China cannot ‘lecture’ a democracy: MACBy Hollie Younger and Jason Pan / Staff writers, with CNAChina has “no right” to criticize Taiwan’s democracy regarding the sentencing of former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. It is an authoritarian regime, and therefore cannot lecture the nation, a vibrant democracy governed by the rule of law, where judicial authorities conduct independent trials, he said. The Taipei District Court on Thursday found Ko guilty of accepting millions in bribes related to the Core Pacific City redevelopment project during his term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022. Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Thursday. Separately yesterday, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that anyone who believes the ruling party can manipulate the judiciary was be unqualified to become part of such a party.

Source: Taipei Times March 27, 2026 17:14 UTC