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Tiananmen Anniversary: Chu Urges Cherishing Freedom, Democracy, and Right to Speak

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Former KMT Chairman Eric Chu called for cherishing freedom and democracy on the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident.
  • Chu emphasized that history's value lies in learning lessons, not harboring hatred, and that freedom and democracy are not guaranteed.
  • He urged the public to remember history and have courage for the future, highlighting the importance of the right to speak freely.

On the 37th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, former Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu urged Taiwanese citizens to cherish their freedom and democratic rights. He stated that while time may obscure painful memories, the true value of history is in learning from its lessons rather than dwelling on hatred.

Chu emphasized that freedom and democracy are not inherent rights but hard-won achievements. He reminded the public that the ability to speak freely today is a result of individuals who paid a price for their ideals in the past. "Freedom was never a gift from the sky, nor is democracy a given in daily life," he said.

Freedom was never a gift from the sky, nor is democracy a given in daily life.

— Eric ChuFormer KMT Chairman Eric Chu speaking on the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident.

Commemorating the event, Chu stressed, is not about dwelling on the past but about self-reminders. "Facing history requires memory; facing the future requires courage," he stated. His remarks underscore the ongoing importance of safeguarding democratic values and freedom of expression in Taiwan.

Facing history requires memory; facing the future requires courage.

— Eric ChuFormer KMT Chairman Eric Chu speaking on the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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