The Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) resolution to defend freedom and democracy would be demonstrated to the world, KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia (夏立言) said yesterday prior to his departure on a trip to Europe.
Hsia is to depart tonight to attend the Copenhagen Democracy Summit and the IDU Forum in Brussels next week on behalf of KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), who is staying in Taiwan to address a mass recall campaign targeting lawmakers from the party.
His presence at the two international democracy conferences would not only show the world the KMT’s commitment to defend freedom and democracy, but would also stress its position as a responsible political party that continues to help promote the cross-strait relationship, stabilize the Indo-Pacific order and facilitate world peace, Hsia said.
Photo: Taipei Times
The trip was organized more than two months ago after the KMT received invitations, he said.
Aside from taking part in the summit and the forum, meetings with local political figures, overseas Taiwanese leaders, and academics and experts in Copenhagen, Brussels and London were also slated, Hsia said, adding that a forum would be held at the University of Cambridge’s King’s College to have a conversation with faculty and students.
The goal is to academically and practically communicate the voice of the KMT and the Republic of China (ROC) to elites from across the world to deepen Taiwan’s ties with Europe and the rest of the world, he said.
Given the volatile international situation, the ROC, the democratic beacon and fortress of freedom to all ethnic Chinese, must participate in the international community and contribute to it, Hsia said.
Being the largest opposition party, the KMT would seize the chance to convey its view, he said.
Asked whether he would help resolve concerns over Chu’s comments comparing President William Lai (賴清德) to Adolf Hitler and the governing party to the Nazi regime during the trip, Hsia said he would explain what Chu actually meant if anyone asks about the “democratic dictatorship” facing the ROC.
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