1. We use the term “political crisis” to describe the following new political conditions: a split in the leadership of the Kuomintang party; unconventional behaviour or violence by certain members of the National Assembly; and large-scale political demonstrations involving nearly all political parties and tens of thousands of students.

2. We are indebted to Thomas A. Metzger for suggestions regarding these three problems.

3. For a classic statement of this position, see Solomon, Richard H., Mao's Revolution and the Chinese Political Culture (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1971), ch. 1.Google Scholar

4. For studies on Chinese political factions and how they try to achieve consensus, see Jacobs, J. Bruce, Local Politics in a Rural Chinese Cultural Setting: A Field Study of Mazu Township, Taiwan (Canberra: Contemporary China Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, 1980)Google Scholar; Nathan, Andrew J., Peking Politics, 1918–1923: Factionalism and the Failure of Constitutionalism (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1976), ch. 2.Google Scholar

5. This paragraph owes much to Tien, Hurig-mao, The Great Transition: Political and Social Change in the Republic of China (Stanford: Hoover Institution Press, 1989), p. 113.Google Scholar

6. “Guoda bace huiyi zong'e qiwusan ren jueding guobanshu wei 377 piao” (“At the Eighth Congress of the National Assembly, out of a total of 753 members, more than one-half or 377 votes, are required to elect a president and vice-president”), Lien-ho-pao, 18 02 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

7. These elections are described in Ling, Ts'ai and Myers, Ramon H., “Winds of democracy: the 1989 Taiwan elections,” Asian Survey, Vol. 30, No. 4 (04 1990), pp. 401–415.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

8. For such an example see Yin-t'ing, Lin, “Neidou zhong di yimei huoqi: Li Huan” (“A live chip in the inner struggle for power: Li Huan”), Yuan-chien (Global Views Monthly), No. 44 (15 01 1990), pp. 26–28.Google Scholar

9. Hsing-ch'ing, Wang, “Li Teng-hui timing Li Yuan-ts'u, Kuomintang neidou yi dengchang” (“Lee Teng-hui nominates Li Yüan-ts'u, and the power struggle within the KMT begins”), Hsin-hsin-wen (The Journalist), 12/18 02 1990, p. 11.Google Scholar

10. “Chiang Wei-kuo dafanan fouren naixiong shuoguo Chiang-jia buzai xuan zongtong” (“Chiang Wei-kuo reinterprets the historical records and denies that his brother ever said no member of the Chiang family will ever seek the presidency or vicepresidency again”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 15 02 1990, p. 1Google Scholar. See also “Gehai fangpao Chiang Wei-kuo zouxing guoda hailang” (“His detonating of firecrackers overseas has stirred up huge waves in the National Assembly”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 15 02 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

11. For example, the Lien-ho-pao ran an article on 11 February entitled “Fuzongtong shi shei? Zhongshan lou eryu yuetan ‘bu zhidao’” (“Who will be the vice-president? At Chung-shan Conference Hall the whispers and conversations add up to ‘we do not know’”), Lien-ho-pao, 11 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar

12. “Qili? Toupiao? Timing'an biaojue fangshi jianren jianzhi” (“To stand up or vote by ballot? The method to nominate is seen in different ways”) Lien-ho-pao, 12 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar

13. Ibid.

14. Ibid.

15. “Shan chu piaoxuan, jinzi caijue yingfa zhengyi” (“By eliminating election by secret ballot, they made the decision themselves, thus triggering a great debate”), Lien-ho-pao, 12 02 1990, p. 3Google Scholar. Among the, key leaders who voted for secret balloting were Hao Pu-ts'un, Li Huan, Lin Yang-kang and Sun Yun-hsüan. Among those who favoured the stand-up method were Sung Ch'u-yü, Kao Yü-jen, Ch'iu Ch'uang-huan and Wu Po-hsiung.

16. “Fan Li renshi Jiang tui Lin Yang-kang-Chiang Wei-kuo tadang” (“Those who oppose the two Lis will promote the Lin Yang-kang-Chiang Wei-kuo nomination”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 12 02 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

17. “Teng Chieh tuiyong Lin-Chiang quanli fadong lianshu” (“Teng Chieh goes all out to obtain signatures to promote the nomination of Lin and Chiang”), Tzu-li wan-pao, 11 02 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

18. Ibid.

19. “Chang Yü-sheng: Kuomintang yao kaifang buke zuo huitoulu” (“Chang Yü-sheng declares the KMT must open up and reform, not retrogress”), Lien-ho-pao, 13 02 1990, p. 2.Google Scholar

20. “Li Sheng-feng pingji Li Teng-hui: buminzhu” (“Li Sheng-feng attacks Lee Tenghui as undemocratic”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 1 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

21. Ibid.

22. “Chao Shao-k'ang fangpao, yaoqiu Li Teng-hui yongren youfang fangdaxiongjin” (“Chao Shao-k'ang sets off some firecrackers by requesting that Li Teng-hui use people of talent who are broadminded and have vision”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 1 03 1990, p. 2.Google Scholar

23. “Lin Yang-kang jueding jiang houxuan zongtong” (“Lin Yang-kang decides to run for president”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 3 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

24. “Quan da jiaoti, yanzhong chongtu, guoda kailuoxi biandiaoliao” (“Using their feet and kicking, a serious altercation erupts, changing the sound of the opening ceremony of the National Assembly”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 20 02 1990, p. 1Google Scholar. Our narrative is based on this account and others published in Lien-ho-pao and Chung-kuo shih-pao on 20 02.Google Scholar

25. Ibid.; see also “Zongtong wuyan, Minjindang xianfan qizuo jiuxi” (“At the presidential luncheon, DPP members overturned seven banquet tables”), Lien-ho-pao, 20 02 1990, p. 1Google Scholar; “Zongtong zhicu boli pinglanglang; zongtong wuyan jiucai hualala” (“When the president spoke, glass splintered everywhere; during the president's luncheon, dishes flew everywhere”), Lien-ho-pao, 20 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar

26. Ibid., Lien-ho-pao, 20 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar For a timetable of the morning's events see “Guoda chongtu hunluan, di yici huiyi naodao zui gaodian” (“The National Assembly produces great conflicts, but the first meeting was most disorderly”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 19 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar

27. Ibid; “Li Zongtong beizhao shou, zuihou yige likai Chung-shan lou” (“President Lee, with his hands clasped behind his back, was the last to leave Chung-shan Hall”), Lien-ho-pao, 20 02 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar

28. “Dalao jihui zongtongfu, guanjian shike tan zhenghe” (“A committee of elders assembles at the presidential office at a critical juncture to discuss reconciliation”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 3 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

29. Ibid. The two factional heavyweight leaders were obviously Lee Teng-hui and Li Huan. Bitter about being bypassed as vice-president and increasingly worried about President Lee's ideas for constitutional reform and a new mainland China policy, Li Huan began manoeuvering to exert pressure on President Lee to accede to having his lower limited.

30. “Zongtong guandi yuanlao huiyi” (“The president meets with the oldest former leaders at a meeting held at the presidential residence”), Lien-ho-pao, 4 03 1990, p. 1Google Scholar

31. “Li zongtong bayuan lao huizhang jue yi san da liyou quantui Lin-Chiang” (“President Lee and eight distinguished elders met, discussed, and decided upon three major reasons to advise and compel Lin and Chiang to withdraw their candidacy”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 4 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

32. “Yong Chiang canhui, Lin-Chiang jubei hujing” (“Supporters of Chiang hold a lunch, and Lin and Chiang toast each other”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 4 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

33. “Li Huan, Lin Yang-kang, Hao Po-ts'un jin wu chuxi zhenghe canhui” (“Li Huan, Lin Yang-kang and Hao Po-ts'un attend the reconciliation luncheon”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 5 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

34. “T'ai-pei Ping-kuan huishang baoshen longlong” (“A meeting at the Taipei Ping-kuan with artillery bombardment”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 6 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar Interviews with several “elders” revealed they exerted strong pressure on Lin and Chiang to resign by insisting that both adhere to KMT party discipline and support the party's nomination.

35. Ibid.

36. “Xianzheng tizhi jisi quangyi, quanli tuidong tongyi daye” (“To collect ideas to expand the advantages of the constitutional system; to push forward with all vigour to achieve the great task of unifying China”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 7 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

37. “Kuomintang zhenghe shibai, shuangtou mache queli” (“KMT reconciliation efforts fail; the two factions are still split”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 8 03 1990, p. 3Google Scholar, for various comments by major political figures.

38. Ibid.

39. “Li zongtong tanhua weihuo zhengmian huixiang, zhenghe duncou” (“President Lee's speech did not receive a positive response; therefore, reconciliation has met with opposition”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 8 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

40. “Lianshu daoshu jishi, liangpai renma jiji beizhan” (“Running out of time, the two factions aggressively prepare for the struggle”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 9 06 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

41. “Li zongtong: liangzu jingxuan wusuowei” (“President Lee: go ahead and let the two groups compete”), Lien-ho-pao, 9 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

42. “Jingjibu zhengci Wang Chien-hsüan qingci” (“Vice-minister and head of the political affairs section of the economic ministry resigns”), Lien-ho-pao, 9 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar Premier Li Huan refused to accept Wang's request, and Wang again tendered his resignation on 27 March, declaring, “I simply want to take a rest and prepare myself for the long road ahead.” China Post, 28 03 1990, p. 6.Google Scholar

43. “Lin Yang-kang xuanbu cixuan, zongtong xuanqing danchunhua” (“Lin Yang-kang declares he will step aside; the presidential election becomes simpler”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 10 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

44. “Chiang Wei-kuo zhongwu biaoming cixuan taidu” (“At noon, Chiang Wei-kuo expresses his intentions of quitting”), Tzu-li wan-pao, 10 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar On the same day, the Taipei stock market shot up 440 points as investors purchased stock, confident that political stability had been restored.

45. “Yung Chiang-pai guodai zaoshi buxie” (“Chiang's assembly supporters will continue to rally behind him until they have failed”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 10 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar See also Lien-ho-pao, 11 03 1990, p. 1Google Scholar for two articles describing in great detail how both men made their public statements of withdrawal from the race. The additional pressures on Chiang Wei-kuo to resign came in the form of public statements highly critical of his candidacy from Chiang Hsiao-wu, the ROC representative to Japan and a nephew of Chiang Wei-kuo, who flew to Taipei to hold a press conference and denounce Chiang Wei-kuo's intention to run. See “Chiang Hsiao-wu tongxin lingdaoqun zhengmo quanwei” (“Chiang Hsiao-wu expresses his grief over the leadership power struggle”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 10 03 1990, p. 3.Google Scholar See also the public comments of the high-ranking official Chang Hsiao-yen, who spoke critically of Chiang's candidacy in the same paper, p. 3.

46. “Teng Chieh zhengshi xuanbu: tingzhi zhengchao Lin-Chiang” (“Teng Chieh formally declares he will end efforts on behalf of Lin and Chiang”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 16 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

47. “Zhichi Li Teng-hui lianshu yi zhankai” (“Support of Lee Teng-hui nomination begins to take form”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 11 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

48. “Zongtong shenzhong kaolu, xuanqian gongkai tanhua” (“President seriously considers making a public speech before the National Assembly votes”), Lien-ho wanpao, 17 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

49. “Ershiqiwei wei xuanshi xuanshi wuxiao guodai zao tingshi zhiquan” (“Twentyseven Assembly members did not take their oath; therefore, their Assembly rights have been abrogated”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 13 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

50. Ibid.

51. “Guoda shencha weiyuanhui ershisi fenzhong tongguo” (“Examination Committee of the National Assembly passes a bill in 24 minutes”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 15 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar Other newspapers, however, reported a period of two hours or other lengths of time for the Committee to deliberate and make its recommendations.

52. Government Information Office, Republic of China, Constitution, Republic of China (Taipei, n.d.), pp. 55–57Google Scholar for a list of these 11 articles, which were used in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 174 of the constitution.

53. See “Meinian jihui yice xinshi liangquan” (“Each year the Assembly meets once to exercise its two powers”), Chung-yang jih-pao (Central Daily News, international edition), 16 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

54. Even the KMT party newspaper, the Chung-yang jih-pao, interpreted the Committee's action as one of expanding the power of the National Assembly and disapproved of its action. See “Ziwo pengchang tuli ziji zeng'e guodai dakai minzhu daoche” (“Self-expansion, self-profit, and the Taiwan-elected representatives drive the vehicle of democracy backwards”), Chung-yang jih-pao (international edition), 15 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar In this article, the author also criticized some of those members of the Committee who had been elected from Taiwan and tried to extend their term of office beyond two years.

55. “Zujie kaihui minjindang fafeng” (“Prevented from attending the Eighth Congress, the DPP explodes in rage”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 14 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

56. “President Lee called to end political ‘farce’,” China Post, 16 03 1990, p. 16.Google Scholar

57. “Military police drag away 14 DPP deputies,” China Post, 17 03 1990, p. 12.Google Scholar

58. “Dizhi guoda bamian bake kangshui husheng siqi” (“To oppose the National Assembly, the slogans of mass boycott, cut classes, and resist paying taxes are heard from all quarters”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 17 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

59. “Zhongzheng jiniantang yuanqi huijidian” (“At the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Auditorium an atmosphere of outrage builds up”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 17 03 1990, p. 1Google Scholar

60. Ibid.

61. “Xuesheng kangyi xindong kuoda” (“New efforts mount in support of student protest”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 18 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

62. Ibid.

63. “Guoda ru yiyiguxin liyuan jiang shanchu quanbu yusuan” (“If the National Assembly insists on having its way, the Legislative Yuan will eliminate their entire budget”), Chung-kuo shih-pao, 16 03, 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

64. “Retirement of aging reps second most urgent issue,” China Post, 29 03 1990, p. 12.Google Scholar The China Times also surveyed 834 adults, and 80% stated the National Assembly had no function to perform and they were furious about the Committee's four recommendations. Only 13% stated that the Assembly represented the will of the people. For reference to this survey see “Yuban minzhong buman guodai suowei” (“Over one-half of the people are dissatisfied with the behaviour of the National Assembly”), Chung-yang jih-pao (international edition), 18 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

65. “Li zongtong zhengzhong xuangao minzhu gaige juexin biyou mingque jiaodai” (“President Lee solemnly declares there must be a positive spirit of democratic reform and there will be a clear resolution”), Lien-ho-pao, 18 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

66. “Shengtao guoze zhongzheng jiniantang sanwanren qinuhou” (“Voices denounced the national thieves when some 30,000 people gathered in anger at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Auditorium”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 19 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

53. “Lingshi tiaokuan yanchang renqi meinian jihui jue fan'an quxiao” (“National Assembly rejects proposals for meeting every year and extending assemblyman tenure, etc.”), Lien-ho-pao, 19 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

68. “Guoshi huiyi jinqi zhaokai” (“A conference on national affairs will soon be held”), Lien-ho-pao, 19 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

69. “Zenge guodai wuyi yanchang renqi” (“Newly elected National Assembly; representatives have no intention to extend their term of office”), Chung-yang jih-pao (international edition), 18 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

70. “Xuesheng jinzao zhankai jueshi kangyi” (“Early this morning, students begin fasting in protest”), Tzu-li wan-pao, 19 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

71. “Bingji zhao-zhu fang guoshi huitan” (“Seeking a prescription for a medical emergency: a National Affairs Conference will be convened”), Tzu-li tsao-pao, 21 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

72. “Li Teng-hui dangxuan Zhonghua minguo dibaren zongtong” (“Lee Teng-hui is elected as eighth president of the ROC”), Lien-ho-pao, 22 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

73. “Jinzuo xuesheng quanbu cheli zhongzheng jiniantang” (“All sit-in students leave the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial early this morning”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 22 03 1990, p. 1.Google Scholar

74. “Li Yüan-ts'u dang xuan dibaren fuzongtong” (“Li Yüan-ts'u is elected eighth vice-president”), Lien-ho wan-pao, 22 03 1990, p. 1.aGoogle Scholar

75. Such speculation was published in the foreign press. See McGregor, James, “Taiwan's Lee to face challenge after poll,” Asian Wall Street Journal, Vol. 14, No. 134, (14 03 1990), pp. 1 and 20.Google Scholar

76. Sanger, David E., “Taiwan's new president signals major softening in relations with China,” The New York Times, 21 05 1990, p. A–3.Google Scholar

77. See Ling, Ts'ai and Myers, Ramon H., “Manichaean suspicions and the spirit of reconciliation: currents of public opinion in Taiwan on the eve of the 1990 conference on the Republic of China's destiny,” The American Asian Review, Vol. 9, No. 2 (summer 1991), pp. 1–41Google Scholar; and also “Achieving consensus amidst adversity: the conference to decide the Republic of China's destiny (June 28–July 4, 1990),” ibid., Vol. 9, No. 3 (autumn 1991), pp. 1–40.