The largely peaceful opposition movement was directed at the corrupt rule of Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Nationalist Party that had taken control of the former Japanese colony less than two years earlier. Suppressed under Nationalist rule, the uprising has become a rallying point for Taiwanese who say the island and China are separate nations. Opponents, including those in China, say the anniversary is being used for political purposes to further an anti-Beijing, pro-Taiwan independence agenda. "We are pretty dissatisfied and feeling impatient," said Yang Chen-long, 65, chief executive officer of a foundation for victims of the 1947 crackdown. This year's commemorations were seen as especially significant given a sharp downturn in relations between Taiwan and China.

Source: ABC News February 28, 2017 10:41 UTC