Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭 美琴) and National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) have made public comments on social media about the death of US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday during a public event in Orem, Utah.
“Shocked to see the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination,” Hsiao, who served as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US from 2020 to 2023, wrote on X after the shooting.
Taiwanese, like Americans, see “university campuses as safe places for learning, free speech and debate,” Hsiao wrote, referring to the killing of Kirk, 31, who was shot at Utah Valley University.
Photo courtesy of the TSU
“Different views can be argued, but violence must not be tolerated, on campus or anywhere,” she added.
Wu called Kirk’s killing a “terrible tragedy.”
“My sincere condolences to his family and millions of Americans, and people worldwide, who loved him dearly,” he wrote on X.
Kirk was one of the most prominent voices of the “Make America Great Again” movement within the Republican Party and a staunch supporter of US President Donald Trump. His death has drawn worldwide attention.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) also took to social media yesterday to condemn political violence, calling the death of Kirk "a loss for democratic society."
In a Facebook post, Lin, who is visiting Europe, said: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic shooting of American opinion leader Charlie Kirk, while he was engaging in debates on campus. The suspect has since been apprehended."
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly condemns all forms of political violence. I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Kirk’s wife and family," he added.
Separately yesterday, Taiwan Solidarity Union Chairwoman Chou Ni-an (周倪安) led a delegation to the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei to express condolences to the US and Kirk’s family. A pastor led the gathering in prayer and flower offerings, and the crowd sang the hymn Amazing Grace in his memory.
Chou described Kirk as a contemporary freedom fighter who fearlessly faced slander and attacks from the left with courage. Through his eloquence, he inspired a generation of Americans to rediscover traditional values and a patriotic spirit, she said.
Kirk had also worked to raise awareness of the threat China poses to the free world and of Taiwan’s importance within it. In this regard, Taiwan should honor him after his untimely passing, she added.
Formosa Republican Association chairman Chen Yen-sheng (陳彥升) said Kirk, guided by his faith and values, sought to lead young people back to traditional values, helping to make the world a place filled with love and peace.
“I hope that the people of Taiwan could also follow his spirit, and protect our freedom and democracy,” he said.
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