Taiwan’s Public Interest and several other organizations held a symposium on the 27th to discuss the topic of “The Next Chapter of Democracy: Citizen Power After the Recall.” Volunteers from the recall group pointed out that the real enemy that Taiwan should remember is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Members of the Legislative Yuan emphasized that the recall movement has spread across Taiwan, and in the future, maintaining communication and civic strength through book clubs and other means will be crucial in facing upcoming challenges.
Hosted by Tu Feng-en, the chief editor of “Righteous Culture,” he expressed that regardless of the outcome, the recall wave is an important process in Taiwan’s history that deserves to be documented comprehensively. During the recall process, many were busy dealing with events and had little time to pause and reflect. However, as a publishing unit and a history researcher himself, he believed that a long-term review is necessary to explore deeply significant issues from past recall cases.
Tu Feng-en further pointed out that the mainstream media in Taiwan is often constrained by partisan politics, with a focus on blue and green political figures, making it difficult to present alternative voices. Additionally, news reporting tends to chase short-term developments, often overshadowing subsequent progress. He highlighted that the thoughts and actions of frontline participants can reveal stories and details of the process that are unknown to those who were not directly involved, underscoring the importance of documenting and presenting these processes.
Volunteer Zhian Ting-shuan mentioned her background in political work and being an editor for online media, which influenced her understanding of recalls. While some see the recent recall as a failure, she believed that “success and failure should not be defined solely by the outcome,” as the efforts made throughout the process were not in vain.
She recalled the “All Trades Support Recall” online campaign three days before the vote on July 26, which, although just online posts, inspired volunteers, making them feel less isolated and encouraging more people to express their stance. Even though it did not pass the third phase, it cannot be considered a failure, as it awakened many who were previously indifferent.
Zhian Ting-shuan pointed out that for the general public, the concept of “resisting China” may seem distant, and connecting it with their busy lives poses a future challenge. Media and online videos have significant influence, especially on young people in their twenties, so engaging in dialogue with those around them is essential, while always remembering that the true enemy is the CCP.
She suggested that if individuals have the capacity, they can engage in grassroots politics or civil defense learning and advised accepting one’s emotions, knowing when to rest, in order to continue engaging in meaningful conversations with others.
Taiwan legislator Shen Bo-yang noted that after the 2014 Sunflower Movement, many people became involved in grassroots politics and local revitalization, and now with civil defense gaining momentum, it shows that there are still many things to do post-movement. The massive drain over the past year from the recall is significant, and at this moment, it is crucial to rest, not just to relax but also to recuperate mentally and release emotions; otherwise, it could impact the start of the next social movement.
Shen Bo-yang stated that the recall garnered support from 18% of blue camp voters and 15% of white camp voters, proving it to be a grassroots movement, signaling the public’s belief that the Legislative Yuan needs change. The failure of the recall reflects that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters did not turn out to vote, shifting the responsibility back to the party itself, indicating the need for continued efforts to strengthen participation.
Emphasizing the valuable aspect of this movement spreading across Taiwan rather than being confined to Taipei, Shen Bo-yang highlighted the importance of not dispersing this energy in the future. Regions could maintain ongoing communication through book clubs and similar methods to act swiftly when issues arise.
He suggested that Taiwan has numerous human rights NGOs, but few organizations link national security with local connections; hence, there is a need to enhance resource matching and organizational structures to enable society to face challenges with more resilience and prepare early responses to potential crises.
Director of Taiwan Think Tank Polling and Public Opinion Center, Guo Mei-cen, noted that the failure of the recall should not be interpreted as a societal rejection of the “resist China, protect Taiwan” advocacy but rather as a result of Kuomintang (KMT) local faction mobilization. This does not imply a pro-CCP shift in Taiwan but shows the significant influence of local factions in determining the recall outcome.
Guo Mei-cen argued that the recall demonstrated unprecedented energy within Taiwan’s civil society. Unlike the Sunflower Movement, which had clear leaders, the recall wave was driven by dozens of recall groups, mostly composed of volunteers who contributed their expertise and dedication. Though the result fell short of expectations, it showcased the vitality of Taiwanese society. Taiwan has historically grown through setbacks, and this energy should evolve into a driving force for the future.
Volunteer from the “Taiwan Out Recall” group, Li Mi-mi, shared her perspective, acknowledging her role as a recall volunteer without being a core planner, lacking a “bird’s eye view” to grasp the larger direction. Not being a historian or political scholar, it was her first time participating in a social movement, so she could only offer grassroots “ground-level perspectives” rather than providing guidance on future paths.
Li Mi-mi expressed that, as a general volunteer, every critique seemed valid, making it challenging to discern who was right or wrong. Instead of getting stuck in these debates, she suggested setting them aside for the time being. Drawing from Aztec Empire history and personal family experiences, she illustrated that even in the toughest times, people can preserve something, leaving behind their own culture. For Taiwan, no matter how challenging the situation may be, emotionally, there should be no surrender, nor excessive worry, because something enduring will always remain.
Chief Editor of the book “The Largest Recall in Taiwan History,” Chien Duan-liang participated from Hualien through a video link. He acknowledged the feelings of disappointment post-recall but stressed the importance of recognizing that everyone is part of history. People become human by thinking, “born as a human, what defines correctness,” and the desire for freedom and not giving up dignity are essential to human nature. He remarked that true regression in Taiwan only occurs through abandonment, urging against pessimism. The massive recall was the largest social experiment concerning the confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism.
Chien Duan-liang noted that while the recall process was tough, many from the younger generation, particularly those coming from deep blue or elite families, chose to take on the mission after reflecting on “what it means to be human and a Taiwanese,” indicating that the large recall was not in vain. As long as the Taiwanese continue to strive, Taiwan will not fail, and the recall has indelibly marked a page in Taiwan’s history.