Mr. Edward McMillan-Scott, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Mr. John Ackerly, Director of International Campaign for Tibet, Mr. Willy Fautre, President of Human Rights Without Frontiers International, Chairman Hsu of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, other distinguished guests, Tibetan friends, ladies and gentlemen: Good morning!
It is a great pleasure to be invited to attend the “2007 International Symposium on Human Rights in Tibet.” This is indeed an auspicious occasion as so many Tibetan friends from all over the world and representatives from human rights organizations and Tibet-supporting groups from nine countries, including the U.S.A., the U.K., Germany, Australia, India, Mexico, Sweden, Norway and Japan, as well as overseas Chinese democracy advocates come to Taiwan for this Symposium. With so many friends concerned with Tibetan human rights getting together here, I would first like to extend my sincere welcome to all of you on behalf of the 23 million people of Taiwan and the government of Republic of China (Taiwan). I also would like to express my highest respect to all of you who have long been dedicated to promoting human rights in Tibet.
The relationship between Taiwan and Tibet has been very delicate. In history, Taiwan and Tibet did not have any connection until the KMT (Kuo Ming Tang) government moved to Taiwan. The KMT government considered Tibet as part of the Republic of China and this is where Taiwan becomes connected to Tibet. However, such a relationship did not receive wide recognition from Taiwanese and Tibetans. As more and more Taiwanese people recognize that the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, it is clear that Tibet has never been a part of Taiwan. Therefore, the “Eight Ministries and Two Commissions” (1) government structure specified in the constitution is out of date. The role and function of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission need to be overhauled and amended.
In 1997, Tibet’s spiritual leader Dalai Lama paid a taboo-breaking visit to Taiwan. This was an unprecedented event between Tibet and Taiwan. Dalai Lama came to Taiwan again in 2001 and I had the honor of meeting with him in person. During the meeting, I especially expressed my uppermost admiration to his belief in people’s freedom of will and choice of values because he defied China’s suppression and intimidation and insisted that Taiwan’s future should be determined by Taiwanese people. The meeting deepens the mutual understanding between Taiwan and Tibet, strengthens the friendship and helps in establishing a good relationship between the Government of Tibet in exile (Central Tibetan Administration) and the Taiwan government.
In the inauguration conference of the Taiwan-Tibet Exchange Foundation in 2003, I made a policy proclamation that Taiwan government no longer considers the people associated with the Government of Tibet in exile as Chinese, that we will treat Tibet and China separately, and that we will build a new Taiwan-Tibet relationship. The new policy has resolved the problems that used to hinder the exchange between Taiwanese and Tibetans.
Today, Tibet and Taiwan are sharing the same fate—we both need to confront the threat of China. The 23 million people in Taiwan can fully comprehend the suffering of Tibetans. And because of this empathy, Taiwan has given steadfast support and blessing to Tibet’s pursuit in national self-determination. At the same time, we have also paid ever higher respect to Dalai Lama’s strategic decision regarding Tibet’s future. It is my sincere hope that a closer cooperative relationship can be established between Taiwan and the Government of Tibet in exile so that we can help and encourage each other in our endeavors of pursuing freedom, peace and human rights for Taiwanese and Tibetans.
Taiwan and Tibet have been the world’s benchmarks in resisting China’s power and pursuing freedom under China’s military coercion. They are also the touchstones for examining whether the international society really respect human rights. If peace-loving, democracy-pursuing nations such as Taiwan and Tibet cannot be spared from China’s military intimidation, the international society should not bear illusion about China in their mind.
China intends to promote its power and image through hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If China doesn’t improve its human rights records and attempts to cover up the human rights issues using the Olympic Games, or prohibits foreign media from free investigation on truth, or enacts ridiculous, human-right infringing directives such as “Banning 43 categories of people from entering China during the Olympic Games”, then the Beijing Olympics will be the uttermost sarcasm and humiliation against the “preservation of human dignity” and “respect for universal fundamental ethical principles” as stated in the Olympic Charter.
Over here, I would like to reiterate that in view of the friendship and mutual benefit shared between the Taiwan government and the Government of Tibet in exile, Taiwan will support Tibetan people in safeguarding their basic human rights and pursuing for national self-determination. Taiwan will respect Dalai Lama’s proposition for resolving the Tibet issue. We also look forward to Dalai Lama’s another visit to Taiwan so as to further strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the Government of Tibet in exile and Taiwan and jointly pray and fight for the peace, freedom and human rights for the people of Taiwan and Tibet.
Finally, let me once again extend my sincere welcome to all of you on behalf of the government and Taiwanese people. I also would like to thank the organizers for their efforts in putting together this great event. I strongly believe that freedom, peace and human rights will side with justice and truth. As long as we work in solidarity, we will win the recognition and support from the international society and people of the world. Wish the Symposium a great success. Wish all of you good health, and wish you all the best. Thank you very much.
(1) The “Eight Ministries and Two Commissions” are Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission and Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission.
