Academic, cultural groups and nonprofit organizations yesterday joined to express opposition to the passage of China's "anti-secession" law.
Led by representatives from cultural and academic groups, including noted musician Guo Jhih-yuan (郭芝苑), Cloud Gate Dance Theater founder and artistic director Lin Hwai-min (林懷民) and film directors Tsai Ming-liang (蔡明亮) and Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), the "For Freedom and Peace, Taiwan Rejects China's Anti-Secession Law" press conference denounced China for depriving the Taiwanese people of the right to self-determination.
"I am an overseas Chinese from Malaysia," Tsai said in a statement. "Taiwan has given me so much freedom to express my opinions through my films."
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"I think that the Taiwanese people should enjoy the freedom to decide their own future," he said.
During the press conference, the group issued a declaration stating that the right to self-determination would not be forfeited.
"We gather today to say we insist on freedom of choice regarding future relations across the Taiwan Strait, despite our differences," said Wu Nai-teh (吳乃德), a sociologist from the Academia Sinica.
The declaration said that the passage of the law not only fails to maintain stability in the region, but also demonstrates China's disdain for the fundamental human values that are honored by civilized society around the world.
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