Su Tseng-chang to speak at NED’s 40th anniversary

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Presidential Office spokeswoman Lin Yu-chan announced on Friday (Nov. 3) that President Tsai Ing-wen requested former premier Su Tseng-chang to attend and speak at the 40th anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). 

President Tsai praised Su's consistent fight for Taiwan's democracy and freedom, which began during the authoritarian period when he worked as a human rights lawyer.

During NED president Damon Wilson's visit to Taiwan in July, he attended the 20th anniversary international conference of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, awarding President Tsai the "Democracy Service Medal." This also marks NED's 40th year, during which President Tsai's contribution to democracy and human rights was recognized.

The president considers this honor an accolade for all Taiwanese citizens, as it signifies their efforts to uphold democratic freedoms and NED's steadfast support of the Taiwanese public, as explained by Lin.

During Su's term as premier, he advocated for marriage equality, making Taiwan the first Asian nation to implement it. Amid the global pandemic, he defended Taiwan's democratic freedoms, causing minimal social disruption and economic effects through minimal control. Hence, his participation in the upcoming NED event is representative and significant.

Lin announced that the NED celebration will take place on the evening of Nov. 14 Eastern Time, the morning of the 15th in Taiwan. Su is scheduled to board a flight to New York on Nov. 12 and arrive in Washington D.C. on the evening of the 13th Eastern Time.