This memorial hall was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek the first president of the Republic of China. Work on the hall began in 1976 a year after President Chiang passed away. Design by C.C. Yang who was also the architect for The Grand Hotel the memorial hall is white with a blue roof representing the dominant colors in the ROC flag; while the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) adorns the vaulted ceiling. A bronze statue of Chiang looks west symbolically to the Presidential Office Building and mainland China. The front plaza of the hall is also a major venue for democratic assemblies.