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Taiwan president vows to engage with world despite Beijing's threats

ROC Central News Agency

09/03/2022 12:25 PM

Berlin, Sept. 2 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) pledged on Friday Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world to counter "a resurgence of authoritarianism," despite Beijing's threats, in her video speech delivered at an international forum.

"I want to emphasize that neither threats nor coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world," Tsai said via video at the closing of the 26th Forum 2000 Conference, an annual event held in a hybrid format in Prague from Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

"Taiwan and its people stand ready to step up cooperation with democracies in areas where we can be helpful," said the president, who has been invited to address the forum since 2020.

Tsai began with thanking the Forum 2000 Foundation Executive Director Jakub Klepal and his colleagues at the organization for their staunch support for Taiwan's democracy.

Last month when Beijing announced "punitive measures" against the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, a government-affiliated organization, the Forum 2000 Foundation was the first to condemn China for intensifying attacks on human rights and freedoms in Taiwan, according to Tsai.

Tsai also expressed her appreciation to the Foundation for moving up the date of this year's conference from October due to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

"As the Ukrainian people bravely defend their country, democracy advocates worldwide know that time is of the essence," Tsai said.

"There is a dire need for democrats to come together to counter the resurgence of authoritarianism, and to make democracies more resilient in this increasingly challenging environment," she added.

Citing a number of examples of democratic countries giving support to Taiwan over the years, by speaking out for its international participation or visiting and working with Taiwan, Tsai said these actions "deeply moved the Taiwanese people."

She expressed gratitude to friends of Taiwan from across Europe, particularly Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland, for coming to its aid during a critical time.

"The people of Taiwan will never forget your kindness and will return this generosity in due time," she said.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) gave a speech at a panel discussion at the conference about Taiwan's defense after the invasion of Ukraine.

Wu said Taiwan will continue to develop asymmetric warfare to strengthen its defense capability, according to a news release issued by the ministry on Friday.

A lesson the world has learned from Russia's invasion of Ukraine was that a country would not be able to deter an attack from an authoritarian regime if it does not have sufficient military power, Wu said, according to the news release.

(By Lin Yu-li, Novia Huang and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

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