By Su Yung-yao and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerPresident Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) yesterday told foreign dignitaries that they support a democratic and free Hong Kong, and called for international cooperation on the issue. The comments echoed US Vice President Mike Pence’s remarks on Oct. 24 that the US stands by the nation in defense of freedom and democracy. China’s oppression of religious and ethnic minorities has intensified, and its use of violence against Hong Kongers is deplorable, Chen said. Chen called on the Italian delegation to urge China to improve its human rights record, appropriately handle the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and allow the territory to return to normalcy under the rule of law to maintain regional stability and peace. He has not only posted photographs of himself holding the Republic of China flag on Twitter, but has also posted that Taiwan is a democratic country that respects human rights.

Source: Taipei Times November 26, 2019 15:56 UTC