Readers React: Taiwan protest about values, not fear of China

To the editor: Timothy Webster is right to say that the 2014 protest in Taiwan is not the scheme of Western countries. But to chalk up the protest to “fears of China” is not appropriate, as our desire is to keep what we cherish the most: the universal values of human rights, democracy, freedom of speech, equitable prosperity and the rule of law. (“The West gets the blame, but it’s China that Hong Kong and Taiwan fear,” Op-Ed, Oct. 2)

Unlike Hong Kong, the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation that holds its own elections for president and parliament. That is why our president, Ma Ying-jeou, supports Hong Kong in its demands for greater democracy and could not accept mainland China’s “one country, two system” formula.

We hope mainland China will eventually develop an open, reasonable and peaceful system in which Taiwan, Hong Kong and the surrounding countries can dispel their doubts and wariness.

Steve C.C. Hsia, Los Angeles

The writer is director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles.

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