Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Saturday departed for Europe on her first overseas trip since concluding her second term in May. In Prague she delivered a speech at the Forum 2000 Conference. Czech President Petr Pavel greeted Tsai on her arrival at the conference, showcasing the level of trust between them.
Speaking at the annual conference, titled “Proving Democracy’s Resolve and Resilience,” Tsai underlined two main concepts informing her presidency — deepening ties with like-minded countries and safeguarding democracy as the cornerstone of the Taiwanese identity-building process.
She underscored the unbreakable bond between the democratic system and the very nature of Taiwan as a country.
“The people of Taiwan have demonstrated time and again that democracy is a non-negotiable part of who we are. It is part of our unwavering identity ... it is the commitment we made as Taiwanese,” Tsai said.
On further strengthening bilateral ties with like-minded countries, Tsai walked the talk with her visit to Brussels. She also intended to travel to the UK, where she was to be hosted by the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group. That visit was postponed after the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office asked that it be deferred as it could anger Beijing ahead of British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy’s trip to China.
As the new Labour government is cooperating with Beijing on topics such as climate change, trade, economy and education, hosting one of the most influential Taiwanese politicians was not seen as taking precedence over the need to exploit the various areas of collaboration with China.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Cabinet aspires to be a progressive government, and should act in accordance to its values by taking the necessary steps toward a closer, albeit predominantly informal, relationship with Taiwan. A good starting point would be listening to Tsai’s arguments concerning the nation’s identity-building process.
Her role as Taiwan’s brand ambassador could bring it closer to like-minded countries by working on the main points they have in common, especially those that have experienced decades of authoritarianism. It is no coincidence that Lithuania, the first republic to break away from the Soviet Union in 1990, is one of Taiwan’s major allies in Europe.
Tsai’s credibility is built on a lifelong reputation of being a principled freedom and democracy lover, who worked her entire life to make Taiwan a free, prosperous and advanced country. Her political career is rooted in a willingness to mark a significant shift when it comes to Taiwan’s relationship with China.
Tsai in 1999 was appointed one of the chief drafters of the special state-to-state relations doctrine under then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝). It is the basis on which the country developed a new strategy toward China by assuming that the “one China, one Taiwan” concept was an ironclad fact. Under this strategy, the formal reality came to coincide with the substantial one, underscoring Taipei’s commitment to a friendly relationship with Beijing depending on mutual recognition.
Tsai, in accordance with her longstanding perspective regarding the matter, has devoted her political career to bringing awareness of Taiwan as a sovereign and independent country that is willing to contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Even if Beijing is unwilling to acknowledge reality, Taipei is committed to pursuing its political agenda whatever the challenges it faces. Tsai could be the ideal person to spread and promote Taiwan’s vision to the world.
Michele Maresca is an analyst at the online international law journal Il Caffe Geopolitico.
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