Taiwan has made progress on rights and liberties in the past year, according to the latest report by the US-based organization Freedom House.
Beginning in 1978, the Freedom House has released its annual Freedom in the World report in mid-December every year. Countries are ranked from one to seven in two categories -- political rights and civil liberties -- with one the top score.
In this year's report, Taiwan won the top score in both categories and was one of 88 countries listed as "free" out of 129 total nations. Fifty-eight countries were listed as "partially free" and 45 countries -- including China -- were judged "not free."
"Freedom House has affirmed that Taiwan is a highly-developed democratic country. The glory belongs to all Taiwanese people," Government Information Office Minister Pasuya Yao (
"It is also a recognition of the government's hard work and efforts to protect and promote human rights, as well as advance democracy," Yao said.
Yao pointed out China's poor performance again in this year's report.
Yao said that the Chinese government's efforts and achievements on the economy were recognized and remarkable. However, Freedom House identified China as "not a free country," a clear sign that there is still much room for the Chinese government to improve when it comes to democracy and human rights, he said.
Freedom House said it will release another index sometime next spring. In that index, there will more specific categories, including "the process of elections," "political diversity," "freedom of religion," "freedom of establishing companies," and "justice."
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