President Lai urges China to confront Tiananmen Square legacy, grant civil rights

Taipei, June 4 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday urged China to face up to the Tiananmen Square Massacre on its 37th anniversary and grant fundamental civil rights to the Chinese people.

In a social media post, Lai recounted that thousands of young Chinese were "gunned down and crushed by troops and tanks on the streets of Beijing, in Tiananmen Square, and across China" on June 4, 1989.

"A truly great nation should not place its faith in military might or the pursuit of force," Lai wrote. "Rather, it should embrace diverse voices, protect the people's right to pursue their dreams, and have the courage to confront the wounds of its history."

"I sincerely hope that China will confront the June Fourth Incident, 37 years ago, acknowledge the truth, heal the pain, and begin a process of reconciliation and dialogue," he wrote.

The president further called on China to grant its people civil rights, including the freedom of expression and the right to participate in public affairs, and prioritize the voices of young people.

"Its people should be free to express their views, and people of different generations and perspectives should all be able to participate in public decision-making," Lai wrote. "The voices of younger generations, in particular, deserve to be heard, because their vision of the future is what drives a nation forward."

Lai said that Taiwan will continue to stand with those who strive for freedom and democracy until the truth is revealed and until no one has to sacrifice their lives simply to seek freedom.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Wednesday urged China to respond to its people's calls for justice and fairness and launch political reforms to allow civic participation in public affairs.

China must abandon its one-party authoritarian model of governance in order to genuinely safeguard fundamental human rights and realize a truly civilized society, MAC said in a press release issued Wednesday night.

It also called on Beijing to respect the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy and choice of democratic governance, and to stop its intimidation and coercion of Taiwan.