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Taiwanese leaders
offer their condolences
By Lee Hsin-fang and Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter, with staff
writer and CNA
Taiwan is saddened by the passing of former South African president Nelson
Mandela, who died on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a
statement yesterday. The government deeply admired Mandela’s remarkable lifelong
contributions to the promotion of freedom, democracy, justice, human rights and
reconciliation, the ministry said.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) paid tribute to Mandela’s life and legacy and
extended his condolences to Mandela’s family and the South African government
and people, the statement said.
On his official Facebook page, Ma wrote that he was saddened by Mandela’s
passing.
“As the news came just a few days before the Dec. 10 World Human Rights Day, I
feel particularly dismayed and sorrowed,” Ma wrote, praising Mandela as a human
rights fighter, and saying that Mandela’s spirit and perseverance in pursuit of
human rights and justice will remain alive forever.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said Mandela
was an honorable statesman that he had looked up to, because whether he was a
prisoner of conscience or the president of his country, he had remained adamant
in his determination to promote non-violent activism.
“Even after spending 27 years behind bars as a political prisoner, Mandela still
chose to embrace his opponents with a gentle heart and unite different ethnic
groups with forgiveness,” Su said.
Former DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also expressed condolences on Facebook.
“Looking back, Mr Mandela’s life was not just an exemplification of the
everlasting, cross-national values of freedom and democracy. His fight against
racial segregation and his endeavor to bring reconciliation and racial equality
allowed us to see the highest level of wisdom and selfless love of mankind … and
showed us it is possible to build a free, equal country free of discrimination
and oppression,” Tsai said.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said that Mandela was a globally
respected leader with a great democratic consciousness, whose demise was a great
loss to the people of South Africa.
“I had spent some time with Mr. Mandela when he visited Taiwan [in 1993]. He was
a straightforward and magnanimous man, and was really fond of Taiwan,” Wang
said.
Mandela visited Taiwan when he was leader of the African National Congress.
Then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) granted him the Order of Brilliant Star with
Special Grand Cordon, the nation’s highest honor for foreign nationals, in
recognition of his lifelong pursuit of freedom, democracy and justice.
Mandela praised Taiwan’s efforts to promote human rights and social justice.
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