President Tsai Ing-wen called on democracies worldwide to band together in defending shared values from authoritarian expansionism during a special address delivered May 10 at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.
 
It is the responsibility of like-minded partners to strengthen the global alliance to safeguard freedom, rule of law, human rights and space for dissent, Tsai said. The government is fully aware of threats to regional security, and is enhancing the country’s defense capabilities while working with global partners to promote peace, stability and prosperity, she added.
 
Organized by Denmark-headquartered Alliance of Democracies, a nonprofit founded by the country’s former Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the fourth edition of the annual event was staged virtually due to COVID-19.
 
Other high-profile participants included Slovakia President Zuzana Caputova, Demark Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna and European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova.
 
According to Tsai, authoritarian actors are taking advantage of the pandemic in trying to alter the rules-based global order. It is important democratic countries collaborate to secure supply chains and protect the global economic order, she said.
 
As part of efforts to achieve this goal, Taiwan will continue engaging with the EU and other partners in establishing more resilient supplies of critical goods like medical items and semiconductors, Tsai said, adding that such reciprocal and transparent cooperation is the cornerstone of mutual prosperity.
 
Although the government’s response to coronavirus demonstrates Taiwan Can Help manage the global health crisis, the country continues being denied the opportunity to share relevant experience in the World Health Assembly and other international organizations, Tsai said. It is imperative to Let Taiwan Help, she added.
 
Tsai also took the opportunity to urge the EU to restart negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan. A BIA will help secure key supply chains while protecting overlapping economic and geopolitical interests, she added.
 
In conclusion, Tsai said the people of Taiwan will never surrender their hard-earned freedoms. By standing united, the democracies of the world can be a greater global force for good and lead all humankind toward a better future, she added. (SFC-E)
 
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