Protest Statement

	The People's Republic of China has once again begun firing
missiles near the coast of Taiwan.  Such belligerence violates
international order, peace, and security.  The Taiwanese people
will firmly protect Taiwan's democracy, independence, and
freedom, and will not kowtow to China's belligerence or
provocation.

	The direct election of Taiwan's president on March 23 is the
result of ceaseless sacrifice and struggle for democracy. 
Democracy is a Taiwanese reality, and the Taiwanese people's
pursuit of it will never end.  China's military threats not only
demonstrate the Chinese leadership's uncivilized, belligerent,
hegemonic, and backward psychology, but also expose the
weaknesses of the Chinese leadership.  Such threats cannot halt
or take away Taiwan's democracy and can only serve to encourage
the Taiwanese to unite and defend Taiwan's democratic reality.

	Most people of the world desire a peaceful environment.  The
people of Taiwan also wish to sustain a permanent peace with
China.  Peace is beneficial to the citizens of both countries
and corresponds to the national interests of both.

	We remind the Chinese leadership that democracy and
nation-building are necessary elements in the progress of
Taiwanese society.  Such aspirations are the result of the
self-awakening of the Taiwanese people, not the product of
foreign influence.  The Chinese have insisted on deterring
foreign powers from supporting Taiwanese independence.  This
only serves to ignore reality.  The Taiwanese people have the
right to pursue the support of all peace-loving countries that
respect Taiwan's democracy and independence, and it is China's
military threats that are in fact foreign interference.


Taiwanese Association of America

Greater Washington D.C. Chapter