The recently concluded 12th presidential election of the Republic of China is the fourth directly elected by the people. It was a long, hotly contested campaign but the election finally ended in a smooth and peaceful manner with Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying Jeou garnering 58 percent of the votes, thus electing him President.
The election drew international attention, 598 foreign correspondents covered the elections, as the new leader will play an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and boost Taiwan’s economy in the next four years.
The successful presidential election system of Taiwan can be a model for countries still struggling in their democracies. The outstanding characteristics manifested in the recent elections are:
(1) The free, democratic and transparent direct elections of Taiwan’s new national leaders continue to solidify the democratic value and conscience of Taiwan identity.
(2) The smooth and peaceful results of the election manifest the maturity of the democratic system in Taiwan despite the radical process.
(3) The Tibet incident once again proves that China “tramples on human rights and ignores democracy.” This demonstrates its authoritarian nature as compared with our democratic presidential election through which the people can strongly feel and compare the difference between the two political systems. The people of Taiwan cherish democracy and disdain authoritarian rule and will not accept the “one China, two systems policy.”
The whole world is once again a witness that Taiwan is a sovereign nation where the very essence of democracy is dynamically functioning. — WELLINGTON WEI, Press Director, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, 41/F Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City
