On the 37th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Incident, 'Invisible Nation' Screened in Washington, US Lawmakers Show Support for Taiwan

(Central News Agency, Washington, D.C., June 5th) On the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, a screening of the documentary 'Invisible Nation' was held at the US Capitol Visitor Center on the evening of the 5th, with former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Ted Lieu among those showing support for Taiwan. Director Vanessa Hope called Taiwan a "global beacon of democracy."

On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist military violently suppressed pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. On the 37th anniversary, several US lawmakers condemned the CPC's actions. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and the committee's top Democrat Jeanne Shaheen issued a statement saying that in the years since the "Tiananmen Square massacre," China has continued to suppress dissidents both domestically and abroad. They stated that "the United States must continue to hold China accountable for the horrific atrocities of that day," as well as its ongoing violations of internationally recognized human rights, including transnational repression within the United States.

Notably, a screening of the documentary 'Invisible Nation' took place at the Capitol Visitor Center that evening, co-hosted by production company Double Hope Films, non-profit organization Hello Taiwan, and Representatives Ted Lieu and Andrew Garbarino.

Lieu, who was born in Taiwan and moved to the US at age 3 and a half, told CNA that he had seen the documentary and called it "an excellent work" that helps people understand the challenges Taiwan faces and also introduces former President Tsai Ing-wen.

Director Vanessa Hope said that the Tiananmen Square incident showed how much the Chinese people desire freedom. "Rights like freedom of speech are universal goals, and the Chinese people deserve them just as much," she said.

Hope added that the people of Taiwan have worked hard to achieve their democracy. "Taiwan is an admirable democracy, a beacon of democracy not just in Asia but for the whole world." She noted Taiwan's strong gender balance in government and leadership, which she said is an inspiration to the Chinese people.

Hello Taiwan executive director Jiang Mingxin stated that the Tiananmen Square incident was a huge blow to China's democracy movement. He said the screening on the anniversary aimed to show "the stark contrast between Taiwan and China." Jiang said Taiwan enjoys a democratic system and strives to maintain the status quo, whereas in China, the people have no power, and many young people have never even heard of the Tiananmen Square incident or its brutal history.

'Invisible Nation' centers on Taiwan's first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, documenting Taiwan's transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, gender equality, legalization of same-sex marriage, and the pursuit of Taiwanese identity.