Taiwan can serve as a role model for human rights in Asia, blind mainland Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng said June 23 as he arrived on the island at the start of an 18-day trip.
ROC Presidential spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei said President Ma Ying-jeou welcomed Chen’s visit, which will allow him to witness how respect for human rights can take root in ethnic Chinese society.
“The president welcomes Chen to make an in-depth examination of Taiwan’s society and democratic institutions, and to personally experience Taiwan’s beautiful scenery, wonderful food and moral values to obtain a lasting impression of the nation.
The government welcomes mainland Chinese who are invited by local groups to visit Taiwan, as long as they complete the application procedure, and Chen’s visit is a clear example of this policy in action, Lee said.
“Respect for human rights is an important pillar of a democratic society, and the ROC is making great efforts to comply with the standards set by advanced nations,” Lee said.
“By visiting all levels of civil society, Chen will be able to see that Chinese culture is fertile ground for the development of democracy, giving hope for an improvement in the human rights situation in mainland China. The shortest path to bridging the gap in mindsets between people on the two sides is progress in human rights,” she added.
Chen, who is visiting the nation following an invitation from the Taiwan Association for China Human Rights, is scheduled to speak at the Legislative Yuan, National Taiwan University and National Cheng Kung University, TACHR Chairman Yang Hsien-hong said. Yang added that efforts are being made to recruit Chen to teach in Taiwan.
Chen is a self-taught lawyer who angered mainland Chinese authorities by exposing abuses of the one-child policy, later escaping from house arrest. (SDH)
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