Setbacks and breakthroughs from Tangwai (outside the KMT party)
The state of international and domestic politics was undergoing complex and rough changes during the 1970s and 1980s. On October 25th, 1971, the UN General Assembly passed UN Resolution 2758, which stated that the People's Republic of China (PRC) was the only legitimate government of China. PRC replaced the seat that the Republic of China (ROC) held in the UN. On April 6th, 1975, Chiang Kai-shek died, and Chiang Ching-kuo took over the presidency three years later. In January 1979, the U.S.A. broke diplomatic relations with the ROC. As a result, the KMT regime has suffered its most severe diplomatic setback since retreating to Taiwan.
Under the circumstances, people of Tangwai demanded significant changes or complete reform to the political systems. Faced with voices calling for democracy and freedom, the KMT responded ruthlessly and ultimately led to the Kaohsiung Incident, the murder of Chen Wen-cheng, and the Henry Liu case.