Funeral of Lee Teng-hui
Memorial
VenueTaipei Guest House
Date1–16 August 2020
Funeral Service
VenueChe-lam Presbyterian Church [zh]
Date14 August 2020
Farewell Service
VenueChapel, Aletheia University
Date19 September 2020
Burial
VenueWuzhi Mountain Military Cemetery
Date7 October 2020

Lee Teng-hui, former president of the Republic of China, died of septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction at Taipei Veterans General Hospital on 30 July 2020.

President Tsai Ing-wen instructed a memorial to be set up at the Taipei Guest House from 1 to 16 August and the national flag to be flown at half-mast for three days starting 31 July. Lee was cremated on 14 August after a private funeral service and his ashes were interred at the Special Honour Zone of the Wu Chih-shan Military Cemetery on 7 October. He was commemorated at a public memorial service on 19 September.

Illness and death

On 8 February 2020, Lee was hospitalised at Taipei Veterans General Hospital after choking while drinking milk and retained in the hospital under observation due to lung infection concerns.[1] Later, he was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia caused by pulmonary infiltration, and was subsequently intubated.[2][3][4] President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice-president Lai Ching-te and Premier Su Tseng-chang visited Lee at the hospital on 29 July 2020.[5][6] On 30 July, after a pastor's last prayer and accompanied by his family, Lee died multiple of organ failure and septic shock at Taipei Veterans General Hospital at 7:24 pm, aged 97 (98 in some sources, by East Asian age reckoning).[7][5][8][9]

Memorial

President Tsai Ing-wen instructed a memorial to be set up at the Taipei Guest House for the public from 1 to 16 August 2020 and the national flag to be flown at half-mast for three days starting noon of 31 July.[10]

On 9 August, Yoshirō Mori, former prime minister of Japan, led a cross-party delegation and conveyed to President Tsai condolences from current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before paying tribute to Lee at the Taipei Guest House, where he expressed gratitude for Lee's contributions to Japan–Taiwan relations and his support to Japan's post-war recovery. While not designated as an envoy, Mori is said to act on behalf of Abe. Mori had approved Lee's application for medical treatment in Japan during his premiership, against Beijing's protests and his cabinet's concerns.[11][12][13]

On 12 August, Alex Azar, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and the highest-level US official to visit Taiwan since 1979, paid his respects to Lee at the Taipei Guest House.[14]

On 14 August, a woman, identified as retired entertainer Cheng Hui-chung [zh], vandalised the memorial by throwing a balloon filled with red paint at Lee's portrait.[15]

The memorial ended with Lee Chun-yi, deputy secretary general of the presidential office, leading the staff to bow three times to Lee's portrait.[16] More than 43,000 people visited during the 16-day period.[16]

Funeral

Planning

The funeral committee observing a minute of silence

A spokesperson of the presidential office said that despite the provision under the National Burial Act (1948) that a national with great contributions to the state or the mankind can be interred in a "national burial cemetery" in the national capital, the act has never been invoked due to the relocation of the government.[17] In practice, the president appointed 21 members (in case of a passing president) to form a funeral committee, which arranges the funeral in the rite modelled after the national burial.[18]

On 3 August, President Tsai announced a 32-member funeral committee, comprising Lai Ching-te (convenor), Lien Chan, Vincent Siew, Su Tseng-chang, Yu Shyi-kun, Hsu Tzong-li, Wu Jin-lin, Chen Chu, Wang Jin-pyng, Weng Yueh-sheng [zh], Hsu Shui-teh, Chien Foo, David Lee, Wu Po-hsiung, Huang Kun-huei, Wellington Koo, James Soong, Peng Ming-min, Koo Kwang-ming, Morris Chang, Huang Kun-fu [zh], Yuan Tseh Lee, Perng Fai-nan, Wang Wun-yuan [zh], Chen Po-chih, Chiang Chi-chen, Ko Wen-je, Chiu Hsien-chih, Liu Yi-te, Hsu Kuo-yung, Joseph Wu and Yen Teh-fa. The list is noted for its inclusion of incumbent and former vice presidents, incumbent and former heads of the five government branches, senior government officials, party leaders across the Blue-Green camps and entrepreneurs.[19]

As Lee was a Christian, the presidential office delegated the preparation of his funeral services to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, in accordance with the wish of his family, therefore the erecting of traditional memorial altars with incense and candles were not utilized.[17]

Although Lee had said he wanted his ashes to be scattered on Jade Mountain,[20] his family agreed to strike a balance between the institution of the state and the wish of the family, so that his thoughts "Complete reform from the traditions [zh]" and "Integrity and naturality" could be implemented.[21] His younger daughter Annie also described Lee's last wishes as the strengthening of Taiwan's democracy and the unity of the Taiwanese people, and expressed a desire to demonstrate these through the arrangements of his funeral.[21]

Funeral service and cremation

Lee's funeral procession making a lap around the Presidential Office Building

At 6:36 am on 14 August, the casket carrying Lee's remains was moved from Taipei Veterans General Hospital to Che-lam Presbyterian Church [zh], where Lee's private funeral took place behind closed doors. At the start of ceremony, the bell was rung for 21 times, in an adaptation of the 21-gun salute in Western state funerals.[22] The service was presided over by pastors Iap Khe-siong and Ng Chhun-seng. During the service, the Taiwanese Hokkien version of Lee's favourite hymns "Amazing Grace" and "Rock of Ages, cleft for me" were sung.[23][24] Around 100 people, including 60 family members, some government officials and clergymen, attended the service but Lee's widow, Tseng Wen-hui, was absent over concern for her health.[22]

After the funeral service, the funeral procession made a symbolic lap around the Presidential Office Building, where crowds lined up to pay their final tribute. David Lee, secretary general of the presidential office, and Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, secretary general of the National Security Council, headed the presidential office staff and military officers in a guard of honour. The cremation took place at Taipei City Second Funeral Parlor. Lee's granddaughter Lee Kun-yi carried the urn containing his ashes back to Lee's residence.[23][24]

Farewell service

At 9 am on 19 September, the farewell service (memorial service) was held at the Main Chapel in Aletheia University, which was situated in Tamsui in New Taipei City; members of public could register to attend at the chapel and concert hall of the neighbouring Tamkang Senior High School [zh].[25][26] The title of the ceremony was "I do it with the People in my heart", taken from his speech during his visit to Cornell University in 1995. The ceremony was broadcast live.

President Tsai bestowed Lee with praise and commendation by decree [zh], the certificate of which was received by Lee's older daughter Anna. In Tsai's speech, she credited Lee as "Mr. Democracy", recalled Lee's contribution to the foundation of democratisation and localisation of Taiwan during his 12-year presidency, and vowed that the Taiwanese would "continue along the path of democracy, freedom, diversity and openness". Vice President Lai and heads of five government branches then draped the national flag over Lee's casket.

Around 1000 guests attended the 2.5-hour service, among whom were Lee's family members, the members of the funeral committee and foreign guests, including Keith J. Krach, US Under Secretary of State and Yoshiro Mori, former prime minister of Japan.[27] Hiroyasu Izumi, chief representative of Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, read an eulogy on behalf of Shinzo Abe, the now former Japanese prime minister, who expressed respect to Lee for instilling universal values in Taiwan and forging the friendship between the two countries.[25][28] In a pre-recorded video, the 14th Dalai Lama shared his memories with Lee and praised him for his commitment to democracy and freedom and preservation of Chinese culture in Taiwan.[25][28]

After the service, the hearse received a 21-gun salute from the Ministry of National Defense and made a stop at Tamkang Senior High School, where Lee had studied.[25] The headmaster and administration of the school bowed three times and offered flower bouquets to the hearse. Afterwards, the hearse made a symbolic lap around the school library before returning to Lee's residence.[25]

Burial

The burial ceremony was held on 7 October at the Special Honour Zone of the Wu Chih-shan Military Cemetery in Xizhi District, New Taipei City. Following the wish of the family, the ceremony was not open to public, with only family members and top level government officials in attendance.[29] The national flags at government and public facilities were flown at half-mast on that day.[29]

At around 8:20 am, Lee's family members, with Lee's granddaughter Kun-yi and grandson-in-law carrying the cremation urn and the portrait, departed from his family residence and reached the military cemetery an hour later.[29][30] They were greeted by President Tsai, Vice President Lai, Presidential Office Secretary-General David Lee and Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi, Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung and Defense Minister Yen Teh-fa.[29] The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Ng Chhun-seng and Elder Chueh Chang-meng of Che-lam Presbyterian Church.[31] In Ng's sermon, he encouraged the Taiwanese people to be inspired by Lee's "Jade Mountain spirit" and to dedicate themselves to their home Taiwan.[31] The interment was followed by a three-volley salute by the Military Police Honour Guard and the "Last Post" played by the military band.[32]

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Death and funeral of Lee Teng-hui.

References

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  2. ^ Chang, Ming-hsun; Chang, Liang-chih; Mazzetta, Matthew; Huang, Frances (29 July 2020). "Hospital rebuts Lee Teng-hui death rumors". Central News Agency. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Lee Teng-hui in dire condition: hospital source". Taipei Times. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Former president who brought direct elections to Taiwan dies". Associated Press. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b Lin, Hui-chin; Chung, Jake (31 July 2020). "Former president Lee Teng-hui dies". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Lee Teng-hui in dire condition: hospital source". Taipei Times. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  7. ^ "【李登輝辭世】病榻前30分鐘臨終禮拜　葉啟祥牧師領唱三首詩歌祈禱" [[Passing of Lee Teng-hui] 30 minutes last rites at sick bed; Pastor Yeh Chi-hsiang leads three hymns and prayer]. Apple Daily (in Chinese). 31 July 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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  13. ^ 弔唁李前總統 森喜朗：日本能從戰後走過來，李前總統貢獻深遠 [Offers Condolences to Late President Lee. Yoshirō Mori: Japan could recover from the war thanks to President Lee's tremendous contribution] (YouTube) (in Chinese). TWIMI. 9 August 2020.
  14. ^ "U.S. health secretary visits Lee Teng-hui memorial in Taiwan". UPI. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
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  18. ^ "【李登輝辭世】兩蔣國喪都是1個月　背遺囑戴孝謁陵不可免" [[Passing of Lee Teng-hui] One month national mourning for Two Chiangs]. Apple Daily. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  19. ^ "【李登輝辭世】總統府公布治喪大員32人跨藍綠　由賴清德主持" [[Passing of Lee Teng-hui] presidential office announces funeral committee with 32 members across Blue-Green; Chaired by Lai Ching-te] (in Chinese). HK01. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Ex-president wants his ashes scattered on Mt. Jade" (in Chinese). Focus Taiwan. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b "李登輝追思告別禮拜919舉行 將長眠五指山特勳區" [Lee Teng-hui's farewell service takes place on 919, final resting place in Wu Chih Shan]. Central News Agency. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Former President Lee Teng-hui remembered in private funeral". Focus Taiwan. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  23. ^ a b "李登輝最後巡禮 繞府1圈 遺體火化 孫女李坤儀捧骨灰回翠山莊暫厝" [Lee Teng-hui's final procession around presidential office; Cremated, ashes taken back to resident by Lee Ken-yi]. Apple Daily. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
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  28. ^ a b "Ex-Japan prime minister, Dalai Lama pay tribute to late Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui". Taiwan Times. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  29. ^ a b c d "Burial ceremony held for late President Lee Teng-hui". Focus Taiwan. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  30. ^ "鳴3葬槍、安息號！李登輝國葬特勳區　教會唱聖詩我心恬靜" [Three funeral shots fired, the Last Post played. Lee Teng-hui buried at Special Honour Zone. Church sings "Be Still My Soul"]. SET News (in Chinese). 7 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  31. ^ a b "台灣國葬李登輝 選五指山長眠地" [Taiwan buries Lee Teng-hui in state burial at Wu Chih-shan]. Radio France Internationale (in Chinese). 7 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  32. ^ "總統偕同副總統出席「李前總統登輝先生奉安禮拜」". Office of the President (in Chinese). 7 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
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