The repaired Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck will bear a scar     Huang Jing-tai: It better showcases the Taiwanese spirit

Reporter Chen Zi-yin / Comprehensive report

The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck burst open from its “temple” on the last day of 2013, turning into a mass of yellow rubber like a duck yolk, startling people across Taiwan. But just three days later, Keelung City Council Speaker Huang Jing-tai immediately announced that “the little duck has come back to life,” and this afternoon (2nd), the duck underwent inflation work, making it arguably the “most legendary Yellow Rubber Duck in history.” However, Huang Jing-tai also stated that there will be a long repair scar on the Yellow Rubber Duck.He said: “Although the Keelung Duck now has an additional long scar from repairs, losing some of its original glossiness, it better showcases the Taiwanese spirit of ‘undaunted even when broken.’”


▲ The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck is arguably the most legendary duck, and will be reinflated to greet visitors again this evening (2nd). (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-yin)

Earlier, Huang Jing-tai released a press statement saying that in the face of the duck’s burst, the organizers had two options for crisis management: one was to borrow a Yellow Rubber Duck from Southeast Asia as a stand-in, and the other was to let the repaired Keelung Duck continue to fulfill its mission. Regarding these two choices, Huang Jing-tai believes thatalthough the healed Keelung Duck now bears a long repair scar and loses some of its original sheen, it better reflects the Taiwanese spirit of “undaunted even when broken,” and also embodies the determination to “strive upward despite adversity,” which should have an inspiring effect. Therefore, it was ultimately decided to let the Keelung Duck stay on duty and complete its mission.


▲ The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck burst instantly, startling people across Taiwan. (Photo / Screenshot from Chung Jonathan’s personal Facebook page)

Huang Jing-tai even said emotionally that the Yellow Rubber Duck and the city of Keelung actually share quite similar situations. Although the Keelung Duck has faced constant ups and downs and been subjected to ridicule since its exhibition, it has become more tenacious and determined to strive upward. Huang Jing-tai believes that from the moment the Yellow Rubber Duck entered Keelung Harbor against the cold wind and rain, change had already begun. He quoted the famous line by the great Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo: “The duck knows first when the river water warms in spring,” expressing the original intention of using the Yellow Rubber Duck to inject happiness into the city of Keelung. He believes its positive impact will gradually emerge.