Taiwan-born composer and singer Richard Hou (侯德健), who took part in the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing in 1989, said Taiwan is a “political parvenu” because of its constant protest marches and demonstrations over the past two decades.
Hou made the remarks in an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television late last month.
Hou, who gained fame with his 1978 song Descendants of the Dragon (龍的傳人), left Taiwan for China in 1983, even though such trips were illegal at the time. He has resided either in China or New Zealand ever since.
He told Phoenix that all the elections, parades, demonstrations and protests that have taken place in Taiwan over the years are “like toys for the Taiwanese.”
“When children have new toys, they are always excited about them,” Hou said.
The excitement will fade gradually over the course of decades, he said.
Hou took part in a hunger strike during the Tiananmen protests, for which he was exiled from China. He lived in New Zealand for 16 years before being allowed to return to live in Beijing.
The 58-year-old Hou was reluctant to make any comments about China during the interview.
“I am a guest,” he said, adding that it might be hard for him to get a visa for China if “the host” takes issue with his views.
He said Chinese tourists to Taiwan should take the same approach and avoid saying anything Taiwanese do not like to hear.
“I suggest that you not speak out. As a guest, go sightseeing if you like and do whatever you like to do, but do not cross the boundaries,” he said.
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