Taiwan envoy condemns journalist assault, calls attacker's actions 'thuggish behavior' linked to China
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Taiwan's Representative to the EU, Hsieh Jui-chi, condemned an assault on journalist Itaru Shiita in Taiwan.
- Hsieh described the attacker's actions as "thuggish behavior" indicative of the Chinese Communist Party's influence.
- The incident, where Shiita was punched after a lecture, has prompted calls for stricter penalties and reinforced warnings against engaging with communist China.
Taiwan's Representative to the European Union, Hsieh Jui-chi, has strongly condemned the physical assault on journalist Itaru Shiita, labeling the attacker's actions as "thuggish behavior" that serves as a stark warning to Taiwanese citizens about the dangers of association with the Chinese Communist Party.
Shiita, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, was punched by a 33-year-old Chinese national identified only by the surname Liao after delivering a lecture in Taichung. The assailant attempted to flee the country via airport but was apprehended by police before he could board a flight to Busan, South Korea.
This guy 'sacrificed' himself to warn the Taiwanese people, what kind of nightmare it would be to get involved with Communist China!
In a social media post, Hsieh expressed his condemnation of the assault and his defense of Taiwan's democratic values. He suggested that the attacker, in a way, "sacrificed himself" to illustrate the potential nightmare of entanglement with communist China. "Of course, the punishment should be carried out as it should be," Hsieh added, emphasizing that the perpetrator must face legal consequences.
The incident has reignited discussions about the influence and tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party and reinforced the importance of safeguarding Taiwan's democratic system. The attack on Shiita is seen by some as a manifestation of broader political tensions and a cautionary tale about the potential repercussions of engaging with entities associated with the CCP.
Of course, the punishment should be carried out as it should be.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.