March 13, 1996

On the eve of Taiwan's first ever direct presidential election on March 23,
China is conducting live ammunition missile tests and military exercises
near Taiwan.  Trying to provoke and disrupt Taiwan's democratic process,
China is creating tension and instability in the Asia-Pacific region.  Such
belligerent intimidation of the Taiwanese people will only deteriorate
China's already tarnished image, yet also strengthen Taiwanese people's
resolve to protect their hard-earned democracy.

Since its founding in 1949, the People's Republic of China has not ruled
Taiwan for a single day.  China claims Taiwan as a renegade province and is
using bluff and bluster to force it into "re-unifying" with China.  The 21
million people of Taiwan have shown great courage in recent days by defying
China's threats, and refuse to buckle down. However, if China continues to
get away with being able to bully its smaller neighbor for trying to gain
its rightful place in the international community, the escalating arms race
and regional instability could lead to disastrous consequences.

We ask all Canadians to join us in demanding that China immediately end all
its military intimidation toward Taiwan. Taiwan's sovereign independence
must be recognized and respected.  China needs to respect the desire of
Taiwan's people for peace, dignity, and mutually beneficial co-existence.
However, if China continues its campaign of terror, we ask all peace-loving
Canadian to join us to stop investing in China, boycott all Chinese product,
and stop contributing to the growth of Chinese army. As China threatens
world peace, we must let China know in no uncertain terms that there are
limits to acceptable international conduct and that continued uncivilized
behaviour has its consequences.  

Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada	
Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Canada
Taiwanese-Canadian Association of Toronto		
Taiwanese Credit Union of Toronto
Taiwanese Merchants Association of Toronto	
Taiwanese Seniors Association of Toronto
York Univ. Taiwanese Student Assoc.		
Canadian Taiwanese Women's Assoc. of Toronto
World United Formosans for Independence, Canada Headquarters

Contact persons:	Y-S Columbus Leo, (416)592-2231; yscleo@idirect.com
Dr. Harry Chen (416)235-4988; Kirk Lin (905)881-1110
			Sam Chang (416)255-3598; Rev. Chiang (416)321-1955

			Web Site for World wide action:
http://www.taiwanese.com/protest/