TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) China Affairs Department condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Tuesday (Dec. 16) following the conviction of Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai (黎智英) on Monday (Dec. 15). They urged in their press release for Lai's immediate release and an end to the suppression of speech and press freedom.
The DPP China Affairs Department criticized the CCP for its authoritarian nature, asserting that the media founded by Lai practiced press freedom and offered political commentary. The department noted that the CCP views these actions, along with the civic rights exercised by Hong Kong's pro-democracy parties, as severe offenses.
Despite the CCP's promise of "one country, two systems" for 50 years, the national security law had already led to the dissolution of numerous pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's Democratic Party (民主黨) ceased operations on Sunday (Dec. 14), symbolizing the CCP's complete eradication of pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong. The DPP China Affairs Department remarked that Hong Kong has become a "testing ground for authoritarian rule" under CCP governance.
The department urged a reevaluation of any beliefs that negotiating with the CCP could bring peace. They warned that Hong Kong's current situation could soon extend to Taiwan and other areas within China's ambitions. They argued that the CCP's promises were merely deceptive tools, and only strength can deter authoritarian aggression and safeguard democracy, peace, and prosperity.
