The head of the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank yesterday expressed his admiration for Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and called on the government to continue expanding economic relationships with international partners as a means to defend itself.
“Economic security in this day and age is an irreplaceable part of broad-based security, military security and national defense,” Mark Green, who serves as president, director and chief executive of the Wilson Center, told a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
Green led a delegation comprising academics and experts from the center on a visit to Taiwan from Monday to yesterday.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The delegation planned “to listen, to learn, to exchange ideas, and to explore ways in which the US and Taiwan can continue to expand people-to-people ties,” he said.
Taiwan shares the values of freedom, democracy and economic growth with the US, and has a lot to offer the world culturally, economically and technologically, Green said.
That echoed remarks he made during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Thursday.
“What makes the Taiwan-US relationship unusual is not merely shared interests, but shared values,” he said.
The relationship between the US and Taiwan is not simply bilateral, but has the importance of contributing to the world and sharing technology with those in need, he said.
The world can be a better place the more Taiwan is engaged in international discussions, Green said, adding that “it’s also why the US continues to support Taiwan as a trusted friend.”
Having met with representatives of both the Democratic Progressive Party and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) during the visit, Green said that “we have come away impressed with the vibrancy of the debate that is taking place, and the fact that there is a strong dedication to free and fair elections.”
Such a democracy is the key to defending against authoritarian power, he said.
The resilience of Taiwanese as they continue to grow their businesses and conduct groundbreaking research and technology in the face of Chinese pressure “is something to be admired,” Green said.
“As the people of Taiwan go to the polls to vote, that is the best statement that they can make,” he said.
Although military defense is not the focus of the think tank nor the purpose of the visit, Green said that the US would continue to support Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, as well as stability in the Taiwan Strait because “it is good for the world.”
At a banquet in their honor held by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Wednesday, delegation members said that they had a better understanding of China’s undue influence in the world and the threat it poses to Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The delegation hoped to bolster cooperation between Taiwan and the US in a wider range of fields through research and academic activities, the ministry said.
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