Private Army

This video is about the visit of ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin to a temple in Changhua Taichung County. The report focuses on the large number of young men in red and pink t-shirts who are present to provide added security for the temple. Remember that in Taiwan temple's are usually not politically impartial institutions. Many, including the temple Chen was visiting, are reputed to be run by, or defended by, criminal and gangster elements. Many also have close links to local politicians who in turn allegedly use the temples for a range of political and financial purposes. The young men in the video are almost certainly members of one of the many gangs in Taiwan. This is why the report mentions an 'autonomous' zone whereby the number of 'temple security' is large enough to present a co-ordinated force that could challenge the ability of police to maintain order. This might also reflect on the degree to which the rule of law is respected or, more importantly, trusted by different sections of the Taiwanese public.