A small group of Taiwanese expatriates took to the streets of London to protest in defence of their homeland’s democracy. Rallying under the banner “No Discussion, Not Democracy,” the overseas activists held demonstrations on May 26th and June 2nd in Central London. These events, part of the “BlueBird Movement,” highlight an international effort by Taiwanese citizens to express their concerns over the increasing Chinese influence on Taiwan’s political landscape.
Protests in Taiwan and Abroad
In Taiwan, significant protests erupted outside the legislature on May 28th, targeting proposed legislative changes perceived as favoring China. The parliamentary reform bills, proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), were criticized for undermining Taiwan’s democratic integrity. Protesters argued that these bills would enable government officials to abuse power and increase legislative budgets without proper oversight.
One particularly contentious bill, the Contempt Of Parliament, aimed at restructuring the national legislative committees, has raised alarms about potential media censorship and restrictions on the free press. Critics believe the bill could criminalize officials who refuse to cooperate, duplicating the work of the Control Yuan, the government agency tasked with investigating and auditing the government.
Academic Insights and Political Reactions
Jiaying Zhuang, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, commented on the situation to BBC China, stating:
“In a democratic system, there is a degree of fusion between the executive and the legislature to check on each other. The question is whether the opposition parties are able and willing to play the role of loyal opposition, or whether they will execute their power to control the operation of the government.”
The controversy revolves around accusations of “black box operations,” a lack of discussion, and a loss of procedural legitimacy. Critics claim that the majority in parliament is abusing power under the guise of parliamentary reform. From the opposition’s perspective, Ker Chien-ming, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), emphasized Beijing’s influence over Taiwan: “You can seize parliament, but you cannot seize public opinion,” he wrote in Al Jazeera.
International Solidarity
Hsuan-Yi Li, the lead organizer of the London protests, underscored the importance of international solidarity in defending Taiwan’s democracy. “We are asking overseas Taiwanese to take action to defend the democracy of Taiwan,” Li stated. Demonstrators in London carried banners and chanted slogans to highlight their commitment to preserving Taiwan’s democratic values.
These demonstrations are significant as they underscore the global Taiwanese community’s dedication to advocating for political accountability and transparency in Taiwan. The “BlueBird Movement” reflects widespread concerns about the erosion of democratic principles in Taiwan under external pressure from China.
The Road Ahead
The Taiwanese government’s response to these domestic and international protests will be crucial as the situation develops. Events in London highlight the ongoing struggle for democratic integrity in Taiwan and the active role of the Taiwanese diaspora in supporting political reform and safeguarding democratic values in their home country.
“We hope that the international community realizes that China and its representatives in Taiwan are doing everything possible to undermine Taiwan’s constitutional democracy,” said Li. She added, “This march is conveying the message to the international community that we Taiwanese will continue to defend democracy and freedom and demand China to stop suppressing Taiwan.”
As the global Taiwanese community continues to rally for democracy, the world watches closely, aware of the broader implications for regional stability and the future of democratic governance in Taiwan.
