 Bo Yang (March 7, 1920 - April 29, 2008), is a
Chinese writer based in Taiwan.
Biography
Born Guo Libang in Kaifeng, Henan Province (some accounts say his birthplace is
Hui County, now part of Xinxiang, Henan), he later changed his name to Guo
Yidong, apparently as a result of a falling out with his father and stepmother.
He moved to Taiwan in 1949. He started using the penname Bo Yang in 1960 to
write critical essays. He was imprisoned as a political prisoner on Green Island
for nine years because of his unwitting criticism of Chiang Kai-shek and in
particular a translation of a comic strip of Popeye. In the strip, Popeye is in
a boat at sea, holding Swee'Pea. Pointing toward an island in the distance, he
says: "I will be king of that island and you will be my darling prince." Chiang
was displeased because he saw this as a parody of his installing his son Chiang
Ching-kuo as heir apparent. Bo translated the word "fellows" as "my fellow
soldiers and countrymen," a phrase used by Chiang Kai-shek.
One of his best known books is The Ugly Chinaman and the Crisis of Chinese
Culture. During his imprisonment, Bo Yang wrote a number of works on Chinese
history.
He carried the honorary title of national policy advisor to the administration
of President Chen Shui-bian from 2000 to 2008, but appears to lack actual
influence.
Bo Yang died in Sindian, Taipei on April 29, 2008.
Special Achievement
As of December 1998, his publications include 53 titles (135 volumes) of
original writings, 7 titles (33 volumes) of works edited by him, and 53 titles
of collections, criticism, reports, biographies and foreign translations. His
original work, "The Alien Realm" sold more than one million copies in Taiwan.
Bo Yang harshly criticized Chinese tradition and old fashion culture in two of
his most famous books, "Soy Vat Culture" and "Shaking the Soy Vat".
After the lift of martial law in Taiwan, Bo Yang visited China. Upon his return
to Taiwan he wrote a book called "Home" in which he started describing himself
to be a first generation immigrant in Taiwan and considered Taiwan to be home to
him and his offsprings, although he was still passionate about mainland China.
He is also a human rights activist. In 1995, he established the Human Rights
Education Foundation to promote human rights education in Taiwan.
Mr. Yang's enormous contributions in culture transformation, literature
writings, and human rights advocacy have earned him the 1999 Humanity Award.
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