Taiwan's Representative to the U.S.: Taiwan's Freedom and Democracy Is a Beacon of Hope for the Chinese People

Mar 01, 2025

Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, Bi-khim Hsiao, stated that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy pose a threat to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) because if the Chinese people were to enjoy the same freedoms, they might question the legitimacy of the CCP’s rule. This, she noted, is one of the key reasons why Beijing continues to exert pressure on Taiwan.

She emphasized that China’s ultimate goal regarding Taiwan has never changed, and people should not mistakenly believe that recent diplomatic gestures indicate a shift in policy. Taiwan’s democratic system, free elections, and freedom of speech make it a “beacon of hope” for the Chinese people. The CCP fears that Taiwan’s successful democratic model could inspire people in mainland China to yearn for democracy, just as the events in Hong Kong demonstrated. As a result, Beijing continues to strictly control speech and suppress dissent.

Hsiao reiterated that Taiwan is an “asset” to the United States, not a “liability”, positioning itself as a key partner to Washington, while China remains a strategic threat to the U.S. She reaffirmed Taiwan-U.S. cooperation and Taiwan’s plans to increase its investments and purchases in the United States, particularly in the energy and semiconductor industries.

At the same time, China’s Ministry of National Defense reasserted that the Taiwan Strait issue is an “internal matter” and warned Taiwan against “relying on the U.S. to seek independence,” adding that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would eventually “reunify Taiwan”.

In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated that history has proven that any act of aggression and expansionism ultimately fails, and that the CCP’s current actions are only leading it further into decline.

(Source: VOA)