wfn.org | Christians of All Ages Are Talking Politics in Taiwan

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Taiwan Church News 2713, 23 through 29 February 2004
Reported by Lee Hsin-ren.  Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

Taiwan's upcoming presidential election and peace referendum were high on the
agenda when the Taipei Presbyterian Campus Fellowship invited Lim
Chong-cheng,
Associate General Secretary of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church
in Taiwan, to a forum held on February 19th. Ms Shyu Ruey-ting, a teacher and
member of Wen-shan Presbyterian Church and Mr. Pan Sheng-wei rounded out the
"old, middle and young" three-generation panel.  They addressed participants
on the history of political concern and their personal visions and hopes for
Taiwan's political future.
Mr. Pan, a graduate student at Tong Wu University and longtime participant in
the movement to promote use of Taiwan's true name, said, "Politics is life."
He spoke from his personal experience of seven years political participation
and concern during his time at college.
Ms Shyu, an observer of student political activism, compared politics to
invisible hands pushing us into the future.  Concern for public affairs
requires an investment of time and effort at reflection. She looks forward to
the coming of the justice and peace of the Kingdom of God.
Rev. Lim strongly asserted that since the turnover of political power from
one
party to another after presidential elections four years ago Taiwan has taken
a giant step in the direction of sovereignty and independence.	The nation
has
also advanced its participation in international society. He called these the
main points for consideration in the upcoming election and referendum.
At the close of the meeting, the participants joined in a line, holding
hands.
This was to encourage participation in the upcoming "Hands Along Taiwan"
activity planned for February 28th.  They called on the people of Taiwan to
love peace and speak out for it.

For More Information: Lim Chong-cheng  leonard@mail.pct.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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