Mad Minerva posts a little bit of Asia democracy news regarding the creation of a 26 member Democratic Pacific Union. Taiwan’s President Chen said that the DPU should be used to bring the last 15 and the 39 Pacific rim countries into its democratic arc. Especially China.

President Chen Shui-bian (????????????????????) yesterday called upon the political leaders of 26 Pacific Rim nations to help bring democracy to China — something he sees as a key mission of the newly-founded Democratic Pacific Union (DPU).

Chen made the remarks while addressing the inaugural meeting of the DPU, a non-governmental organization with representatives of 26 nations around the Pacific Rim that is dedicated to promoting the value of democracy worldwide. Taiwan took the lead in forming the union.

The DPU, which is based on the principles of “democracy, peace and prosperity,” was formally established yesterday in Taipei. Seventy-one guests attended a two-day forum to exchange opinions regarding the principles.

The guests included the presidents of Costa Rica and Guatemala, as well as other high ranking government officials, professionals, academics and representatives of major NGOs.

While saying that the establishment of the DPU provides a new impetus for the realization of a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Pacific century, Chen said that it is regrettable that China remains a missing part of the DPU.

Mad Minerva notes that Vice President Annette Lu is known to spout off and say things that are out there, but this time she seems to have hit the nail right on the head. Read her post for more on her, but here’s one thing that she said that stood out to me with regards to China.

Asked by a reporter how Beijing was responding to the DPU’s formation, Lu said the new organization did not exclude the PRC or any other state.

Lu said that China was welcome to join the DPU as soon as its leaders were elected by the people or could apply to become an observer in the meantime.

That’s exactly right. China’s economic growth needs to be weighed against its legal and political reform toward democracy. Until the country has a government that is accountable to its people, China’s expanding sphere of influence should be a concern for all free countries.