Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung called on like-minded partners to unite against authoritarianism and support Taiwan’s participation in global organizations.
Lin made the remarks during a sit-down with 11 journalists from 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe and North America last month in Taipei City. The minister brought them up to speed on issues ranging from new norms in cross-strait relations and growing authoritarian threats in the region to Taiwan’s global participation and the new administration’s integrated diplomacy approach.
According to the minister, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, an emerging alliance known as CRINK, are expanding collaboration and posing a threat to Taiwan and fellow democracies around the world. Given the interconnectedness of national economies, Taiwan’s values-based diplomacy can strengthen mutual support among like-minded partners, he added.
Lin asserted that China’s attempts to invade, blockade or isolate Taiwan will impact global navigation and that Beijing’s ambition extends beyond the first island chain.
Facing such challenges, Taiwan is leaving no stone unturned in strengthening its defense capabilities, as evidenced by the defense budget’s expansion to 2.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, the minister said, adding that this figure is higher than that of most NATO member states and is expected to increase to 3.5 percent in the future.
With regard to global participation, Lin linked Taiwan’s continued U.N. exclusion to China’s willful misinterpretation of U.N. Resolution 2758, which he said does not mention Taiwan or its international status. He urged the global body to look squarely at Taiwan’s bid, adding that the country can contribute not only its semiconductor prowess, but also its understanding of China’s behavior.
The minister’s remarks have since been published in global news outlets such as World View Television, The New York Sun and Real America’s Voice from the U.S.; National Newswatch from Canada; The Australian from Australia; The Jerusalem Post from Israel; Lusa from Portugal; Die Presse from Austria; and Rzeczpospolita from Poland. (SFC-E)
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