President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday called on like-minded nations to stand together and take action against anti-democratic forces that have put democracy at the risk of regression, while vowing that Taiwan would never move backward.
“Historical trends do not always favor the forward march of democracy, but in Taiwan, moving backward is not an option,” Tsai said at a Taipei forum titled “Global Solidarity of Democracy in Taiwan” hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
The forum, attended by guests from pro-democracy organizations in countries including Tunisia, India, Japan, South Korea and the US, was held to mark the 15th anniversary of the government-funded foundation.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Tsai said the gathering of so many long-time democracy advocates is not just a celebration, but also a timely opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of democracy.
“In the 21st century, democracy is in retreat,” said Tsai, citing a report by Freedom that said this year marks the 12th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.
Tsai cited another report by the National Endowment for Democracy, funded largely by the US Congress, which examines how China and Russia use “sharp power” to project their influence.
The report says that “authoritarian regimes are exercising sharp power to take advantage of our free and open societies, promote alternative agendas, control and censor information, and undermine our democracies,” Tsai said.
Taiwan is on the frontline of a battle that is taking place here, in Australia, the US, Europe and in like-minded countries all over the world, she said.
“Over the past two years, we have faced increasing pressure from China as they threaten our democratic way of life and limit our international space,” she said.
These anti-democratic forces will proliferate if like-minded countries do not stand and act together, she said.
“It is only if like-minded countries work together — and stand together — that we can fight against unwanted economic, political or military coercion, and defend the values we hold dear,” she added.
Tsai made similar remarks in an interview with Agence France-Presse yesterday.
In the interview, she called on the international community to “constrain” China by standing up for freedoms, and urged other nations to unite with Taiwan in defending against Beijing’s expansionist aims and to protect shared liberal values.
“This is not just Taiwan’s challenge, it is a challenge for the region and the world as a whole, because today it’s Taiwan, but tomorrow it may be any other country that will have to face the expansion of China’s influence,” Tsai said. “Their democracy, freedom and freedom to do business will one day be affected by China.”
“We need to work together to reaffirm our values of democracy and freedom in order to constrain China and also minimize the expansion of their hegemonic influence,” she added.
She added that Taiwan had seen growing support from the US.
The warming relationship comes as Taiwan tries to boost its homegrown defense force.
“In the face of China’s threats we feel the need for us to improve self-defense capabilities,” she said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS