No. 086
During its 59th Congress held in the Netherlands’ Rotterdam on April 26, Liberal International (LI) passed a Theme Resolution titled “Enhancing Global Trade,” in which it expressed support for “pro-active development of trade relations between the EU and Taiwan.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hereby commends LI on its promotion of bilateral trade between Taiwan and the EU.
LI separately passed a World Today Resolution, in which it expressed concern for “excessive use of force” by police in responding to student-led protests over the proposed Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement, and for “a lack of transparency” in negotiations on the pact between Taiwan and mainland China. MOFA expresses its regret over such mischaracterizations.
MOFA stresses that the ROC is a democratic nation that abides by the rule of law and respects and protects the right of assembly. However, protesters’ destruction of public property, occupation of government premises for 24 days, and obstruction of public servants in the performance of their duties are infractions no democratic country would tolerate. The demonstrators chanted that they would block officials from going to work in the following days. This was why they had to be removed and, in some cases arrested, to prevent further obstruction of government operations. The removal and arrests were done carefully and with due regard to the principle of proportionality, which is why more policemen than protesters were injured in the process.
The ROC government understands that students and society at large are concerned about public affairs, and attaches importance to student petitions. The Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement has been sent to the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee per request of the protesters for an article-by-article review and debate. The Executive Yuan has also sent a draft of a cross-strait agreements oversight bill to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation in response to the petition of the students. (E)