I am happy to extend Indepen-dence Day greetings to our friends in the American community of Taiwan on the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Fourth of July is a time of celebration for all Americans, and it is especially dear to those of us living abroad.
In the summer of 1776, delegates from the thirteen British colonies in North America gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to discuss a bold proposition -- the creation of a new nation. On July 4, 1776, those assembled there voted to approve the Declaration of Independence, and that date has since been regarded as the official birthday of the United States of America.
Last weekend the American Chambers of Commerce in Taipei and Kaohsiung got together with Taipei American School to again host terrific, traditional American Fourth of July celebrations. The American Institute in Taiwan, on behalf of the American community is grateful for the leadership of the American Chambers of Commerce for all the hard work, energy and resources that were part of the festivals.
All of us at the American Institute in Taiwan today wish to express our very best wishes to the American community for a happy Fourth of July. We would like to acknowledge our appreciation for the support and friendship of our Taiwan friends and neighbors. The people of the US and the people of Taiwan are bound by close friendships, strong commercial and cultural ties, as well as the shared values of democracy, family and prosperity.
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people" -- this is the great mantra of democracy first stated by President Abraham Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg address. It has become the rallying force for democracy throughout the world. Another renowned observer of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville, earlier in the nineteenth century in the US noted, "It is evident to all alike that a great democratic revolution is going on among us, but all do not look at it in the same light. To some it appears to be novel but accidental, and, as such, they hope it may still be checked; to others it seems irresistible, because it is the most uniform, the most ancient, and the most permanent tendency that is to be found in history." De Tocqueville's words are as appropriate in the 21st century as they were in the 1800s. Today we see democratic systems of government being built all around the world -- nowhere more prominently than in Taiwan. We salute Taiwan's embrace of this 'irresistible' democracy. Democracy is a living system which demands constant vigilance and participation -- not a passive conception of what might be. The people of Taiwan over the past few years have shown their commitment to establishing and maintaining a democratic system of government which will support prosperity and stability into the new century.
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, and third president of the US, is revered as one of the forefathers of our great nation. On the 50th anniversary of Independence Day, he reminded all Americans to celebrate democracy as we celebrate the Fourth of July: "Self-government ... restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion ... Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them." I would like to paraphrase from President Jefferson's own exhortations in praise of democracy: Let us then, with courage and confidence, pursue our own principles, our attachment to representative government.
I am pleased to have been part of a strengthening and broadening of the relationship between Taiwan and the US. We have accomplished much together, and I applaud our growing partnership. I would like to express my fondest wishes for continued happiness, prosperity and peace to the people on Taiwan.
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE: More than five earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook eastern Taiwan in rapid succession yesterday afternoon Back-to-back weather fronts are forecast to hit Taiwan this week, resulting in rain across the nation in the coming days, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday, as it also warned residents in mountainous regions to be wary of landslides and rockfalls. As the first front approached, sporadic rainfall began in central and northern parts of Taiwan yesterday, the agency said, adding that rain is forecast to intensify in those regions today, while brief showers would also affect other parts of the nation. A second weather system is forecast to arrive on Thursday, bringing additional rain to the whole nation until Sunday, it
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Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique