Taipei hosts forum in celebration of World Freedom Day

The World League for Freedom and Democracy (WLFD) hosted a forum yesterday to celebrate World Freedom Day on Tuesday, saying the organization would fight for freedom and democracy in Taiwan and worldwide.

The WLFD was established in 1954 following the end of the Korean War in 1953. It was originally called "World League for Anti-Communism" and was renamed as the World League for Freedom and Democracy in 1990.

Many of the organization's executive members are members of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

KMT Legislator Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), executive director of the KMT's policy coordination department, was announced yesterday as the newly elected chairman.

He will take over from predecessor Yao Eng-chi (饒穎奇), a KMT Legislator and former deputy speaker of the Legislature.

Yao in his speech said that he often led the league to visit China "and won support and affirmation from China." He did not elaborate on how such trips to China helped contribute to the objective of the league in promoting freedom and democracy.

Some Democratic Progressive Party legislators have questioned the NT$30 million (US$902,000) granted annually to the organization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among guests at the event yesterday were Vice Foreign Minister Hou Ching-shan (侯清山) and KMT Vice Chairman Kuan Chong (關中), representing KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).