Messages of condolence from Taiwan’s allies and like-minded partners following the passing of Lee Teng-hui, the country’s first democratically elected president, are deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 2.
According to the MOFA, a total of 458 leaders, officials, lawmakers, academics and experts from 60 countries, territories and organizations offered their condolences July 30, the day of Lee’s passing, by means of letters, phone calls, official statements and social media posts.
Among the condolences was a statement from the U.S. White House press secretary calling Lee the architect of Taiwan’s modern democratic system, which it said serves as a shining example of citizen-centric governance for the region and the world. This was joined by a U.S. National Security Council tweet lauding Lee as a champion for freedom and the architect of Taiwan’s free and open society.
Echoing the sentiments, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Lee for his significant contributions toward building a strong relationship between the two sides.
Other high-profile leaders and organizations who expressed condolences include Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei, Haiti President Jovenel Moise, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado, Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez; Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini on behalf of King Mswati III, Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris, St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and the Dalai Lama, as well as representatives of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, Central American Integration System and Central American Parliament.
Political figures and members of media outlets and think tanks from other like-minded countries and organizations also sent their respects, including those from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Mongolia, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, South Africa, South Korea, the Philippines, the U.K. and the EU.
According to the MOFA, Lee devoted his life to shaping Taiwan into a beacon of democracy. The government will continue promoting the ideals of freedom and democracy espoused by Lee while working with allies and like-minded partners to safeguard international rules-based order, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
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