Taiwan Highlights China’s Democratic Deficiency in New Year Message, Reports Reuters

Taipei – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen made a pointed remark regarding China’s lack of freedoms in her message celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year. She expressed the hope that ethnic Chinese around the globe could experience the “blessing” of democracy.

Taiwan, which operates independently, is a highly sensitive issue for China, which views the island as part of its territory. Since Tsai, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, assumed the presidency in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified pressure on Taiwan. In a notable address in 2019, Xi asserted that China retains the right to use force to assert control over Taiwan while still preferring peaceful “reunification.”

In her message, shared on her official social media, Tsai emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to cultural traditions along with freedom and democracy. She pointed out that those in places without democratic freedoms might not fully grasp this commitment, adding, “We hope that ethnic Chinese all over the world can experience this blessing.”

Tsai went on to share three New Year wishes for ethnic Chinese individuals both at home and abroad, expressing her hope that they could enjoy democracy, freedom, and ongoing prosperity.

There was no immediate reaction from Beijing in response to Tsai’s comments. In Xi’s own New Year speech, he mentioned Taiwan only in the context of best wishes for the people living there.

As Taiwan approaches its presidential elections early next year, Tsai’s party has faced significant setbacks, losing in recent local elections to the pro-China Kuomintang party. Tsai has consistently urged China to respect Taiwan’s democratic values and to consider implementing democratic reforms itself.

Taiwan remains uninterested in being governed by an authoritarian regime, especially as Xi has led a considerable crackdown on dissent since he came to power six years ago, with the ruling Communist Party imposing tighter controls across various aspects of society.