Changhua County Tears Down Illegal Temple|掛五星旗碧雲寺違建拆除 現場驚見汽油瓦斯桶

The Changhua Ershui's Biyun Temple's demolition began at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26. The County Government announced that it would completely tear the illegal parts of the temple down, leaving not a tile or brick behind. Police sent over 600 officers there to maintain order, while members of the Taiwan Nation came by to express support for the demolition.


Demolition on Changhua County's Biyun Temple gets underway.

At 10 a.m., the foreman gives the order for demolition to begin. Within moments, the roof comes tumbling down and the courtyard is reduced to rubble.

Over 600 police were stationed around the temple and along Shanjiao Road to maintain order. An altercation occurred when members of Taiwan Nation broke past the barrier and were stopped by police.

We reject the Five-star Flag. Tear down the illegal structure.

It doesn't matter if it is illegal, but don't display the Five-star Flag or play their song. It's really way too inappropriate.

One local questioned why it took until now for the county to demolish the illegal structure. The head of the temple, Wei Ming-ren, left earlier in the morning and took with him the Five-star Flag and Mao Zedong portrait. Wei says the county is illegally demolishing the temple and reiterated the temple is not authorized or funded by anyone in China.

They are lying through their teeth when they say the temple (is funded by the Chinese Communist Party). If the claim were true, wouldn't my life be nice and easy? Wouldn't it? All I want is a better Taiwan.

The deputy magistrate of Changhua County, meanwhile, says the building is illegal so it will be removed down to the last brick and tile.

It will be torn down to the last brick and tile. For them to turn (the temple) into a so-called foundation of patriotism for the Chinese Communists, for them to hurt our people like this, they have crossed the line of what our free and democratic Taiwan can tolerate.

Part of the complex is a county-designated historic site, but the county has deemed the remaining 5,300 square meters illegal construction. It will take the county one week to complete demolition. The county says it will go after Wei for the NT$ 5 million demolition cost.