Mainland China should move towards democracy, Taiwan's president says

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday issued a rare direct call to Beijing to introduce democracy, saying the prosperity on the mainland made it the right time for it to do so.

In an uncharacteristically bold speech at a Double Ten National Day rally in Taipei, Ma said growing mainland affluence meant the daily needs of its people were essentially taken care of and now was the best time for the mainland to move in a democratic direction.

"Today, we again urge those on the other side of the Taiwan Strait to take note that now is the most appropriate time for mainland China to move towards constitutional democracy. The Chinese mainland is experiencing rapid economic growth, and its people lead affluent lives," Ma said.

"Now that the 1.3 billion people on the mainland have become moderately wealthy, they will of course wish to enjoy greater democracy and rule of law. Such a desire has never been a monopoly of the West, but is the right of all humankind."

Ma's comments came two weeks after thousands of Hongkongers took to the streets to protest against Beijing's limits on candidates for the 2017 chief executive election.

Underscoring his support for the people of Hong Kong, Ma said democracy on the mainland and in Hong Kong could develop with the wisdom that the mainland leaders had showed on economic reform. He said Deng Xiaoping proposed 30 years ago that some people get rich first, paving the way for reform and opening up of the mainland.

"So why couldn't they do the same thing in Hong Kong, and let some people go democratic first?" Ma asked.