President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said in an interview that he does not advocate “directly exporting democracy” to China, adding that by increasing cross-strait interaction, the merits of democracy would “naturally” lead to positive changes in China.
In an interview with the Central News Agency (CNA) on Friday, Ma said that the nation had in the past seen China as a threat and ignored the opportunities it presented.
Ma told CNA that increasing non-political exchanges across the Taiwan Strait would inevitably transfer democratic values to China, and that the results would benefit Taiwan’s national security.
PHOTO: CNA
This was a more effective way to increase security than simply increasing defense spending, he said.
Ma said the nation’s democracy was on display for the Chinese during the presidential election. After passionate campaigns by both candidates, the loser gracefully conceded defeat and the winner humbly accepted victory, he said, adding that this “had shaken China like nothing else could.”
In response to a CNA question about whether the nation should try to “export” democracy to China, Ma said this was not necessary, as the Internet and satellite television meant that many Chinese can see the merits of Taiwan’s democracy for themselves.
Ma cited a message posted on the Web site of China’s People’s Daily following city and county elections in Taiwan in 2005.
Ma said a reader posted the message, asking: “Why can the Taiwanese go to their neighborhood elementary school and cast ballots in an election, but we cannot?”
Ma said that his proposal that Taiwan recognize diplomas issued by Chinese universities would also help the nation exert its influence on China.
Recognizing Chinese degrees will lead to a greater number of Chinese students studying in Taiwan, he said.
“When these young people who receive their education in Taiwan return home, they will become some of Taiwan’s best friends,” he said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man