Staff Writer, with CNA
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said he “hoped for the continued prosperity and development of China and wished Chinese authorities would accelerate efforts on democratic politic reform to safeguard human rights.”
In a statement issued by the Presidential Office in response to the impact of the so-called “Jasmine Revolution” on China, Ma also said he hoped the Chinese government would adopt “new concepts” and treat people with dissenting opinions more leniently.
“Let democracy and human rights be the eternal common language of the people across the strait,” Ma said.
Joseph Chen (陳永豐), director of the Presidential Office’s Department of Public Affairs, held a press conference in the afternoon to announce Ma’s official position on the protests in China.
“President Ma feels that democracy and human rights are values accepted by all, and are the extension of the principles advanced by Mencius [孟子] and Confucius [孔子],” Chen said.
“More importantly, it is the core value of Taiwanese and an -important index by which to measure the cross-strait relationship,” Chen said.
CONCERN
Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expressed concern and support yesterday for a message posted on the Internet two days earlier calling for a “Chinese Jasmine Revolution.”
Tsai, who made the remark during a meeting of the DPP legislative caucus, said the uprisings in the Middle East and the democratic movements in China are significant events and represent important international trends.
Taiwan’s insistence on democracy and human rights are the country’s most valuable assets and represent the foundations of the party’s development, Tsai said.
In the face of the great challenges from China, the DPP will protect the values of Taiwan and support jasmine revolutions across China and Middle East, she said.
The Taiwanese passport ranked 33rd in a global listing of passports by convenience this month, rising three places from last month’s ranking, but matching its position in January last year. The Henley Passport Index, an international ranking of passports by the number of designations its holder can travel to without a visa, showed that the Taiwan passport enables holders to travel to 139 countries and territories without a visa. Singapore’s passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227, according to the index published on Tuesday by UK-based migration investment consultancy firm Henley and Partners. Japan’s and
NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: An official said that Guan Guan’s comments had gone beyond the threshold of free speech, as she advocated for the destruction of the ROC China-born media influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China content that threatens national security, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. Guan Guan has said many controversial things in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” while expressing hope for expedited “reunification.” The agency received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification last year. After investigating, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and account for her actions. Guan Guan appeared as required,
Japan and the Philippines yesterday signed a defense pact that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with China, which was angered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be a survival-threatening situation for Japan, triggering a military response. Japan and the Philippines have also had separate territorial conflicts with Beijing in the East and South China
A strong cold air mass is expected to arrive tonight, bringing a change in weather and a drop in temperature, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The coldest time would be early on Thursday morning, with temperatures in some areas dipping as low as 8°C, it said. Daytime highs yesterday were 22°C to 24°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and about 25°C to 28°C in the central and southern regions, it said. However, nighttime lows would dip to about 15°C to 16°C in central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, and 17°C to 19°C elsewhere, it said. Tropical Storm Nokaen, currently
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