Peace Monuments in People's Republic of China, Taiwan (Republic of China), Tibet & Mongolia

Click here for "Museums for peace: Identity of Taiwan's peace museums and human rights parks" by Ronald Chin-Jung Tsao, pp. 10.
Click here for "2-28 memorials across Taiwan." | Click here for Tibet peace monuments around the world.

Right click image to enlarge.

"Last week I posted about the Sino-Thai “tree of friendship” planted by Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in the Yunnanese border town of Jie Gao. That tree is part of a large Dai-Jingpo cultural park that is situated a few hundred metres back from the Sino-Burmese frontier. Today, I follow that initial post about the cultural park with a selection of pictures of the murals that adorn its outer walls. I only managed to photograph some of the many images that have been painted around the park - in total there must be well over a hundred different scenes. Their subject matter includes traditional dances, agricultural practices, Chinese politics, historical events and village life. Some of the images carry bilingual text – in Chinese and Dai. Linguist extraordinaire, Silas Xu, has helpfully provided translations for some of the relevant pictures. His expertise is greatly appreciated."

823 - Tang-Tubo Alliance Monument, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square, Lhasa (Tibet). "Was erected in 823 to mark the meeting between the two sides." /// "Monument inscription reads in part, 'The two sovereigns, uncle and nephew, having come to agreement that their territories be united as one, have signed this alliance of great peace to last for eternity! May God and humanity bear witness thereto so that it may be praised from generation to generation.'" /// "i kinda get the feeling that the translation u quoted is kinda biased, do any tibetan websites or sources actually translate it like that?"

May 13, 1999 - Samten Kyil / Tibetan Peace Garden, Tibet Foundation, Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, London (England). Next to the Imperial War Museum. Opened & consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Contains a "Language Pillar" ("replica of a 9th century treaty stone in Lhasa acknowledging the rights of Tibetans and Chinese to co-exist in peace") and sculptures by Hamish Horsley of New Zealand.

15th Century - Bao'ensi / Temple of Gratitude, Buddhist Pagoda known as The Porcelain Tower, South Bank of Yangtze River, Nanjing Territory (China). No longer exists, but is being reconstructed. Was 260 feet high, octagonal (with eight corners) & 97 feet in diameter. Was largest building in China. Radiated sunrays & functioned as a center of pilgrimage. Destroyed about 1860 during the Taiping Rebellion.

Date? - Friendship Gate, Pingxiang (China) & Langson (Vietnam). Ancient gate on border between China & Vietnam. ."On February 23, 2009, a ceremony marking the completion of land border demarcation between China and Vietnam was held at the Youyiguan border gate in Pingxiang City in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region."

February 6, 1924 - Goddess of Peace, The Bund, Shanghai (China). "For triumph in World War One, on February 6,1924, the completion ceremony of the 'Goddess of Peace' monument took place on the Bund. The monument was unfortunately destroyed during the later Japanese occupation."

1966 - Monument to Eternal Peace Between Japan & China, Hanaoka, Nagano Prefecture (Japan). "In the 1950s, the Japan-China Friendship Association (Nit-Chu Yuko Kyokai) excavated remains of the forced laborers who died in Hanaoka, sent them to the People’s Republic of China, and built a monument to remember the victims and atone for the atrocity."

Date? - Friendship Gate, Torugart Pass, Border between Naryn Province (Kyrgyzstan) & Xinjiang Autonomous Region (China). Gate demolished in 2002?

1985? - Millenium Bell, Yellow Crane Tower Park, Snake Mountain, Wuhan (China). In center of city overlooking theTangtze River.

1985 - Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, 418 Shuiximen Street, Jiangdongmen, Nanjing (China). Expanded in 1995 and 2005-2007. Now 25,000 square meters. Click here for Wikipedia article. Has "academic cooperation agreement" with Kyoto Museum for World Peace. Whole building resembles a broken sword when seen from the side and a plow when seen from above.

July 16, 1985 - "Maiden of Peace," Peace Symbols Zone, Nagasaki Peace Park, Nagasaki (Japan). From the People's Republic of China. "Expresses the sincere aspiration of the Chinese people for human love and the everlasting friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China."

1986 - Friendship Gate, Chinatown, H Street at 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC (USA). Gift from Beijing (China) to its sister city Washington, DC. Said to be the largest gate of its type in the world.

July 6, 1987 - Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Bejing (China). On the site where the Marco Polo Bridge Incident took place July 7-9, 1937. Member of International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP).

May 30, 1989 - Goddess of Democracy, Tiananmen Square, Beijing (China). "During the Tiananmen Square protest of 1989, Chinese student demonstrators in Beijing built a 10 m image called the Goddess of Democracy, which sculptor Tsao Tsing-yuan said was intentionally dissimilar to the Statue of Liberty to avoid being 'too openly pro-American.' At around the same time, a copy of this statue was made and displayed on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC, in a small park across the street from the Chinese Embassy [right image]." The Tiananmen sculpture lasted 5 days, the Washington one a few months.

Date? - Peace Avenue / Enkh Taivny Urgon Chuloo, Ulaanbaatar/Ulan Bator (Mongolia). "The main thoroughfare through town. Runs along the south side of Sükhbaatar Square in the government district. In the middle of the square, there is a statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar [1893-1923] on horseback. The spot was chosen because that was where Sükhbaatar's horse had urinated (a good omen) on July 8, 1921, during a gathering of the Red Army. On the north side is the Mongolian Parliament building, featuring a large statue of Chinggis Khan at the top of the front steps."

April 27, 1993 - World Peace Bell (WPB), Sükhbaatar Square, Ulan Bator (Mongolia). One of 22 WPB's placed in 15 different countries by the World Peace Bell Association of Tokyo (Japan).

February 28, 1995 - National 228 Monument, Taipei (Taiwan). Result of an international design competition. Stands in the center of the 228 Peace Memorial Park. Dedicated by president Lee Teng-hui who apologized to the victims of the 228 Incident in 1947.

1996 - 228 Peace Memorial Park, Zhongzheng district, Taipei (Taiwan). Former Taihoku Park renamed in 1996. Contains the National Taiwan Museum, the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum, and a number of memorials to victims of the 228 Incident of 1947, including the National 228 Monument.

February 28, 1997 - Taipei 228 Memorial Museum, Taipei (Taiwan). At the site of a former radio station that operated under Japanese and Kuomintang rule. Dedicated by mayor Chen Shui-bian on the 50th anniversary of the 228 Incident of 1947. Operated 1997-2000 by the private Taiwan Peace Foundation and thereafter by the Taipei city government. Not to be confused with the National 228 Memorial Museum which is 10 years younger.

September 25, 1999 - Bell of World Peace, Taipei (Taiwan). Conceived by Dr. Hong Tao Tze, President of the Federation of World Peace & Love (FOWPAL). Bell has traveled all over the world and has been photographed with many world leaders.

December 10, 1999 - Green Island Monument, Green Island (Taiwan). "Memorializes individuals who Taiwan's former rulers imprisoned there for their political beliefs during what is known as the White Terror period." Dedicated by president Lee Teng-Hui who apologized to the vicitims of Green Island. Part of the eventual Green Island Memorial Park was opened at the same time. Green Island is 33 km off Taiwan's southeast coast.

December 13, 2000 - Minnie Vautrin Memorial, Ginling Girls College, Nanjing (China). Minnie Vautrin [1886-1941], was an American missionary renowned for saving the lives of many women during the Nanjing Massacre. Click here for chronology of Ginling College & Minnie Vautrin.

Date? - Minnie Vautrin Memorial, Secor Community Building, Secor, Illinois (USA). Bench & plaque memorializing Minnie Vautrin [1886-1941], an American missionary born in Secor, IL (population 379). Renowned for saving the lives of many women at the Ginling Girls College in Nanking, China, during the Nanjing Massacre.

Date? - Peace Monument, Shanghai (China). Is this the reconstruction of the 15th Century - Bao'ensi / Temple of Gratitude?

July 23, 2001 - Pacific Rim Park #3, Yantai, Shandong Province (China). Also known as "Phoenix." Other Pacific Rim Parks are in San Diego, California (USA), Vladivostok (Russia), ) & Tijuana (Mexico).

Date? - Peace Tower, Lüshun (former Port Arthur), ShunKou District (China). "Lushun is state-grade State-level scenic spot, nature reserves, and forest park... The railway from Dalian to Lushun is 61 miles long, has nearly 100 years history from its operation. Now it takes only 30 minutes to get Lushun by bus, so people changed to take bus instead of train, the 100 years railway is getting to be forgotten by people. Now only 2 pairs of slow train on the line." (Information from "Official Tour Wed Site of Dalian Lv ShunKou District.")

November 5, 2011 - Beacon of Peace & Hope, Arkansas Inland Marine Museum (AIMM), North Little Rock, Arkansas (USA). 36-foot beacon projeting two lights at night: One for peace & one for hope. A project of Women's Action for New Directions (WAND). Construction started at the end of April 2009.

May 22, 2002 - Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, across from the Potala Palace, Lhasa (Tibet). "Celebrates the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army. The US$1.7 million, 37-meter-high spire-like concrete structure was designed by Professor Qikang of the South-East University of China. It is shaped as an abstract Mount Quomolangma (aka Mount Everest). An inscription refers to the expelling of 'imperialist' forces from Tibet in 1951... When apprized of the plans to build the memorial, the Tibetan government in exile claimed that 'the monument would serve as a daily reminder of the humiliation of the Tibetan people.' For Kate Saunders, spokeswoman for International Campaign for Tibet, the construction in this sensitive spot is a political message to Tibetans about Chinese rule over the region."

August 6, 2002 - World Peace Park, Lüshun (former Port Arthur), ShunKou District (China). "The park locates in the seaside. The park features bronze statues of Presidents and leaders of 96 nations. On each of their glass plaques is carved a peace poem. Also on display are some works of art dealing with peace as well as a 'War & Peace' stamp collection." (All information from "Official Tour Wed Site of Dalian Lv ShunKou District.")

December 10, 2002 - Green Island Human Rights Memorial Park, Green Island, Tai-Tung County (Taiwan). Site of two prisons which held political prisoners. Educational center opened in 2008. Green Island is 33 km off Taiwan's southeast coast.

December 12, 2003 - Grand Peace Bell, "Memorial Hall for Compatriots Killed in the Nanjing Massacre," Nanjing, Jiangsu Province (China). Dedicated one day before the 66th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre.

December 13, 2003 - Model of the Grand Peace Bell, Kyoto Museum for World Peace, Kyoto (Japan). Presented by the museum in Nanjing. Placed in exhibit on the Jugonen Senso / Fifteen-Year War (1931-1945).

June 6, 2004 - World Peace Statue, Memorial de Caen, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy (France). Ten meter statue of world peace dedicated on 60th anniversary of the D-Day landing in World War II. Donated "au peuple de Normandie" by China.

2005 - Cultural Revolution Museum, Shantou (China). 200 miles north of Hong Kong. Founded by Peng Qi'an, a victim of the Cultural Revolution. Left photo shows "granite slab bearing images of Mao Zedong & Deng Xiaoping at the museum entrance. Inscription reads: 'History has clearly decided the Great Cultural Revolution was a mistake.'" As discussed in Smith, Patrick (2010), this may be the only place in China preserving the memory of the "Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution" [1966-1976].

2006 - "John Rabe & International Safety Zone Memorial Hall," Nanjing University, Nanjing (China). Contains "John Rabe International Research & Exchange Center for Peace and Reconciliation." John Rabe [1882-1950], "the good Nazi," was a German businessman who is best known for his efforts to stop the atrocities of the Japanese army during the Nanking Massacre.

July 15-26, 2006 - Peace Bell, 4th World Choir Games (WCG), Xiamen (China). "The Choir Olympic Idea reached a further apogee in the up-and-coming South Chinese metropolis of Xiamen. With their perfect organization and identification of the populace with the World Choir Games, the hosts offered an event of superlatives in every sense of the word. Never before was an event of the international choral scene given such attention by politics and the media as in Xiamen. For the first time a choir of ambassadors from 80 countries sang at the opening ceremony. Patron: Zhang Changping, Vice Governor of the Fujian Province.

February 28, 2007 - National 228 Memorial Museum, 54 Nanhai Road, Taipei (Taiwan). Dedicated on the 60th anniversary of the 228 Incident of 1947. Not to be confused with the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum which is 10 years older.

2007 - Peace Park, National 228 Memorial Park, Taipei (Taiwan). Center is an underground "bamboo room," a sunken courtyard filled with bamboo plants that measures 350 feet by 130 feet and is 33 feet high. The park is named for an incident on Feb. 28, 1947, when Taiwan was transferred from Japanese rule to the Republic of China. How related to National 228 Memorial Museum?

2007 - Taipei Human Rights Culture Park, Jingmei, near Taipei (Taiwan). "For research on human rights in Taiwan & Asia." Site of former Jingmei Military Detention Centre. Dedicated by president Chen Shui-bian on Human Rights Day. Jingmei is in southwest suburban Taipei.

July 3, 2007 - Headquarters building, African Union (AU), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). On site of an infamous prison where former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam executed 60 top officials of the late Emperor Haile Selassie. Fully financed by the Chinese government for around $150 million. "We wish everyone will like it," said Chinese architect Ren Lizhi at the opening of the 9th AU Summit.

October 29, 2009 - China-US Peace & Friendship Sculpture, Recreation Center, Georgia State University (GSU), Piedmont Avenue & Decatur Street, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). One of six such sculptures in the US & China. The words "peace" and "friendship" are engraved in Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Inscription: "We casted peace and friendship, the most desired and cherished words of man kind into this sculpture as a present to the hometown of President Jimmy Carter from thousands of miles away, China. This sculpture is to commemorate the 30th anniversary of establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the United States, which symbolizes the sincere hopes and best wishes of Chinese people for lasting peace and friendship between our two countries."

July 15-26, 2010 - Peace Bell, 6th World Choir Games (WCG), Shaoxing (China). "Grand & of primitive simplicity, which represents the dignity of the Chinese nation. The symmetry & stability symbolize the spirit of harmonious development in the world. Topped with a knob with the shape of Pu Lao, which as the legend said liked singing & was one of the nine sons of the Dragon. The shoulder part of the bell is decorated with relief sculpture of lotus petals which symbolizes Shaoxing People’s wish for world peace. The emblem of the WCG & the emblem of the 6th Shaoxing WCG are carved in relief on the front side of the bell, where the characters of 'Shaoxing 2010' can also be found, while 'Peace Bell' written in both English & Chinese is on the back of the bell to express its meanings. Decorated around with the majestic dragon, which is the symbol of the Chinese nation. 25 nails stand for 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Shaoxing. Besides, the ornaments of the chime-shaped bell are all objects unearthed from Shaoxing, which are the symbols for music & peace. The bell, 120cm in height, 80cm in diameter & 400kg in weight is cast by modern scientific method combined with traditional technology with the craft effect of black spots & verdigris." /// First rung by selected participants form six countries: from China, Indonesia, Australia, Austria, South Africa & USA.

August 2011? - Peace Bell, Kinmen Island (Taiwan). 2 meters high & weighs 5.3 metric tons, designed by Taiwanese architect Kris Yao & inscribed with the word 'peace' in more than 100 languages. Cast from copper & metal from the cannon shells fired in the battle. Along the sides of the bell are the small ridges that symbolize the obstacles that are likely to arise in the pursuit of peace. Photo shows President Ma Ying-jeou; former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk; Song Kosal, a youth ambassador from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines; and a veteran of the 1958 battle during ceremony to mark the 53rd anniversary of the 823 Artillery Bombardment during which China fired more than 470,000 shells at Kinmen over a period of 44 days in 1958. (Kinmen was formerly called Quemoy. de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.)

August 28, 2011 - Statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington, DC (USA). Dedication postponed due to Hurricane Irene. NYTimes, May 18, 2008: "Twenty-eight feet tall & carved from Chinese granite, the statue [sculpted by Lei Yixin] could resist almost any attack but the one that came recently from the panel whose approval it needs to proceed. The US Commission of Fine Arts, which must sign off on every inch of the $100 million memorial, from typeface to tree variety to color scheme, said in a letter that 'the colossal scale & Social Realist style of the proposed sculpture recalls a genre of political sculpture that has recently been pulled down in other countries.'"

August 10, 2013 - Pacific Rim Park #7, Kaohsiung (Taiwan). Seventh Pacific Rim Park. Also known as "Pacific Birth." Seventh of seven parks sponsored by the Pacific Rim Park Project of San Diego, California (USA)."Led by iconic artist James Hubbell [of San Diego, California] & more than 30 architecture students from around the Pacific. The new park was designed & built in only four weeks, from July 13 to Aug. 10, and connected participants from eight different countries: allowing them to see past cultural and political differences and work together toward compassion, understanding & acceptance as expressed through building a public space of beauty and intent."

Sepember 2, 2014 - Jewish Refugee Memorial Wall, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, Tilanqiao, Shanghai (China). "Acknowledges the 13,732 people who fled Europe to escape persecution by the Nazis during World War II. A statue of six Jewish people standing beside a 37-meter-long, 2.5-meter-high copper wall, on which has been etched the names of all the Jewish people known to have taken shelter in Shanghai. The statue symbolizes the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust, its creator, Chinese-American artist He Ning, told a press conference... He said he got the idea for a name wall in 2002, when he & Chen Jian, who is now the curator of the museum, heard that a planned meeting of Shanghai Jewish refugees in San Francisco had to be canceled as most of them had died. 'I was very sad,' He said. 'It seemed wrong that history was dying out with the people.' It was not until the refugees museum opened in 2007 - on the former site of the Ohel Moshe Synagogue - that the two men began making plans for a permanent memorial..."

Date? - "Statue of 'Peace," World Sculpture Park, Changchun (China). "From a distance, looks like a statue of a human hand. It's just great shape almost as tall as a human body. This statue is unique because the shape of the hand with three fingers folded & middle finger index finger too upright. Yes, this sculpture is shaped like human fingers to symbolize peace. ...made by Joseph de Angelis of bronze material. The exterior of the metal wire wrapped around the statue in all parts of the statue." [See other de Angelis stulpture in Monroe, Michigan (USA).]

December 2, 2015 - Comfort Women Memorial, Liji Alley, Nanijing (China). "Dedicated to the Chinese 'comfort women' of World War II... Incredibly, it is only the first memorial of its kind in China to specifically commemorate the many female victims of Japanese military brothels. ...covers more than 3,000 square metres & is housed in a grouping of eight buildings that was the actual site of a former military brothel run by the invading Japanese more than 70 years ago... The brothel was opened at the end of 1937 & closed in 1945, and is the largest former 'comfort station' still standing in the city..." /// Information courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek (Pax Christi International).

Future - International Peace Park, (China/Pakistan). Park proposed for both sides of the border, including Khunjerab National Park in Pakistan which is one of the highest altitude parks in the world.