Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Taiwan is an island nation that after a long struggle with a variety of colonial masters has achieved and enjoys democracy. Unfortunately, across the Taiwan Strait is a different nation, China, which covets Taiwan's territory and sovereignty. Since the average Westerner may not always be aware of Taiwan's complex history and/or struggle for democracy, some understanding is in order. This is especially so if such said Westerner may hear, accept and/or believe erroneous memes like Taiwan has always been a part of China or Taiwan has been a part of China since time immemorial etc. So where does one start to deconstruct such falsehoods? Begin ironically with Taiwan's bigger neighbor across the Strait. How does China's ruling Politburo seek to legitimize its current rule and questionable all-encompassing identity while at the same time seeking to extend China’s borders?

The burning image of Thích Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese monk who self-immolated at a busy Saigon road intersection on June 11, 1963. Đức was protesting the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam's Roman Catholic government.

DHARAMSHALA, February 17: In a powerful message of solidarity, Vietnam’s Supreme Buddhist Patriarch, currently held under house arrest, expressed his support for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom.

The Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, Patriarch of the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, in a letter dated February 11 called the ongoing human rights violation in Tibet and the recent wave of self-immolations by Tibetans, a “challenge to all humanity”.