Lung Ying-tai

Taiwanese writer, politician

Lung Ying-tai (Chinese: 龍應台; born 13 February 1952 in Kaohsiung) is a celebrated essayist and cultural critic, with a total of 17 published titles to her credit in Chinese. She was the Cultural Minister of Taipei in 1999. During her 4-year term as cultural architect of the city she has designed as well as practiced a new concept of cultural policy. Lung's poignant and critical essays contributed to the democratization of Taiwan and as the only Taiwanese writer with a column in major Chinese newspapers, she is considered one of the most influential writers in Mainland China as well.

Democracy is knowing that we don't have to pledge loyalty to any political party, don't have to please anyone.

Quotes

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  • 錦濤先生,作爲一個臺灣人,我實在不在乎團團和圓圓來不來臺北,雖然熊貓可愛得令人融化。
    • (Source:請用文明來說服我──給胡錦濤先生的公開信)
    • Mr. Hu Jintao, being a Taiwanese, I don't really care much about the Pandas coming to Taipei or not, even though these cute things melt our heart.(Source:請用文明來說服我──給胡錦濤先生的公開信)
  • 民主是什麼?民主就是發表了任何意見不怕有人秋後算賬;民主就是權利被侵犯的時候可以理直氣壯地討回,不管你是什麼階級什麼身份;民主就是不必效忠任何黨,不必討好任何人...
    • (Source:請用文明來說服我──給胡錦濤先生的公開信)
    • Translation:What is democracy? Democracy is to be able to publicize any opinions without fear, knowing that there aren't going to be any persecution at a later time; Democracy is for anyone, from whatever social class, to be able to maintain one's rights if there was violation; Democracy is knowing that we don't have to pledge loyalty to any political party, don't have to please anyone.
  • If one day I have a stroke, then that will tell me that being ROC Culture Minister is not worth it for me. As long as I am still in this position, I will definitely do my best until one day when I decide that it is not worth it anymore.

References

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