Taiwan always stands with Europe in facing global challenges as partners sharing the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said in Brussels yesterday as she wrapped up her visit in Europe.
In a post on Facebook, Tsai said she deeply felt Europe’s support for Taiwan after meeting with more than 80 members of the European Parliament, Belgian Federal Parliament and Dutch Parliament, adding that she had expressed to them the gratitude of Taiwanese.
“Taiwan and Europe enjoy the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, and we are also good partners in facing global challenges together,” she wrote in a post that included a video with short clips of her visit in Brussels, the last stop of her European trip.
Photo: Screen grab from Tsai Ing-wen’s X account
“From facing the global [COVID-19] pandemic to the expansion of authoritarian rule, Taiwan and Europe always stand together,” she said. “Taiwan also proves that a society rooted in freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity can still flourish, even in the face of enormous challenges and coercion from authoritarianism.”
While more obstacles lie ahead, seeing so many European friends show solidarity and support for Taiwan gives the nation more confidence and courage to face the world’s next challenges, Tsai said.
“I thank all our friends in Europe for their support for people in Taiwan, which allows Taiwanese to not only hold their heads up and stride forward in Europe, but also dedicate themselves on the world stage,” she said.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In a separate post, Tsai wrote that Taiwan is an important and reliable partner in global supply chains and enhancing international economic security.
“I hope our friends in Europe will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations,” she added. “When China attempts to change the status quo of the Taiwan Strait through maritime action and intruding into our airspace, I also hope the global democratic society can come together to deter this type of activity that endangers regional peace and stability.”
Tsai set off for Europe on Sunday last week, her first trip abroad since leaving office as president in May. She is scheduled to return to Taiwan today.
Separately, an unveiling ceremony of the Advanced Chip Design and Research Center was held in Brno, Czech Republic, on Friday.
The center is a collaboration between the National Applied Research Laboratories and the Czech Republic’s CyberSecurityHubCZ, a cybersecurity organization founded by Masaryk University, Brno University of Technology and Czech Technical University in 2020.
In a prerecorded video played at the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) expressed gratitude for the Czech government’s full support to Taiwan-Czech cooperation, as well as for Czech friends’ hospitality and careful arrangements during Tsai’s visit to the country a few days earlier.
Lin also said that Taiwan, the Czech Republic and other democratic countries should work together to strengthen economic security and democratic resilience in response to global challenges from geopolitical changes, environmental issues, and shifts in economic security and industrial development.
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