打造「自由中國」：亞洲基金會與冷戰初期的臺灣（1952–1960）

Abstract

冷戰初期，美國政府積極圍堵共產黨中國對鄰近國家的滲透，唯恐亞洲赤化。中央情報局遂於1951年發起代號「DTPILLAR」隱蔽行動，意圖透過自由亞洲協會及隨後的亞洲基金會爭取亞洲民眾支持。為了拉攏廣大海外華人，亞洲基金會於1952年設立臺灣辦事處；將臺灣打造為「自由中國」一事，遂成該會行動重心。因亞洲基金會活動不只關係美國的心理戰布局，亦牽動受援國各領域發展，本研究運用臺灣與美國兩地政府檔案、亞洲基金會檔案、私人文書與報刊等材料，細緻考察1950年代亞洲基金會在臺灣的運作，及其與受援方的合謀、協商或交鋒，旨在以受援國視角重寫臺灣在冷戰中的角色，並進一步析論美國政府在冷戰中對民主與反共理念的權衡，以及該會對「戰後臺灣國家」形成之影響。 將臺灣與東南亞華人視為連帶的構想，清楚反映在亞洲基金會的「美援僑教計畫」、「購贈《自由中國》計畫」。該會構想以此將臺灣打造為「自由中國」的樣板，吸引華人青年學生、智識菁英並強化其反共、自由傾向。另一方面，又因「自由中國」此一宣傳性冷戰構詞的名實不符，而使亞洲基金會與美國政府陷入「自由中國兩難」。本研究顯示，亞洲基金會與美國的冷戰計畫高度仰賴受援國政府與民間團體的協助，相應政策與行動更受其牽制，或需與之協商。僑教案例顯示，美方往往必須依中共、東南亞華人政策而調整方針，並在一定範圍內默許國民黨政府滿足政權需要；資助《自由中國》一事，則透露冷戰中美國對第三世界獨裁盟友的政策矛盾，經常需要因現實反共需要而做出妥協。最終，由於現實考量，只是閹割性地導致臺灣的中國化，有關自由、民主的投資必須留待日後。

During the early Cold War, the U.S. government prioritized containing Communist China in Asia. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiated a covert operation named “DTPILLAR,” leading to the establishment of the Committee for a Free Asia (CFA) in 1951 and its successor, The Asia Foundation (TAF). In 1952, CFA established a Taiwan office to engage Overseas Chinese, specifically focusing on promoting “Free China.” This research utilizes government archives in Taiwan and the U.S., TAF records, personal documents, and publications to scrutinize the Asia Foundation’s operations in 1950s Taiwan, aiming to redefine Taiwan’s Cold War role from the recipient country’s perspective. The study dissects the U.S. government’s dilemma between free ideals and anti-communism during the Cold War, while evaluating the Asia Foundation’s impact on shaping “Post-war Taiwan Nation (戰後臺灣國家).” Considering affiliation of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia with Taiwan, the Foundation aimed to attract non-communist Overseas Chinese youth, students, and intellectuals through the “U.S. Aid Overseas Chinese Education Program” and “Free China Fortnightly Distribution Program.” Paradoxically, the Cold War rhetoric of “Free China” led to a Foundation “Free China dilemma.” This study shows TAF’s and U.S.’ initiatives heavily depended on recipient cooperation. The case of Overseas Chinese education reveals U.S. policy adjustments based on the Chinese government’s stance and policies of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asian nations, often tacitly allowing the Kuomintang government to meet its political needs. The sponsorship of the Free China Fortnightly exposes U.S. policy contradictions toward dictatorial Cold War allies, requiring compromises for practical anti-communist reasons. Ultimately, the initiatives resulted in a somewhat restrained Sinicization of Taiwan, and delay investments in freedom and democracy to the future.