anniversary with screenings of the documentary “She’s in Jail,” focusing on Chow Hang-tung, a Hong Kong activist who remained steadfast in her democratic convictions even in her incarceration. Establishing the historical significance of these events is crucial to preserving their memory. On March 22, the National Taiwan University Graduate Student Association hosted a forum featuring participants from the Wild Lily Movement and Sunflower Movement, emphasising the vital role of student activism in Taiwan’s democracy.
Beyond their immediate impacts, all great social movements have a long afterlife. Commemorative events serve as a means of preserving the collective memory of past passion by reaffirming core values, amplifying participant voices, and highlighting their ongoing relevance in contemporary society.
Ming-sho Ho is a professor at the Department of Sociology at National Taiwan University. His research interests include social movement, labour, and environmental issues.
This article was published as part of a special issue on ‘Tenth Anniversary of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movements‘.
Taiwan Insight 