Fei Hsi-ping (Chinese: 費希平; 1916–2003) was a Chinese-born politician who served in the Legislative Yuan from 1948 to 1990.
Fei Hsi-ping | |
|---|---|
費希平 | |
 | |
| Member of the Legislative Yuan | |
| In office 18 May 1948 – 1990 | |
| Constituency | Liaoning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1916 Liaoning, Republic of China |
| Died | 21 February 2003 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | Republic of China |
| Political party | Independent (1960–1986; after 1988) |
| Other political affiliations | Kuomintang (until 1960) Democratic Progressive Party (1986–1988) |
| Alma mater | Peking University |
| Occupation | politician |
Political career
editBorn in Liaoning in 1916, Fei attended Peking University. He was elected to the Legislative Yuan as a representative of his home province in 1948. Fei became a close friend and defender of democracy activist Lei Chen during Taiwan's years as an authoritarian, single-party state.[1] Fei's association with Lei cost the former his Kuomintang membership, which was revoked in 1960.[2][3] Fei began actively campaigning for the opposition after the Kaohsiung Incident in 1979,[1] and, over time began drifting nearer to the tangwai movement.[3] In 1981, Fei proposed the State Security Bill written to lift martial law in Taiwan.[4] Despite supporting Taiwan's right to self determination in 1982,[5] two years later Fei proposed that Taipei and Beijing form one political entity called the "Federation of Great China" in an effort to give the Republic of China a voice in the United Nations.[6] He played a large role in the founding of the Democratic Progressive Party, and although he lost its first chairmanship election to Chiang Peng-chien, Fei was elected to the party's inaugural Central Standing Committee.[1][2] Fei's State Security Bill was reconsidered in 1987,[4] and when it was replaced by another proposal, the National Security Law, instead, some DPP members protested, with Fei himself leading objections to the protest.[7] Martial law was lifted by order of Chiang Ching-kuo on 15 July 1987.[8]
Throughout his political career, Fei remained opposed to Taiwan independence.[9][10] Fei was often the mediator between the DPP and KMT, and continually issued calls for the parties to work together.[11] The DPP continued to push for independence and legislative reform, and over these disagreements, Fei left the party in 1988,[12] resigning his legislative seat in 1990.[1][2] He later moved to the United States, and died of heart failure in Los Angeles on 21 February 2003, at the age of 86.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Lin, Chieh-yu (16 March 2003). "DPP mourns loss of Fei Hsi-ping". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Lin, Mei-Chun (3 March 2003). "Fei's passing recalls lost era of ethnic cooperation". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Lin, Mei-chun (27 February 2003). "Former lawmaker and founding DPP member dies at 86". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Threat Basis Of Security Law". Free China Review. 30 March 1987. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Sheng, Virginia (10 May 1996). "DPP's soul-searching: To oppose or pitch in". Free China Review. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Dong, Yu-ching (28 October 1984). "Official Says 'China Federation' Absurd". Free China Review. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Chang, Michael (6 April 1987). "Tarnishing Golden Opportunity". Free China Review. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Taiwan Ends 4 Decades of Martial Law". The New York Times. Associated Press. 15 July 1987. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "'Secessionism' Not Acceptable". Free China Review. 15 February 1988. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "'DPP' Negotiators Agree With KMT On Vital Issues". Free China Review. 21 March 1988. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Opposition Political Leader Calls For Unity Of Purpose". Free China Review. 13 April 1987. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Fei Resigns From DPP". Free China Review. 22 December 1988. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.