Taiwan's Foreign Minister Links Tiananmen Anniversary to Czech Velvet Revolution, Criticizes China's Authoritarianism
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Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung marked the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown by drawing parallels with the Czech "Velvet Revolution." He criticized China's ongoing authoritarian expansion and suppression of its people and overseas dissidents, emphasizing Taiwan's shared history of resisting authoritarianism with the Czech Republic and the need to defend democracy.
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Today (4th) marks the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung stated this afternoon at a press conference for the visiting delegation of Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil that the Czech Republic bid farewell to dictatorial rule with the "Velvet Revolution," while the 1989 Tiananmen incident ended in bloodshed. The Chinese regime suppressed its own people and continues its authoritarian expansion. Taiwan and the Czech Republic both have histories of confronting authoritarianism, and Taiwan and the Czech Republic will unite to safeguard a life of democracy and freedom.
Lin Chia-lung said that today is June 4th, a day of sorrow. The Czech Republic bid farewell to dictatorial rule with the "Velvet Revolution" during the third wave of democratization, and the independence of the Czech Republic and Slovakia was achieved peacefully. However, the Tiananmen incident that occurred in China on June 4, 1989, ended in bloodshed. We see that this regime suppressed its own people and continues its authoritarian expansion.
Lin Chia-lung pointed out that Taiwan and the Czech Republic both have histories of confronting authoritarianism, and Taiwan and the Czech Republic will unite to safeguard a life of democracy and freedom.
Lin Chia-lung also said on Facebook that 37 years ago, the gunshots in Tiananmen Square extinguished the flame of democracy and freedom that the Chinese people were striving for. In almost the same era, the forces pursuing freedom and democracy in Taiwan gradually blossomed and bore fruit after the Wild Lily student movement. "From then on, China and Taiwan embarked on different paths."
Lin Chia-lung said that many years ago, he, Wang Dan, and some friends at home and abroad jointly initiated the "Chinese Democratic Academy" with the hope of gathering friends who are committed to promoting democracy in Chinese communities, so that the concepts of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law can flourish in the Chinese world, including China. Today, the Chinese Democratic Academy is once again holding an event to commemorate June 4th.
Lin Chia-lung said that 37 years later, China's attempts at authoritarian expansion are becoming increasingly strong. In addition to suppressing its own people through speech control and stability maintenance, China also uses long-arm jurisdiction, cross-border suppression, and information manipulation to oppress overseas democratic activists. It even uses the openness and freedom of democratic societies to attack and weaken democracy, spreading authoritarian narratives and values.
Lin Chia-lung emphasized, "This is precisely why we need to publicly commemorate June 4th even more." Taiwan has experienced authoritarianism and has seen generations of young people push open the doors of democracy. We understand the preciousness of freedom even more. Taiwan has a responsibility to stand with all those who are still pursuing freedom, becoming a firm and warm force in the international democratic camp.
Lin Chia-lung said that democracy requires memory, and freedom requires courage. Commemorating June 4th is not to perpetuate hatred, but to safeguard the truth, and to let the next generation know that freedom has never been a given.
