Vice President William Lai (賴清德) on Sunday pledged to safeguard democracy and freedom in Taiwan and never back down from authoritarian intimidation.
Lai was speaking before a group of overseas Taiwanese during a stopover in New York on his way to attend the inauguration of Paraguayan president-elect Santiago Pena today.
“Only domestic unity can win international support,” Lai told more than 700 overseas Taiwanese at a banquet held at The Glasshouse private event space on Sunday.
Photo: CNA
He expressed his gratitude to the US for supporting Taiwan and helping arrange the stopover, despite pressure from China.
He also thanked the group of overseas Taiwanese, who he said had gathered because they share the same sentiment, values and goals, and identify with Taiwan.
Taiwan is becoming more important to the world, not only because it produces more than 90 percent of the world’s advanced chips, but also because of its success in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and international aid offered to Ukraine, he said.
The efforts embodied the spirit of Taiwanese — positive and forward-looking, warm and kind, and a responsible member of the global community, he said.
Taiwanese value freedom and democracy, and are determined to pass down this hard-earned free and open society to future generations, he said.
Democracy ties Taiwan to the world, Lai said, citing the US Congress proposing nearly 30 Taiwan-friendly bills or resolutions in the past six months and the passing of the first agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.
Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts have won the support of international society, with leading global figures visiting Taiwan to demonstrate their friendship with the country, he said.
Taiwan would never shrink back from authoritarian threats; instead, the nation would uphold the values of democracy and freedom, and join hands with democratic partners to safeguard stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.
He called on all political parties to put national interests ahead of party interests in the pursuit of democracy, peace and prosperity.
Taiwan is on the path of democracy and should not turn around out of fear of authoritarianism, he said.
He promised to protect and strengthen Taiwan, as well as facilitate the progress of the nation with innovative and progressive policies.
On cross-strait relations, he said that as long as dignity and equality are ensured, he would be happy to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China to facilitate peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Managing Director Ingrid Larson said that the US supports Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations, as Taiwanese deserve to be part of the international community, and the international community needs Taiwan’s critical support as it responds to global challenges.
AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger, who could not attend because she was at her sister’s wedding, said in a prerecorded video that she looked forward to meeting Lai in San Francisco on his way back from Paraguay.
Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the US’ and Taiwan’s interests, she said, adding that Washington remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
Later on Sunday, Lai met with young Taiwanese who hold important positions in key fields in the US, urging them to join his efforts in building a stronger Taiwan.
Lai hopes to learn from these young people about the newest developments and prospects in fields such as superconductors and quantum mechanics, biomedicine, higher education, law and politics, and the advice they have for Taiwan’s development, the Presidential Office said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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