Yahoo News
Date: August 1, 2020
By: Associated Press•
Taiwan Obit Lee Teng-hui
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen pays her respects at a memorial for former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. Lee, who brought direct elections and other democratic changes to the self-governed island despite missile launches and other fierce saber-rattling by China, died on Thursday at age 97. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)
A traditional funeral bier was set up at the Taipei Guest House, an ornate European-style building that was home to Japanese governors during Taiwan's 1895-1945 colonial period.
Among the visitors Saturday was current President Tsai Ing-wen, who wrote in a book of condolences, "You shall forever be watching over democratic Taiwan.”
Lee strove to create a separate, democratic identity for Taiwan, angering not only China, which considers the island part of its territory, but also members of his Nationalist Party who hoped to return victorious to the mainland. [FULL STORY]
