Taiwan can play a leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region, vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) told a forum in Taipei yesterday, highlighting the nation’s resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges.
“Not only can Taiwan help, but Taiwan can lead ... not only can Taiwan play a leadership role, but Taiwan’s leadership is important to the world,” Hsiao told the annual forum hosted by the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation think tank.
Hsiao thanked Taiwan’s international friends for their long-term support, citing the example of US President Joe Biden last month signing into law a bill to provide aid to Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The nation’s own efforts in strengthening itself are also of great importance, Hsiao said.
“We must have the confidence that Taiwan is worthy of galvanizing international support,” she said.
Taiwan has demonstrated its economic, social, democratic and defense resilience in the face of natural disasters, limited natural resources, the martial law era, diplomatic isolation, cyberattacks, disinformation, political interference and near-daily military incursions, she said.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
“Against all these odds and long overshadowed by our larger neighbors, Taiwan’s remarkable story of perseverance and determination has propelled it onto the world stage,” she said.
Taiwan has been a model in the Asia-Pacific region with its democratic transition, regularly held free and fair elections, and an open society that has become home to a growing number of international non-governmental organizations, think tanks and media organizations, Hsiao said.
The progress the nation made in universal healthcare accessibility, gender equality and LGBTQ rights are also inspiring neighboring nations, she added.
Through humanitarian assistance and charity programs, “Taiwan has managed to lead in our soft power as a force for good extending the influence of kindness and humanity across the region,” she said.
On the economic front, Taiwan boasts high-tech innovation and a thriving ecosystem largely driven by small and medium-sized enterprises, she said.
Hsiao said she and president-elect William Lai (賴清德) “are committed to leveraging these assets as we work to forge stronger partnerships with like-minded societies around the world.”
At the same forum, former Virginia governor James Gilmore expressed the US’ determination to cooperate with allies around the world in its leadership.
“America is stronger, our country is stronger ... when we work with other people,” Gilmore said.
The US has a stake in the Asia-Pacific region and has to consider the impacts of its actions on other nations, including Taiwan, said Gilmore, who was also former US president Donald Trump’s ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
“Taiwan is our friend, and we have a stake in the success and strength and friendship of Taiwan,” he said.
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