TAIPEI, Taiwan - Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a segment of the Cold War's tangible symbol has traveled to Taiwan, in recognition of Taiwan's achievements in democracy and human rights and proving that democracy can be without borders.

The 2.5 tons L-shaped stone monument was unveiled in the "Berlin Wall in Taiwan" ceremony, dedicated to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) at the foundation site in Taipei yesterday. Dignitaries flew in from Germany to celebrate the presentation of the piece and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with prominent leaders in Taiwan.

As dignitaries unveiled the historical piece, orchestral music accompanied by songs sung in Taiwanese language played in the background.

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and stood for nearly three decades, dividing Germany into West [democracy] and East [communist dictatorship]. With protests and peaceful revolution, civil-right activists brought down the wall and the communist regime, leading to the re-unification of Germany, and marking a new era of democracy on Nov. 9, 1989.

"The piece of the Berlin Wall is not merely an artifact, but a symbol of the values and spirits of democracy, freedom, and human rights that the people of Taiwan will forever cherish," said Wang Jin-Pyng, the speaker of the Legislative Yuan and the chairman of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.

Wang stated the fall of the Berlin Wall and two of Taiwan's peaceful power transitions are proof of the two countries' continuous goal to attain democracy, freedom, and human rights. With the wall piece implanting its root in Taiwan, it serves as a permanent symbol of Taiwan's pursuit in freedom and democracy.

Shen Lyu-hsun, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also emphasized the gift as a gesture from Germany to recognize Taiwan's democracy, "Mr. Schroter stressed that the gift of the Berlin Wall segment to good friends in Taiwan symbolized both the expectation for human rights work as well as Taiwan's pursuit of freedom and democracy."

In April of this year, the gift was given from the Oberhavel County Executive Karl-Heinz Schroter in Brandenburg State of Germany to Chen Chin-Huang, the founder for the Hsin Kang Foundation and the former chairman for the Memorial Foundation of 228. As the event's main organizer, the Memorial Foundation of 228 has a special resemblance to the Berlin Wall since the 228 Incident is also a watershed moment that marked the beginning of political terror. Chen then donated the wall segment to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy in Taiwan for its incessant efforts to achieve democracy.

The piece is being placed temporarily in the TFD's garden and will be formally displayed as a public monument in the foundation's future building projects. The unveiling ceremony was organized by the TFD, the Memorial Foundation of 228, and the German Institute in Taipei.