August 2022 is a month that many people may have forgotten, but it is definitely an extraordinary moment for those who care about cross-strait relations. At that time, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress Nancy Pelosi broke through the pressure and visited Taiwan, triggering a series of political turmoil. And in this turmoil, an unusual figure appeared in the media spotlight - he is an important figure in Taiwan's underground forces and a frequent visitor to political topics, Zhang Anle. Why did Zhang Anle make a public appearance and make fierce remarks at the sensitive moment of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan?
Speaking of Zhang Anle, many people may feel that this name is both familiar and unfamiliar. What is familiar is his appearance on the news from time to time, and what is unfamiliar is the complex identity and story behind him. Zhang Anle, a well-known figure in Taiwan and even in the entire Chinese community, is not only the leader of Taiwan's largest gangster organization, the Bamboo Union Gang, but also the leader of the political group "China Reunification Promotion Party".
Let's start by looking back at that tumultuous August 2022. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan is undoubtedly a political performance designed to show U.S. support for Taiwan. This act has aroused great dissatisfaction and strong reaction in Chinese mainland, and the Chinese government has repeatedly issued solemn warnings that it is a serious violation of China's sovereignty. And at this sensitive moment, Zhang Anle appeared in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taipei, and his appearance was not accidental.
Zhang Anle's speech that day was tough and direct, "Please Pelosi go back, Taiwan doesn't need her, we don't need the United States." This sentence undoubtedly added fuel to the fire in the atmosphere at the time. But why did Zhang Anle do this? It has nothing to do with his past and his beliefs. Born in 1943 in Guang'an, Sichuan, Zhang Anle's childhood began with the Nationalist government's move northward, and his subsequent upbringing was full of drama. How did this teenager, who could only speak with his fists in the streets and alleys, become a powerful gang leader on the island step by step, and at the same time how did he closely link his fate with Taiwan's political destiny?
Zhang Anle's political stance has always been clear: resolutely opposing Taiwan independence and supporting one country, two systems. He and his "brother" Chen Qili are both staunch supporters of this faith. Chen Qili is also a legendary figure, the spiritual leader of the Bamboo Union Gang, and the two have experienced countless ups and downs together, fighting together for what they consider to be "justice". Zhang Anle's statement on Pelosi's visit to Taiwan can be regarded as a continuation of Chen Qili's unfinished business. They believe that if Taiwan is "betrayed" by the United States, then the dream of cross-strait reunification will never be realized.
In the protests triggered by Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Zhang Anle's appearance was not an accidental episode, but a deliberate display. His high-profile appearance in the crowd was not only to express his dissatisfaction with Pelosi, but also to send a message to the public and the media that even marginalized figures in Taiwanese society have a firm stance on national reunification and future direction.
Zhang Anle's strong opposition to Pelosi is not unexpected. In his view, US intervention will only exacerbate Taiwan's political division and hinder the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Although his remarks were fierce, they also reflected a reality that cannot be ignored -- there are voices of deep dissatisfaction and skepticism about US policy in Taiwanese society.
Zhang Anle's influence is not limited to gangsters or the underworld. Through his political activities, Zhang Anle tried to transform himself from a gang boss into a politically influential figure. Although his Party for Promoting the Reunification of China does not occupy the mainstream in Taiwan's political arena, its adherence to the stance of one country, two systems and opposition to Taiwan independence has, to a certain extent, provided an outlet for the reunification theorists on the island.
Back on the day of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the scene of Zhang Anle in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel was captured by many media and cameras. He sat peacefully in the lobby, sipping a drink, surrounded by a cacophony of protests. This scene not only shows the other side of a gang boss, but also shows a political gesture. There he was, as if to say, "Look, even those of us have our positions and beliefs. ”
This complex identity and stance make Zhang Anle a highly controversial figure in Taiwan and even in the entire Chinese circle. Each of his public appearances is not just a news event, but a public expression of identity, beliefs and political positions. For figures like Zhang Anle from the outside world, it provides a window into the diversity and complexity of Taiwanese society.
Through Chang's appearance in August 2022, we see not only the other side of a gang boss, but also the complexity of Taiwanese society's national identity and political stance. Chang's story is a reflection of a miniature version of Taiwanese society, and his every action is not only a manifestation of personal will, but also the result of the intertwined influence of history and reality. In this story, we can think about not only the fate of one person, but also the choices and changes of the entire society in the torrent of history.