I am deeply impressed by the warmth, faith, power and greatness of Taiwanese unity, and I can feel that the democratization and localization of Taiwan has eliminated animosity, obstructions and difficulties, in the process challenging all "impossibles" and overcoming all difficulties.
In Formosa, China and the United Nations I quoted a famous old Jewish saying by Rabbi Hillel symbolic of determination: "If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
Now, 40 years later, as Taiwan takes big strides forward as a country, every one of us must make a choice to contribute. I am grateful and moved, and I want to encourage everyone by paraphrasing Rabbi Hillel: If we Taiwanese don't make ourselves heard, then who will stand up for us? If we are only for ourselves, what are we? And if not now, when?"
Chen Lung-chu is president of UN for Taiwan and chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation.
Translated by Eddy Chang and Anna Stiggelbout
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