President Ma Ying-jeou is urging China to move towards democracy. The call came in his National Day address on Friday.
Ma delivered an address titled “Proud of Our Democracy, Proud of Taiwan” at the National Day ceremony on Friday morning. Commenting on Taiwan’s relations with China, the president said the two sides have moved from tension to rapprochement. He said “now is the most appropriate time” for China to move toward democracy.
“The Chinese Mainland is experiencing rapid economic growth, and its people lead affluent lives," Ma said. "As an ancient saying goes: ‘People cannot concern themselves with questions of honor or disgrace until their need for clothing and food is first taken care of, nor can they take any interest in matters of propriety until their granaries are full.’ Now that the 1.3 billion people on the mainland have become moderately wealthy, they will of course wish to enjoy greater democracy and rule of law. Such a desire has never been a monopoly of the West, but is the right of all humankind.”
Also during the address, Ma expressed his support for the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of a real chief executive election. Ma also called on Beijing to keep its promise to Hong Kong, which was 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.