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Yu to China: seize the day

Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday appealed to the international community to maintain its concern for the development of human rights and democracy in China.

He also said the Chinese people were welcome to learn from the Taiwan experience, especially the holding of direct elections.

"The Chinese people should enjoy the same universal rights of democracy, diversity and freedom that Taiwan upholds," Yu said. "The government sincerely invites the Chinese people to bear witness to Taiwan's democratic system, including the legislative elections at the end of the year, which can lay the foundations for China's democratization and peaceful ascent [onto the world stage]."

Marking the 15th anniversary of 1989's Tiananmen Square Massacre on behalf of Yu, Cabinet Spokesman Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) urged Beijing to allow truth to be restored to China's historical record.

"The incident's significance lies in the fact that people on both sides of the Strait are trying to bring about democratic systems. Democracy, which has already become a part of `Taiwanese values,' can also become a core value of Chinese culture," he said.

"Only a diverse and democratic society can meet the expectations of the people -- on both sides," Chen said.

Chen noted remarks by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in his inauguration speech that the first two decades of this century would be crucial for national development and for China's liberalization.

"Yet," Chen Chi-mai said, "although this year is the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the behavior of Beijing, which has included a military crackdown on civilians in 1989, Internet restrictions and its general dictatorial manner, remains unchanged.

"Moreover, the freedom and democracy requested by the Chinese people has not been brought about and the country's human rights record has failed to make concrete progress," he said.

Chen Chi-mai said that Taiwan hoped China would undertake a thorough review of policies to protect the basic freedoms of speech and assembly.

"President Chen suggested that both sides should form a dynamic peace framework for cross-strait interaction and maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait ... [They] should also improve cultural and economic interaction, especially the three direct links," he said.
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