A Taiwanese scholar speaking at a seminar on US-Japan-Taiwan security said that the direct expression of ideas by Taiwan's people in a referendum plays a very important role in the process of the country's democratization.
Lai Yi-chung (賴怡忠), director of the Department of International Affairs' Taiwan Thinktank, made the remarks in the third round of the trilateral dialogue with the main topic focusing on the anti-terrorist strategies of Asian countries and other nations.
Lai noted in the trilateral meeting that Taiwan's democratic development can serve as an inspiration for other Pacific nations and for China.
With China's growing military threat against Taiwan, the security promise from the US to Taiwan would guarantee the continued democratic development in the country. Meanwhile, the expression of Taiwan people's thinking is of importance, Lai added.
Among the participants in the meeting were also China-hand from the US-based Heritage Foundation John Tkacik, member of Congress' US-China Security Review Commission June Dreyer, and scholars from Japanese Okazaki Institute.
A Japanese scholar from the Okazaki Institute noted that democracy and liberty in Taiwan are in the best interests of the US and Japan. He urged the Japanese government to strengthen high-level official visits to Taiwan, support Taiwan's bid to participate in the World Health Organization, as well as increase discussions with Taiwan on issues such as anti-submarine, anti-missile and anti-terrorist strategies.
The first round of the trilateral dialogue was inaugurated in Taipei in August last year, with the second round being held in Tokyo in March this year. The fourth round of the meeting will be held in Taipei early next year.
The conclusions of the seminar will be presented to the governments for their reference.
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