Prosecutor General's Exclusive Interview: "Life is Bound to Have Ups and Downs"

As Prosecutor General Hsing Tai-chao prepares to step down, he offers a reflective look back at his distinguished career, particularly addressing the controversial transfer to Kinmen over a decade ago. Liberty Times (Taiwan) sat down with him for an exclusive interview, where Hsing discussed how this move, widely interpreted as a "promotion in title but demotion in reality" by political factions, ultimately became a pivotal and surprisingly joyful period for him.

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Life is bound to have ups and downs, whether praised or hurt.

Initially perceived as a political sidelining after Hsing's assertive investigations in Kaohsiung drew criticism from local blue-camp figures who accused him of bias, his nearly four-year tenure in Kinmen proved transformative. Far from being a period of exile, Hsing describes these as his "happiest days." Immersed in studying German, Dutch, and Japanese legal scholarship with a small team of 12, he spearheaded the compilation of four significant legal works. This deep dive into foreign jurisprudence, coupled with his observations on Taiwan's reliance on translated theories lacking local case studies, ignited his ambition to construct a "Taiwanese local jurisprudence methodology."

Hsing draws profound meaning from the words of the renowned scholar Chen Yinke, particularly the phrase "or praised or wounded" (originally 'or discussed or debated'), which he adapted to "or praised or hurt." He uses this to encapsulate the inevitable fluctuations of life and career – periods of recognition and honor, followed by times of misunderstanding and criticism. This philosophy guided him through his career, from his time as Kaohsiung District Prosecutor to his current role as Prosecutor General. His Kinmen experience, he explains, was a crucial period of self-reflection and growth, transforming a perceived low point into a foundation for future endeavors.

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The reason why high temperatures are a risk to the heart lies in the fact that the body is forced to redistribute blood flow, reducing irrigation to internal organs to prioritize skin cooling, which subjects the cardiac muscle to constant metabolic stress.

This period in Kinmen was instrumental in shaping his later advocacy for a "local jurisprudence methodology" when he served as Taipei District Prosecutor and later as Prosecutor General. He likens his work in Kinmen to "planting trees in the desert" and "paving the way for future generations." For us at Liberty Times, Hsing's journey underscores a uniquely Taiwanese perspective on navigating political pressures and professional challenges. His ability to find profound meaning and intellectual stimulation in a posting initially intended to sideline him speaks volumes about resilience and the pursuit of academic and professional ideals, even amidst political turbulence. His emphasis on "independent spirit, free thought" resonates deeply within Taiwan's own democratic context, highlighting the importance of intellectual freedom and homegrown scholarship.

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independent spirit, free thought.