Xiang Junjie

Kenneth Xiang Junjie (Chinese: 向俊傑; pinyin: Xiàng Jùnjié; August 27, 1902 - June 8, 2007) was a Tsengian musician and activist. He is known for writing the lyrics to Tseng's national anthem, "Glory to the Republic!"

Bio
Xiang was born Xiang Chaoyi (向朝一) in 1902, the son of a coal factory worker and a housewife. When Xiang was only 3, his father died in a factory accident, and his mother abandoned her son a year later. As a result, Xiang was sent to the notorious St. John's College boarding school in West Stone Coast. There, he was reportedly abused and assaulted by nuns and the headmaster. Eventually, he and three other pupils escaped the school in 1919.

To find work, he joined a theatre troupe, where, in addition to performing, also wrote and sang songs for the troupe.

By the 1920s, the Tsengian independence movement was increasingly gaining traction among Tsengians, Xiang included. He renounced his English name, Kenneth, and changed his name to Junjie (俊傑), meaning 'hero' in Chinese.

In 1925 he joined the 's Tseng division. Fluent in Mandarin, Hokkien, and Hakka, he wrote some songs for artists like Fred Zhang and Monique Zhuo. His songs subtly criticized colonial rule in Tseng, often under the guise of metaphors and imagery.

In 1938, Tseng came under Japanese rule and its inhabitants were oppressed. During this time, Xiang wrote his pièce de résistance, "Glory to the Republic!", which was quickly banned by Japanese authorities. Despite this, "Glory to the Republic!" was used as a symbol for Tsengian sovereignty and freedom of colonial hands, and in 1946, when Tseng became independent, the song became the de facto national anthem.

Afterwards, Xiang served as a member of the National State Assembly for Tseng City I constituency as a member of the National Prosperity Party from 1946 to 1962. During the Luanzheng Era, Xiang campaigned for "peace and progress" between the left-wing and right-wing extremists. Both didn't attack him, as he had written "anti-imperialist" songs in the past (which satisfied the leftists) and was the songwriter for the national anthem of Tseng (which satisfied the rightists).

Xiang continued to serve as a member of the National State Assembly from 1972 to 1974, before becoming a minister without portfolio under presidents Stephen Yang and Guo Ming-wang (1974-1979). In addition to his governmental job, Xiang was also the host of the Sing! Tseng competition from 1975 to 1981, when he retired from working altogether.

Xiang published his memoir in 1999 at the age of 97. He peacefully passed away in 2007, and was given a state funeral.