President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) criticized the social movements the nation has seen in recent years during yesterday’s Double Ten National Day speech, labeling them obstructionist groups that hindered the economy and engaged in “undemocratic” behavior.
To mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (ROC), Ma delivered a speech titled “Proud of Our Democracy, Proud of Taiwan” at a Taipei ceremony, which was attended by more than 400 foreign dignitaries, including Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore and Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes.
Much of the speech was devoted to how the adoption of a constitutional democracy has built today’s Taiwan, a feat Ma said would “serve as a guidepost for ethnic Chinese societies,” despite the challenges the nation has faced in its democratic development in recent years.
Photo: Reuters
“In the last year or two, protesters have resorted to some extremely zealous and illegal actions that ignored the lawful interests of people with different opinions,” Ma said. “In some cases, they went so far as to occupy government buildings.”
The latter part of Ma’s comments were an apparent reference to the student-led Sunflower movement, which occupied the main chamber of the legislature in March and April to protest the government’s handling of the cross-strait service trade agreement.
“Such undemocratic behavior has generated needless conflict, and allowed a minority to prevent legislative deliberations on many pending bills,” Ma said.
Photo: Reuters
While countries are pressing to establish economic and trade alliances, and take part in regional economic integration, Taiwan has remained at a standstill on this front, Ma added.
Ma said that a number of policies must be pursued to increase the nation’s economic integration with other countries, including proposals to restructure industries and make more value-added products, carry out deregulation and open up markets, “[and these] cannot be debated rationally” with such protests.
“What we have encountered ... is pure obstructionism that has made progress impossible,” Ma said. “If those who oppose our policies refuse to engage in discussion and are unable to propose any alternative, then they are not acting in the spirit of democracy, and Taiwan can only watch helplessly as its competitive advantages slip away.”
Photo: CNA
Ma urged the opposition camp to return to democratic constitutionalism.
“Let us all stay within the system and communicate with sincerity,” he said, adding that his administration is “quite willing to uphold democracy by talking with people from all walks of life in a spirit of complete candor.”
Ma also said that China should move toward constitutional democracy and honor pledges it made to Hong Kong when the territory was returned to China in 1997 that for 50 years it would allow “rule of Hong Kong by the people of Hong Kong,” “a high degree of autonomy” and “election of the chief executive through universal suffrage.”
Photo: Reuters
Ma said Beijing should take note that “now is the most appropriate time to move towards constitutional democracy” because China is experiencing rapid economic growth and its people lead affluent lives.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old