Vice President Lai Ching-te attended an event commemorating the 39th anniversary of academic Chen Wen-chen’s death July 2 at National Taiwan University in Taipei City.
 
Chen was a staunch supporter of Taiwan’s democratic development, Lai said. It is important for the people to reflect on his contribution and stand with those in Hong Kong resisting efforts to undermine the territory’s freedom and way of life, he added.
 
According to Lai, Chen’s death galvanized the struggle for democracy in Taiwan. Consequent sacrifices paved the way for the country’s eventual emergence as a beacon of freedom and democracy in the Indo-Pacific and around the world, he said.
 
Chen’s example will likely inspire more people in the territory, Lai said, adding that this takes on greater importance given recent passage of the Hong Kong national security law by the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress.
 
Taiwan is not standing idly by as the territory’s freedom, democracy and human rights are eroded. Effective July 1, the Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services—set up under the government’s Hong Kong Humanitarian Aid Project—is providing support and assistance to the people.
 
President Tsai Ing-wen also paid respects to Chen via her social media accounts. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to righting wrongs via the Transitional Justice Commission for those such as Chen who suffered during Taiwan’s authoritarian era.
 
Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Statistics of Carnegie Mellon University, died aged 31 shortly after returning to Taiwan for a family visit. His body was found the next day on the grounds of NTU. (TYT-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw