TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See commemorated a previous visit by Shih Ming-te, the former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman, in 2019 via a statement on Monday (Jan. 15).
Shih had signed a message there expressing elation at the sight of Taiwan's flag waving in foreign lands and desiring to see justice fulfilled and the flag flying everywhere.
"Walking on the Avenue of Reconciliation before Piazza San Pietro, one sees a flag seldom allowed to fly in other places — our flag — a passionate emotion stirs up within at that moment," Shih's message wrote.
His message continued, "How I wish hatred can be laid down, justice can be fulfilled, and after reconciliation, our flag can fly everywhere."
The embassy's Facebook post highlighted the contrasting positions of the free world and China's authoritarian regime toward Taiwan.
While the free world celebrated Taiwan's conducted democratic elections, China was undermining Taiwan's democracy and freedom diplomatically, attempting to frustrate and discourage the Taiwanese, the post wrote.
The embassy indicated that Monday's severance of ties between Taiwan and Nauru reflected the exceptional life of Shih Ming-te, marking Taiwan's persistence in democratic transformation and relentless progress despite challenges. It made people contemplate Shih's shared legacy left to the democratic world.