Date: June 3, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 40
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (June 3, 2017) issued a statement on the 28th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Incident. It said that the principles of democracy and humanan rights pursued in the incident are universally shared core values. In recent years, mainland China has been committed reform, opening, and economic development. However, it is still unable to calmly reflect on the important historical significance of the Tiananmen Square Incident and has not vigorously advanced democratic political reforms. Instead, the Mainland has repeatedly limited the right of the people to freedom of choice on the grounds of maintaining political stability. Such actions deprive systemic transformation and reform in mainland China of positive momentum and support.
The MAC indicated that the Mainland has been promoting deeper reforms, anti-corruption, and rule by law in recent years; however, the Mainland authorities lack the courage to face up to the rebuilding of democracy and human rights values needed for internal development. It has also been unable to effectively implement democratic oversight by checks and balances and has strictly limited the people's right to speech, access to information, personal freedom, and so on. As a result, the authorities are increasingly distant from the people and unable to meet the public's expectations for the establishment of a democratic and free society with human rights and rule of law.
The MAC stated that Taiwan's experience in democratization and the process of promoting transitional justice have been positive forces in confronting past historical scars and facing future development. Cross-Strait relations should also advance from a foundation of protecting democracy and human rights. Mainland China has failed to draw lessons from the Tiananmen Square Incident. Moreover, it has not exhibited the values of democracy and human rights in its treatment of civil rights activists and dissidents. In the arrest of Taiwan national Li Ming-che, the Mainland has violated basic human rights protected by other civilized countries following the rule of law. It has failed to promptly announce specific evidence and make notification according to legal procedures, as well as ignored demands for family visits and the Taiwan government's repeated calls. This has incurred criticism in Taiwan and the international community over its harm to human rights. It has also made the people of Taiwan deeply question their freedom and safety in visiting the Mainland for exchanges.
The MAC called on mainland China to face up to historical facts, positively respond to the people's demands for democratic reform and protection of human rights, seriously reflect on the historical lessons of the Tiananmen Square Incident, and appropriately handle the Li Ming-che incident. Only then can the two sides have the opportunity to understand and share values with each other, as well as advance together towards a better new era.