Recently at the Taiwan Center in Los Angeles, Vice Chairman Jie Lijian of the China Democratic Party Headquarters represented the party and personally delivered a congratulatory message to Vice Chairman Wu Zhaofeng of the center. The message extended congratulations to Tsai Ing-wen and Xiao Meiqin on their respective inauguration as the 16th President and Vice President of Taiwan, and expressed gratitude for the support provided by members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the Western United States and the Taiwan Center over the past year.
The congratulatory message praised Taiwan’s democratic and economic achievements since the first direct presidential elections in 1996. It commended Tsai Ing-wen’s commitment to promoting economic innovation, social justice, and diplomacy, benefiting Taiwan and inspiring the global Chinese community. The message also expressed admiration for the DPP’s stance on maintaining peace and dialogue in cross-strait relations.
The China Democratic Party Headquarters stated its strong support for Taiwan and its joint pursuit of democracy and freedom. It expressed the hope to continue collaborating with the DPP to promote democratic values and achieve peace and justice. Lastly, it thanked Tsai Ing-wen for leading Taiwan and serving as a shining beacon of democracy for the world.
“This letter represents the respect and support of all members of the China Democratic Party,” Jie Lijian said. He highlighted Tsai Ing-wen’s achievements over the past eight years in advancing Taiwan’s economy, politics, and democratic development, making Taiwan a role model for the world to learn from. “We are not supporting a party, we are supporting Taiwan’s democratic model,” he emphasized.
After delivering the congratulatory message, Jie Lijian stated that the China Democratic Party Headquarters and the DPP Western United States Headquarters share common ideals in democracy, human rights, and freedom, and have supported each other closely over the years.
Last year in April, during Tsai Ing-wen’s transit through Los Angeles, Jie Lijian led members of the headquarters to welcome her and ward off harassment from pro-Communist groups. At the conclusion of Tsai’s visit, Jie Lijian, among the send-off crowd, told her, “You are our role model, and we will always support you.” Tsai Ing-wen shook his hand in gratitude.
In early June this year, prior to the “Democratic Road” lecture forum organized by the Taiwan Center and featuring democracy leader Sheng Xue, some members and their families from the China Democratic Party Headquarters faced threats from pro-Communist elements. Sheng Xue herself received death threats, causing concerns over the event’s security. Wu Zhaofeng, who provided the venue, contacted local law enforcement, and several police officers were present to ensure safety. Wu Zhaofeng accompanied the event throughout to address any security issues promptly.
Jie Lijian condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s cross-border persecution in Europe and America, calling it “extremely barbaric and rampant.” He emphasized that the terror of the Chinese Communist system only highlights the beauty of freedom and democracy in Taiwan.
During Lai Ching-te’s term as Vice President in 2022, he also transited through Los Angeles. Jie Lijian described Lai as approachable, with an infectious smile. “As an elected national president, he governs solely for the people, to serve human rights and freedom, which starkly contrasts with communist authoritarianism,” Jie Lijian remarked.
The DPP has broken the curse of Taiwan’s single-party rule lasting no more than eight years, officially commencing its third term. In the 2024 global ranking of wealthiest countries, Taiwan surpassed Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and others, ranking 15th worldwide with the highest happiness index in East Asia. Jie Lijian reflected, “Taiwan and the Beijing dictatorship of the Chinese Communist regime are poles apart.”
Invited by Wu Zhaofeng, Chairman of the “Taiwanese American Summer Camp” in the Western United States, Lijian will attend the “Taiwan Strait Peace Youth Forum” on June 12-14 next month along with Chen Chuangchuang, Executive Director of the China Democratic Party, lawyer, and social media influencer Lele Farley, and many other guest commentators. ◇