National Security Council Senior Advisor Lee Yuh-jye (right) speaks with Brendan Dowling, ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, during The Sydney Dialogue Sept. 2. (MOFA)
 

A delegation from Taiwan led by National Security Council Senior Advisor Lee Yuh-jye attended the Sydney Dialogue Sept. 2 in the Australian city, underscoring Taiwan’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to reinforce democracy, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hosted by Australian Strategic Policy Institute, this year’s edition of the annual information security and emerging technology convention was attended by academic, government and industry representatives from 30 countries, including Japan, Lithuania, Singapore, the Philippines, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S., the MOFA said.

According to the ministry, discussions focused on the application and development of artificial intelligence, digital connectivity in the Indo-Pacific, and strategies to counter hybrid threats, among other topics.

During the conference, Lee conducted an in-depth talk with Brendan Dowling, ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the MOFA said, adding that the NSC advisor emphasized Taiwan’s efforts to enhance digital resilience and uphold democratic values in the face of disinformation.

Lee said Taiwan puts a premium on safeguarding human rights in the implementation of new technology, citing how personal privacy was preserved by the government’s social distance application used during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlighted the country’s vital role in global AI development as the home of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest chipmaker, as well as server producer Quanta Computer Inc. and other major corporations.

In response, Dowling affirmed Taiwan’s robust democracy and praised the government for prioritizing cybersecurity as a matter of national security amid constant geopolitical pressure. He concluded by extolling Taiwan as a perfect information security partner for Australia, the MOFA said. (POC-E)