The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday expressed concern over Beijing’s detention and conviction of several dissidents before the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
“Liberty, democracy and human rights are universal values that know no borders... The people of Taiwan will be watching [Beijing],” Honigmann Hong (洪財隆), director of the DPP’s Department of China Affairs, said in a press release.
Taiwanese will see how China’s undemocratic moves against and oppression of dissidents have become roadblocks to bilateral engagement, Hong added.
Hong called on China to release Gao Yu (高瑜), a 70-year-old former journalist who was detained on Thursday for “leaking state secrets,” and Pu Zhiqiang (浦志強), a respected human rights lawyer, who was arrested on Tuesday for “creating disturbances.”
Pu was detained after attending a seminar in Beijing about the Tiananmen Massacre.
The DPP also expressed concern about the case of Yiu Man-tin (姚文田), a 73-year-old Hong Kong publisher who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday on smuggling charges. Wire agency reports say his family has claimed the charges were a set-up to stop him from publishing books about Chinese leaders.
“We think that [the arrests] are an attempt by China to maintain stability ahead of the Tiananmen anniversary, to keep people — in particular the victims’ families and rights advocates — from talking about the massacre and to warn Hong Kong about its democratic movement,” Hong said.
While Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has reiterated his determination to fulfill the “Chinese dream” and ensure people’s well-being, Hong said that Xi should keep in mind that human rights and liberty are vital to well-being.
The DPP believes China needs to face the massacre honestly and relax its tight controls, 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
RSS