“I admire his commitment to democracy," said 85-year old Buddhist leader via pre-recorded video
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/09/19
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Reporter
Memorial for former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui on Saturday in New Taipei City. (CNA photo)
In the auditorium of a Christian university full of solemnity, approximately 800 top government officials, foreign envoys, party leaders, and other prominent figures paid their tribute to the late president. Among them were the U.S. delegation led by Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Keith Krach, as well as a Japanese delegation led by former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.
The ceremony began shortly after Lee’s family members, carrying Lee’s image and urn, arrived at the auditorium. President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) conferred a posthumous presidential citation on Lee, who died on July 30 at the age of 97, in recognition of the late president’s contributions to the country.
President Tsai Ing-wen confers a posthumous presidential citation on Lee Teng-hui. (CNA photo)
“As we pay our last respects and honor his lifelong contributions and devotion to our nation, we must not forget that Taiwan’s future is now in our hands,” remarked Tsai after making three bows in front of Lee’s image. “His spirit will guide the nation and the people of Taiwan as we continue along the path of democracy, freedom, diversity and openness,” she said, reading out the late president’s achievements as a public servant for nearly five decades. [FULL STORY]
