Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation with like-minded partners to safeguard freedom and democracy in the face of authoritarian expansionism, Deputy Foreign Minister Tsai Ming-yen said Dec. 22.
Taiwan’s democratic system offers an alternative to Beijing’s authoritarian regime, Tsai said, adding that China is using the country as a test site for hybrid warfare.
Tsai made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Catherine Vuylsteke for an online article published by Belgian weekly magazine Knack Dec. 26.
According to Tsai, China and Russia are using their economic influence and trade relations to pressure other nations. The international community has realized the need to protect key technology and supply chains in order to safeguard democracy, free trade and the rule of law, he said.
Taiwan accounts for 60 percent of the world’s semiconductor foundry capacity and 92 percent of global production of advanced chips, and the country has industry partners all over the world, including the Belgium-headquartered Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre and the Netherlands-based ASML.
Beijing used U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit as an excuse to stage live-fire military exercises in Taiwan’s airspace and surrounding waters, Tsai said. The country will continue to welcome international friends because it is the inalienable right of a sovereign nation.
Taiwan is on the front line of countering authoritarian expansion, Tsai said, adding that international solidarity has never been more important than now. (DL-E)
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