Taiwan’s democratic experience can serve as an example for Chinese-speaking communities around the world. That’s the word from Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Shen Lyu-shun, on Sunday.
Shen was speaking at a flag-raising ceremony in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the national day of the Republic of China.
The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan; national day is observed on October 10th.
Shen said that the United States recognized the ROC a year after it was founded in 1912. That’s because the republic is a parliamentary democracy. He said that while Hong Kong is still struggling for full democracy and China is far from being a democracy, Taiwan is the only Chinese-speaking country which is a parliamentary democracy.
Shen said Taiwan’s experience in pursuing democracy is extremely valuable, and that he hopes it can be shared by Hong Kong and China as well.