Biyun Chan Temple


The Biyun Chan Temple was a shrine dedicated to the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China located in Ershui Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

History

The shrine was originally constructed as a temple in 1920 and expanded in 2002. It was then acquired by a retired military and businessman Wei Ming-jen in July 2007. He then converted the temple into a shrine for the Communist Party of China with the name Patriotic Education Base of Socialist National Thought in Taiwan Province of the People's Republic of China. He then covered the temple with the flags of the People's Republic of China and the Communist Party of China. He also hung up portraits of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Xi Jinping.
On 11 September 2018, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Changhua County Government held a review meeting to decide on the fate of the temple. On 21 September 2018, Changhua County Magistrate Wei Ming-ku ordered the demolition of the building, citing its illegal status. The demolition process will start from cutting the water and electricity supply to the building on the same day. The demolition day is expected to be on 26 September 2018. On 25 September 2018, around 20 people wearing the uniform of People's Liberation Army showed up at the shrine to show support for Wei. After the electricity was cut to the building, Wei used a portable generator to continue broadcasting the national anthem of the PRC.
On 26 September 2018, demolition works began to tear down the building. There were 14 heavy machinery present on the day to do the work. The work was supervised by Changhua County Deputy Commissioner Lin Ming-yu which he ordered to start at 10:05 a.m. The demolition work costed NT$5 million in which it would be borne by Wei's sister due to the property registration ownership name. It also cost NT$300,000 for the police forces before and during the demolition works.
A day after the demolition work began, Wei retreated to Hong Kong. However, on 1 October 2018 evening, he returned to Taiwan to attend the National Day of the People's Republic of China held by the Patriot Alliance Association.

Architecture

The temple covered a total area of 2,500 m2 with the original temple remains cover only 185 m2.