A Taste of Freedom

　　

作者簡介

Peng Ming-Min

　　Peng Ming-Min was born in Taiwan 1923 during the Japanese occupation period. Peng received his education in Taiwan. Later, during World War II., he studies at the Imperial Tokyo University. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan University and went on to pursue Masters degree from McGill University in Canada. He received a doctoral degree in Law from the University of Paris in 1954. After returning to Taiwan. Peng became Professor and Chairman of Political Science Department at the National University of Taiwan from 1961 to 1962. Peng was arrested in the Fall of 1964, While he was Preparing a manifesto, “Declaration of Formosans”, calling for a new democratic constitution and independent of Taiwan. Charged with sedition, Peng was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment. Chiang Kai-shek released Peng from military prison 14 months later, but placed Peng under house arrest for life.

　　In June 1970, after 5 years of house arrest, Peng dramatically escaped from Taiwan and reached Sweden, where he was granted political asylum. Peng became a senior research scholar and visiting professor at the University of Michigan from 1970-1972, and then taught at the Wright State University in Ohio until 1974. He was President of Formosan Association for Public Affairs(FAPA)from 1986-1989.

　　After 22 years exile in United States, He finally returned to his beloved homeland of Taiwan in November 1992.He received the heroic welcome from the people of Taiwan. Peng is now considered the spiritual leader of the Taiwanese people both in U.S.A. and in Taiwan. After returning to Taiwan, Peng continued to devote his efforts to speak out for the right to self-determination of Taiwanese and democratization of Taiwan.