President Tsai reiterates Taiwan’s commitment to upholding universal values...

2018/08/01

President Tsai Ing-wen said July 30 that Taiwan’s commitment to upholding universal values and safeguarding regional peace and stability remains resolute in the face of China’s efforts to suppress the country’s international space and threaten its democratic way of life.
 
 The 2019 East Asian Youth Games set for central Taiwan’s Taichung City were canceled last week by the East Asian Olympic Committee due to pressure from China, Tsai said. Beijing’s political interference in sport infringes on the rights of over 2,000 competitors from nine countries and territories scheduled to attend the event, she added.
 
 Taiwan will never bow to pressure from China, the president said, adding that as a responsible member of the international community, the country will continue to work with like-minded partners to defend shared values such as freedom of expression, human rights and the rule of law.
 
 Tsai made the remarks while receiving Juli Minoves Triquell, president of London-headquartered Liberal International, at the Office of the President in Taipei City.
 
 Earlier the same day, Minoves unveiled the simplified and traditional Chinese editions of the Andorra Liberal Manifesto at the headquarters of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei. Adopted by LI last year, the document reviews and reflects on the commitments made in the Oxford Manifesto at the organization’s founding in 1947.
 
 According to Tsai, as identified in the Andorra manifesto, shared values such as the rule of law and human rights are coming under threat around the world. Like-minded countries and organizations must unite to oppose those forces seeking to undermine freedom and democracy, she said.
 
 Noting that this July marks the 31st anniversary of the end of martial law in Taiwan, the president said that the country will continue to strengthen its hard-won democracy and defend progressive values. She thanked LI and Minoves for supporting Taiwan and expressed hope that expanded collaboration between like-minded partners will help realize LI’s goals of making the world a freer, more prosperous and more sustainable place.
 
 LI is an association of political parties, individuals, nongovernmental organizations and think tanks from around the world aimed at fostering the development of free societies. The DPP, which is chaired by Tsai, is a member.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=138878)