On Tuesday, in Taipei’s Ximending shopping area, a group of Taiwanese and Hong Kongers were standing on a street corner holding a protest against China’s National Day celebration. They had banners and flags with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times.”
Two Chinese tourists provoked a fight with the protesters, yelling: “Taiwan and Hong Kong belong to China,” tearing their flags and vandalizing the signage.
Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Lin Yen-feng (林延鳳) said the two Chinese tourists provoked a fight, disparaging Taiwan’s democracy and rule of law. Lin urged Taipei police to act swiftly and investigate the matter.
Lin’s request is reasonable and has legal merit. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation with its own judicial, executive and legislative branches.
No one, including tourists, is allowed to disrupt public order or start fights.
These Chinese tourists lack an understanding of the principles of freedom of speech and expression, best stated by English writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her famous summary of Voltaire’s democratic philosophy: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Chinese tourists have absolutely no right to limit the freedom of expression of Taiwanese or Hong Kongers, especially within Taiwan’s borders. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What right do they have to go around picking fights and trying to halt the freedom of expression and speech of people who reside here?
Taiwan is a nation governed by the rule of law. These tourists were caught red-handed contravening the Criminal Code by obstructing and infringing on others’ liberties in their attempts to tear down and destroy others’ property.
As Lin said, troublemaker tourists such as this Chinese couple cannot be allowed to make a mockery of the rights enjoyed by the citizens of this country.
It is important that we show resolve in defending our democracy and rule of law.
Hu Wen-chi is the spokesperson of the People First Party.
Translated by Tim Smith
Trying to force a partnership between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Intel Corp would be a wildly complex ordeal. Already, the reported request from the Trump administration for TSMC to take a controlling stake in Intel’s US factories is facing valid questions about feasibility from all sides. Washington would likely not support a foreign company operating Intel’s domestic factories, Reuters reported — just look at how that is going over in the steel sector. Meanwhile, many in Taiwan are concerned about the company being forced to transfer its bleeding-edge tech capabilities and give up its strategic advantage. This is especially
US President Donald Trump’s second administration has gotten off to a fast start with a blizzard of initiatives focused on domestic commitments made during his campaign. His tariff-based approach to re-ordering global trade in a manner more favorable to the United States appears to be in its infancy, but the significant scale and scope are undeniable. That said, while China looms largest on the list of national security challenges, to date we have heard little from the administration, bar the 10 percent tariffs directed at China, on specific priorities vis-a-vis China. The Congressional hearings for President Trump’s cabinet have, so far,
US political scientist Francis Fukuyama, during an interview with the UK’s Times Radio, reacted to US President Donald Trump’s overturning of decades of US foreign policy by saying that “the chance for serious instability is very great.” That is something of an understatement. Fukuyama said that Trump’s apparent moves to expand US territory and that he “seems to be actively siding with” authoritarian states is concerning, not just for Europe, but also for Taiwan. He said that “if I were China I would see this as a golden opportunity” to annex Taiwan, and that every European country needs to think
For years, the use of insecure smart home appliances and other Internet-connected devices has resulted in personal data leaks. Many smart devices require users’ location, contact details or access to cameras and microphones to set up, which expose people’s personal information, but are unnecessary to use the product. As a result, data breaches and security incidents continue to emerge worldwide through smartphone apps, smart speakers, TVs, air fryers and robot vacuums. Last week, another major data breach was added to the list: Mars Hydro, a Chinese company that makes Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as LED grow lights and the
RSS