wfn.org | Taiwanese Presbyterians Join "No to China" Rally

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

9-July-1997 
97264 
 
    Taiwanese Presbyterians Join "No to China" Rally 
 
    by David Alexander 
    Ecumenical News International 
 
TAIPEI--Members of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) were among the 
leaders of  a rally of more than 30,000 people in the Taiwanese capital, 
Taipei, on June 28 calling on the international community  to say "No to 
China."  As Hong Kong was about to be politically reunited with the Chinese 
mainland, many citizens of Taiwan wanted to let the world know that they 
thought the same pattern should not be imposed on their island. 
 
          A consortium of more than 50 political, social, professional and 
religious groups was represented on the organizing committee for the rally. 
 
          A 1,000-voice choir of Taiwanese Christians performed an anthem 
expressing love for the "free country" of Taiwan. The rally's theme was 
expressed in English so that the world would understand: "Taiwan! Formosa! 
Say no to China." 
 
          The Rev. Kao Chun-ming, a former general secretary of the PCT and 
former political prisoner, said from the podium that the aims of the rally 
included seeking peaceful ways to settle differences between Taiwan and 
China, two separate and self-determining nations on opposite sides of the 
Taiwan Strait. 
 
          He was among many speakers from social and political 
organizations who spoke of respect for China as a self-determining nation 
but who oppose any action by China to determine the future of the people of 
Taiwan. 
 
          Speaker after speaker drew attention to the political differences 
between Hong Kong and Taiwan, insisting that talk of "one country, two 
systems" -- Beijing's formula for the future management of Hong  Kong -- is 
not applicable to Taiwan. 
 
          "One China, One Taiwan" was a refrain throughout the rally, which 
crossed Taiwan's ethnic and language divisions. Chinese and indigenous 
languages were spoken during the gathering, and for the benefit of foreign 
journalists English was also used. Ethnic and language problems have 
divided Taiwan's people for 50 years, but in the face of a possible threat 
from China, there are new efforts to overcome such divisions. 
 
          Three hours before the mass meeting began,  thousands of members 
of the PCT met a few blocks from the rally site to pray for the future of 
their country.  The Rev. William Lo, associate general secretary of the 
PCT, told them: "Self-determination is a gift and responsibility given to 
people by God. We must be good stewards of what God has given us. 
 
          "We hope that our participation in the rally later this evening, 
and all that we do, can come from a strong foundation of faith and prayer. 
Church members have responsibilities both as Christians and as citizens. 
This prayer meeting and the rally afterwards give an opportunity for us to 
witness in both areas to the people of Taiwan and to the world." 
 
          The prayer meeting began in the rain.  Leaders, perched on top of 
a bus, declined shelter and called to those who had retreated into the 
portico of the city hall to come out and demonstrate that wind and rain 
"would not deter the spirit of Christians" gathered to pray for their 
homeland. 
 
           The congregation sang hymns, shared in litanies, read the 
scriptures and were led in prayer by representatives of youth groups, 
women's organizations and Taiwan's ethnic communities. 
 
           Prayers were said for the spreading of the message of the Gospel 
among all Taiwan's people, for spiritual renewal and repentance,  for 
Taiwan's future as an independent nation,  for its  entry into the United 
Nations, for the security and freedom of the people of Hong Kong and for 
"peaceful respect" between Taiwan and China. 
 
          The prayer meeting was, officially at least, exclusively 
Presbyterian.  Lo attributed this to the understanding of the "prophetic 
role of the church"  held by Presbyterians, a view which he said was not 
shared by other church bodies on Taiwan. 
 
          The PCT, with about 200,000 members, is the biggest Protestant 
church in Taiwan, whose total population is about 21 million.  The PCT has 
a long history of speaking out on human rights and on Taiwanese 
independence.  In previous decades some of the church's leaders and other 
members have been imprisoned for their views. 
 
          Lo has been elected to succeed the Rev. C.S. Yang as general 
secretary of the PCT.  Lo will take office after the church's 45th General 
Assembly in 1998.  Lo, who comes from Taiwan's Hakka minority, has been a 
pastor for 26 years and has occupied key positions in the church. He is 
known for his commitment to ecumenism and  to "Taiwan and all the people of 
Taiwan," according to Yang. 

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