U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) Chair of the House human rights subcommittee, Co-chair of Congressional-Executive China Commission, Sr. Member of Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos Human Rights Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 2014

Contact: Jeff Sagnip (202) 225-3765 http://chrissmith.house.gov

Smith on Student Protests: Taiwan Burns as a Beacon of Freedom WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and chair of its subcommittee on global human rights, and co-chair of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), urged all parties in the Republic of China (Taiwan) to work for a peaceful solution toward problems facing that country. “The people of Taiwan can be proud of democratic freedoms that have flourished in Taiwan these past decades, but they must remain vigilant in safeguarding them,” said Cong. Chris Smith, Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Democracy, the rule of law, and human rights are sources of Taiwan’s prosperity, openness, and vitality,” Smith said. “I urge all parties in Taiwan to work peacefully toward a political resolution of the issues raised by the recent student protests, and to continue to serve as a beacon of freedom for people in mainland China.”

Click here to read Chairman Smith’s statement at a CECC April 8 hearing entitled, “Understanding China’s Crackdown on Rights Advocates: Personal Accounts and Perspectives.” ###