Summit proof of support
The importance of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit being held in Taipei this year is clearer than ever. It enhances Taiwan’s international visibility at a time when the nation faces increasing military threats from across the Taiwan Strait, and demonstrates the determination of democracies to counter challenges from Beijing.
It is regrettable that China again tried to interfere in the summit. Several lawmakers received e-mails or calls from Chinese diplomats who tried to deter them from coming to Taiwan to attend the summit, but these under-handed measures bolstered democratic countries’ support for Taiwan.
“I am a Taiwanese, too,” said Romanian lawmaker Catalin Tenita, who spoke out on social media in Taiwanese Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese), Chinese and English, calling China and Russia “thugs.”
Taiwan has transitioned to a modern, prosperous, free and open democracy, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) told the IPAC delegation.
Although the transition process was arduous, it is Taiwan’s most precious asset and a powerful shield against China’s threats. Taiwan’s democratization has proved that freedom and democracy ultimately defeat totalitarian oppression.
This year’s summit offered an important opportunity to deepen relations between Taiwan and its allies, and for the latter to express their support, Czech lawmaker and IPAC cochair Eva Decroix said.
She called on the international community to join hands when facing pressure and threats from China and Russia.
The political exchanges and economic cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic benefit both sides, she said.
Taiwan and other like-minded democracies must unite against increased threats from China. The IPAC summit embodies support from the international community. With the concerted efforts of other democracies, Taiwan’s freedom and democracy can be guaranteed, while also contributing to regional peace and stability.
Tao Mei-kuei
Taipei
To The Honorable Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜): We would like to extend our sincerest regards to you for representing Taiwan at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday. The Taiwanese-American community was delighted to see that Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan speaker not only received an invitation to attend the event, but successfully made the trip to the US. We sincerely hope that you took this rare opportunity to share Taiwan’s achievements in freedom, democracy and economic development with delegations from other countries. In recent years, Taiwan’s economic growth and world-leading technology industry have been a source of pride for Taiwanese-Americans.
Next week, the nation is to celebrate the Lunar New Year break. Unfortunately, cold winds are a-blowing, literally and figuratively. The Central Weather Administration has warned of an approaching cold air mass, while obstinate winds of chaos eddy around the Legislative Yuan. English theologian Thomas Fuller optimistically pointed out in 1650 that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” We could paraphrase by saying the coldest days are just before the renewed hope of spring. However, one must temper any optimism about the damage being done in the legislature by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), under
To our readers: Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, from Sunday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 2, the Taipei Times will have a reduced format without our regular editorials and opinion pieces. From Tuesday to Saturday the paper will not be delivered to subscribers, but will be available for purchase at convenience stores. Subscribers will receive the editions they missed once normal distribution resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2. The paper returns to its usual format on Monday, Feb. 3, when our regular editorials and opinion pieces will also be resumed.
This year would mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the India Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi. From the vision of “Look East” in the 1990s, India’s policy has evolved into a resolute “Act East,” which complements Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy.” In these three decades, India and Taiwan have forged a rare partnership — one rooted in shared democratic values, a commitment to openness and pluralism, and clear complementarities in trade and technology. The government of India has rolled out the red carpet for Taiwanese investors with attractive financial incentives
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