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Tsai calls for more
measures to support democracy in China
TAKING THE WHEEL: The DPP presidential candidate
said working with Chinese activists would help steer China toward a path of
freedom and democracy
By Vincent Y. Chao / Staff Reporter
Taiwan must remain committed to China’s democractic movement and take more
substantial measures as cross-strait ties deepen, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
“We must clearly show the world the steadfast importance that Taiwan attaches to
the values of democracy and human rights,” Tsai told a forum marking the 22nd
anniversary of China’s Tiananmen Square Massacre on June 4. “We must use
Taiwan’s democratic assets to support Beijing’s democratization.”
The crackdown on student activists by the Chinese military in June 1989 was a
“very important historical event” that has shaped and will continue to influence
the development of contemporary China, Tsai said.
Hundreds are believed to have been killed during the crackdown, although the
exact number remains uncertain.
Since 1989, China has experienced astonishing growth, but that rise has not been
followed by corresponding increases in freedoms and human rights, Tsai said.
Replacing “democracy with stability” has been one of the justifications used to
curtail Chinese democratic activists, she said.
‘UNIVERSAL VALUES’
“[However,] human rights are a universal value and the principle of democracy is
the bedrock of protecting that [value],” Tsai said, as she called on Beijing to
“come to terms with the public voices in support of democracy” and start
political reforms to foster its development.
Tsai, who is the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential
election, also told the DPP-organized forum the party would continue to “closely
monitor” affairs in China and seek to help advance its democracy movement by
conducting dialogue with China-based democratic activists.
Not only would this strengthen Taiwan’s own democracy, “it would also help steer
China toward a more free and democratic path,” she said.
TOUGH TALK
The government should also offer more “substantive measures,” Tsai said, by
including topics relating to human rights and democracy in cross-strait
diplomacy discussions and signed agreements.
Last year, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) drew criticism from human rights groups
and lawmakers, who accused the government of softening its support for China’s
democracy movement amid growing ties with Beijing. Critics said Ma had toned
down his comments on human rights abuses.
While the president has yet to make a statement about the massacre this year,
Tsai said it was “regrettable” that Ma had chosen to remain relatively silent in
the past in favor of facilitating ties with China.
“To remain silent about China’s crackdown on freedom of speech and its
suppression of democratic activists does nothing to help China move in the right
direction. Instead, it will lead to a reversal of Taiwan’s human rights and
democracy,” Tsai said.
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