President Ma Ying-jeou says that the upcoming municipal election shows that it’s possible for Western democracy to take root and bear fruit in Taiwan. He spoke about Taiwan’s democracy while receiving a delegation from the International Young Democrat Union on Monday. The delegation is here to observe the local elections and the development of Taiwan’s democratic system.
President Ma said that the Republic of China on Taiwan is Asia’s first democracy. He said the nation also experienced transitions of power in 2000 and 2008 and that Taiwan’s democracy has been praised by the international community.
“[When I got elected as president in 2008], George W. Bush sent me a congratulatory message saying that Taiwan is a beacon of democracy to Asia and the world," said Ma. "I have kept these words close to my heart to remind myself that I must continue to promote democracy. I’ve also started to implement viable diplomacy since then. That’s why the Republic of China’s international relations have been improving.”
The president said that although Taiwan only has 22 allies, 140 countries and regions offer Taiwanese nationals visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment. The president believes that this shows that Taiwan enjoys a very special kind of foreign relations.
Ma also said that with warming cross-strait ties, many Chinese tourists like to visit Taiwan during election season, in order to witness campaign activities first hand. That’s because heated campaigns are not seen in Mainland China.