China Democratic Federation’s “Double Ten” Statement
Today is Double Ten Day, the anniversary of the Wuchang Uprising of the Revolution of 1911. On this day 110 years ago, the revolutionaries in the New Army fired the first shot of the Wuchang Uprising, overthrowing the rule of the corrupt Qing Dynasty, formally ending more than two thousand years of feudal imperial power, establishing the first republic in the East, and thus starting the Chinese nation’s path to constitutional democracy. Not only that, the Revolution of 1911 brought ideological liberation to the Chinese nation, made the concept of democracy and republic deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and made the Three People’s Principles the cornerstone of the Republic of China.
The “Double Ten” Festival is not only the National Day of the Republic of China, but also a grand festival for everyone who pursues freedom and democracy. On this day every year, we feel joy and pride. Today, we are here to commemorate the Revolution of 1911. First of all, it has epoch-making historical significance. Since the success of the Revolution of 1911, the Republic of China was born in this world. On the ancient eastern land, a new era has begun, both in terms of politics, economy and ideology and culture. Democracy and science have laid their foundation in the Chinese nation. It lays the political foundation for our great nation to stand in the civilized world.
Today, we commemorate the Revolution of 1911 not only for its historical significance, but also because it has practical significance for both sides of the Taiwan Strait. As we all know, after 1949, the Chinese Communist Party took power in mainland China with the support of the Soviet Union’s foreign power, and began a brutal and bloody totalitarian rule. After retreating to Taiwan, the Republic of China government learned from the pain and worked hard to not only make Taiwan take off economically, but also become a key and reliable member of the global economy, trade, technology and supply chain in the wave of globalization. More importantly, politically, from the liberalization of party bans and newspaper bans to the implementation of universal suffrage, it only took more than ten years to complete the peaceful transfer of political party power, and completely realize the peaceful transformation from authoritarianism to constitutional democracy. It has become a successful example of moving towards modern democratic constitutionalism in the third wave of democratization. Today, Taiwan, which represents the Republic of China, is the best interpretation of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People: of the people, of the people, and for the people. Therefore, today’s Taiwan is undoubtedly the inheritor of the spirit of the Revolution of 1911 and the inheritor of the achievements of the Revolution of 1911. Taiwan’s democracy is not only the pride of the Taiwanese people, but more importantly, it is a typical example of the perfect combination of traditional culture and modern democratic system, and a model for mainland China’s future democracy. Not only that, Taiwan’s democratic system has become an important part of the world’s democratic system.
However, in the face of the increasingly powerful and ambitious CCP regime, the free and peaceful social environment and constitutional democratic system enjoyed by the Taiwanese people are facing unprecedented threats. Today, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are by no means just a struggle for political power and sovereignty, but also a struggle between democracy and autocracy, freedom and slavery, civilization and brutality, peace and war. “Protecting Taiwan is protecting the modern democratic system! Protecting Taiwan is protecting the beacon of freedom standing in the East! This should undoubtedly become the consensus of today’s free world and all freedom-loving and peace-loving people around the world.
Because of this, we believe that Taiwan’s security can only be guaranteed with the help of the international community. Therefore, we believe that the Republic of China represented by Taiwan should be substantively recognized by the international community. First, ensure Taiwan’s living space in the international community, and then resolve cross-strait disputes within the international framework. We believe that “defending Taiwan is like defending West Berlin,” which is completely consistent with the founding spirit and diplomatic principles of democratic countries led by the United States.
Therefore, we hereby solemnly call on the U.S. government to invite the President of the Republic of China in Taiwan to attend the first Alliance of Democracies summit planned to be held in December, so as to give ROC Taiwan, known as the beacon of Asia and the light of the Chinese people, the international name and status it deserves. At the same time, we also hope that Taiwan will not only be a beacon of democracy, but also actively serve as a promoter of the democratic movement in Asia, especially China, and play its due and unique role in China’s democratic movement not only spiritually but also in practical operations.
Finally, we have to say that commemorating the Revolution of 1911 is also to clarify our aspirations. We remember the deeds of the martyrs and learn from the spirit of the lofty ideals of the Revolution of 1911, represented by Sun Yat-sen, for their ideals, awe-inspiring righteousness, fear of failure, tenacity, and sacrifice. For more than a hundred years, it is this spirit that has continuously inspired people fighting for freedom. As pro-democracy activists who have been committed to realizing freedom, democracy, rule of law, and human rights in mainland China for decades, we will rely on this spirit to continue to strive to achieve our goals.