Revitalizing a Century-Old Tradition: Kuomintang Party History NFT Unveiled

The Kuomintang (KMT) held a press conference today (14) titled "A New Experience of Century-old Tradition, Revitalizing Party History with NFT," attended by Legislator Wu Yi-ting, Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council and Director of the Party History Museum Lin Chia-hsing, Director Peng Shao-fu of the Taiwan Blockchain University Alliance, Vice Chairman Du Ruo-yu, and Josphine, Business Director of Jingpeng Technology, participated through pre-recorded messages.

The Kuomintang (KMT) has created the first KMT NFT artifact by turning "Chiang Kai-shek's Command Knife" into an encrypted artwork for online exhibition, collection, and potential limited edition collectibles for trading and auctions, allowing many to experience the charm and historical spirit of the party and national history.

Legislator Wu Yi-ting, who has long been concerned with technology issues, stated that NFT is a novel digital product, and there are certain difficulties for the government to regulate it. She believes that when Taiwan's startup groups develop any platform, product, or service, regulatory authorities should not become stumbling blocks for the startup industry before they can be regulated. The role of the Legislative Yuan is to act as a mediator between startups and regulatory agencies, hoping that the government will not hinder the development of startups unless it is against the public interest.

Lin Chia-hsing stated that the KMT aims to connect with the younger generation and society, not only by supervising the government on people's livelihood issues but also by advancing into emerging fields and presenting practical and innovative solutions. He emphasized that in the "Policy Manifesto" passed at the party's general assembly in October last year, the KMT mentioned "creating a new era of digital art," promoting an information platform for digital art works, and developing the CryptoArt market. The KMT not only declares in words but also puts it into action.

Lin pointed out that in addition to millions of archival materials linking modern Chinese history, East Asian history, and world history, the party's historical museum also houses thousands of precious artifacts and historical figures' manuscripts and objects. Apart from digital preservation work, they actively think about how to revitalize the century-old party history with young colleagues and hope to inherit and promote the patriotism and struggle of predecessors. This time, by collaborating with a young startup team participating in CES and an established company producing the Palace Museum's cultural relics, the KMT has created the first KMT NFT artifact, aiming to use cutting-edge technology to showcase the party's "old tradition, new look" on the world stage.

The CEO of JINGPANG Technology, Richard, expressed through a written statement before the meeting that NFT brings the concept of "decentralization," giving rise to applications such as identity verification and digital asset management. Its characteristic of divisible transactions has ignited an auction, collection, and art trading frenzy for "crypto art" overseas.

Business director Josephine, through a pre-recorded video, stated that this time, the "Chiang Kai-shek's Command Knife" will be brought to CES, a global consumer electronics show leading the world's technological development, in a 3D virtualized manner for domestic and foreign media and buyers to appreciate this precious historical artifact together, which has received great response. She also highly agrees that this approach can help more people around the world understand past historical stories.

Lin Chia-hsing pointed out that this time, the chosen sword was presented to President Chiang Kai-shek by patriotic overseas Chinese in San Francisco in the 38th year of the Republic of China. It is believed that President Chiang Kai-shek himself wore it for a period during his early days in Taiwan. Later, it was treasured in the KMT's Party History Museum (formerly the Party History Commission), and its preservation is still in good condition. In addition to the copper plum blossom relief symbolizing "nation first" at the top of the handle, the beast-like fish scales relief on the side of the scabbard tip also signifies progress against the current and the spirit of striving upwards. This time, by reintroducing the sword in the form of NFT to the United States, it connects with the overseas Chinese community and showcases this historical period to the world, which is of great significance.

Peng Shao-fu, a director of the Republic of China Blockchain University Alliance, believes that the combination of NFT with artifacts or artworks has three meanings: first, the significance of digital preservation, a form of asset retention, such as the Winter Palace Museum's Van Gogh paintings and the British Museum's Ukiyo-e prints; second, the significance of modern curation, the KMT has many artifacts with historical significance, which can provide the public with accessibility after digitization, and artifacts can also prove history, strengthen the KMT's view of the Republican era, and the discourse power of the War of Resistance. Finally, the significance of public participation, NFT can circulate worldwide, increasing the accessibility of artifacts, facilitating transparent transactions, and presenting the self-portrayed value of modern people.

Vice Chairman Du Ruo-yu pointed out that Taiwan's blockchain technology is very strong and leading worldwide, but its application is not widespread enough. However, gradually, many fields have started to use blockchain technology, such as certificates or medical records, and games have also adopted it extensively. He believes that NFT is a digital certificate, and there will be more innovative breakthroughs in the future.