The freedoms of speech and expression are among the nation’s most precious assets, standing as pillars of its democracy. However, a shrine to communism created in Changhua County by a former military officer who advocates unification with China is a timely reminder for the government that it needs to remain vigilant over how democracy could be undermined and national identity disintegrated through abuses of these rights.
Wei Ming-jen (魏明仁), who is in the construction business, acquired a Buddhist temple seven years ago and converted it into its present form, with the national flag of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) flying and daily broadcasts of the Chinese national anthem.
Following years of complaints by locals, the Changhua County Government finally took action on Friday last week, cutting power and water supplies to the property and pledging to demolish illegal buildings on the site tomorrow.
Changhua County Commissioner Wei Ming-ku (魏明谷) said that respect for Wei Ming-jen’s right to freedom of speech meant that the county government had not taken action earlier, but the illegal buildings and use of the site to engage in activities that slandered national dignity had prompted the action.
Such remarks expose the mindset common among government officials, who more often than not maintain adherence to freedom of expression, but lack awareness of how national security and sovereignty are undermined by fifth columnists by means that go beyond the bounds of freedom of speech to become assaults on democracy.
Indeed, freedom of speech is not a license to abuse: There is nothing more unfortunate than when the values of democracy are twisted and the line between enemies and friends is blurred.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
However, Article 29 also notes that “in the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.”
Regrettably, it appears that the public’s sense of national identity remains vulnerable to Beijing’s infiltration and “united front” tactics. Why? The answer is simple: How can people be expected to tell friend from foe when the government itself appears to be just as confused?
While the military says that China is the enemy, with thousands of missiles aimed at Taiwan, the government allows the PRC national flag — a symbol of China’s sovereignty — to fly in streets across the nation.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), when it was in opposition, was critical of the then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration’s handling of issues when it came to China and concerning the nation’s security and dignity. However, even with the mandate of the public giving the DPP control of the executive and legislative branches, it appears to be just as gutless when safeguarding national security calls for boldness and toughness.
Or could it be that DPP officials, interested only in holding on to power, are not prepared for Chinese aggression?
In the event of a war with China, Taiwan has some surprisingly tough defenses that could make it as difficult to tackle as a porcupine: A shoreline dotted with swamps, rocks and concrete barriers; conscription for all adult men; highways and airports that are built to double as hardened combat facilities. This porcupine has a soft underbelly, though, and the war in Iran is exposing it: energy. About 39,000 ships dock at Taiwan’s ports each year, more than the 30,000 that transit the Strait of Hormuz. About one-fifth of their inbound tonnage is coal, oil, refined fuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG),
On Monday, the day before Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) departed on her visit to China, the party released a promotional video titled “Only with peace can we ‘lie flat’” to highlight its desire to have peace across the Taiwan Strait. However, its use of the expression “lie flat” (tang ping, 躺平) drew sarcastic comments, with critics saying it sounded as if the party was “bowing down” to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Amid the controversy over the opposition parties blocking proposed defense budgets, Cheng departed for China after receiving an invitation from the CCP, with a meeting with
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) is leading a delegation to China through Sunday. She is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing tomorrow. That date coincides with the anniversary of the signing of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which marked a cornerstone of Taiwan-US relations. Staging their meeting on this date makes it clear that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intends to challenge the US and demonstrate its “authority” over Taiwan. Since the US severed official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, it has relied on the TRA as a legal basis for all
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