The government is absolutely committed to defending Taiwan’s hard-won freedom and democracy in the face of China’s ongoing campaign of coercion, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
 
Beijing’s authoritarian expansion is threatening democracies around the world, Wu said. It is also spearheading disinformation campaigns to sow chaos and distrust in free and open societies, he added.
 
Wu made the remarks during his virtual Sedona Forum interview April 30 with David Kramer, senior director for human rights and human freedom at U.S.-headquartered think tank McCain Institute.
 
Themed Defending Democracy: Global Voice from the Front Lines, the institute-organized annual forum featured over 120 top experts and policymakers such as Madeline Albright and Henry Kissinger, former U.S. secretaries of state; Mark Esper and Gen. James Mattis, former U.S. secretaries of defense; and Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
 
Wu said Taiwan is an internationally celebrated beacon of freedom and human rights in the Indo-Pacific. This accomplishment, along with the country’s thriving democracy, contrasts sharply with China’s oppressive communist regime, he added.
 
The people will staunchly defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and democratic way of life, Wu said, adding that the more the country’s democracy flourishes, the more insecure Beijing becomes.
 
Wu also took the opportunity to urge like-minded countries and partners to stand with Taiwan. Democracy can only prevail if all responsible members of the international community stand as one in resisting authoritarianism, aggression and intimidation, he added.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “Why is it important to #DefendDemocracy in Taiwan? Minister Wu answers the question & then some in his enlightening #SedonaForum21 interview with David Kramer of the @McCainInstitute. Make no mistake! #Taiwan is an #IslandofResilience.” (SFC-E)

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