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Home Editorials of Interest Jerome F. Keating's writings Taiwan as the World Turns, Ma Ying-jeou Shuns Responsibility to Nation

Taiwan as the World Turns, Ma Ying-jeou Shuns Responsibility to Nation

It was another strange week in Taiwan. Chen Yunlin, the "Class C" (some even call him a Class Q) politician from China was here and the Ma government's growing desperation to have something to show after two and a half years was evident. Ma's people continued to fawn over Chen like he was a head of state. For Chen, coming to Taiwan has certainly saved Chen's lackluster career; the man who looks like an old greased-up Brill Creme ad was all smiles in appreciation.

Ma again went overboard in sending out the police to muzzle the freedom of speech of Taiwan citizens. This time to hide their visibility, more police were dressed in plainclothes to intimidate the protesters. This brought back memories of the police and government tactics of the Kaohsiung Incident; photographers caught them in the act.

In a totally different arena, though Ma has relinquished Taiwan's right to petition to the United Nations (UN), Taiwan was getting support from the strangest places. In a recent poll, more and more Hong Kong residents (now 42 per cent and approaching 50 per cent) support Taiwan's right to be rejoin the UN. It is strange indeed that while Taiwan's president continues his crayfish actions, those under China's autocratic rule are more bold in standing up for Taiwan and its rights. So the world turns in Taiwan.



Source: Jerome F. Keating's writings



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Newsflash


Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang speaks at an event in New Taipei City’s Chinshan District commemorating democracy activist Deng Nan-jung, who killed himself by self-immolation in his Taipei office in 1989 in protest against charges of sedition for his calls on the government to protect freedom expression.
Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday said that freedom in Taiwan has regressed since “a repressive government” had returned to power.

Su made the remarks at a ceremony in honor of Deng Nan-jung (鄭南榕), the late democracy advocate who set himself on fire 24 years ago and died in defense of “100 percent freedom of expression.”