Taiwan is “damn proud” of its recognition by the U.S. government as “a reliable partner, a democratic success story and a force for good in the world,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said during an address at the World Affairs Council March 11 in Los Angeles.
“I am yet to find another country enjoying such a high regard by the U.S. government,” Wu said. “As the Trump administration carries out its strategy for Asia, Taiwan marches forward in lockstep … and serves as an ideal ally for like-minded countries in the pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
According to Wu, the 23 million people of Taiwan endured 38 years of martial law but never gave up on freedom and democracy. “Through the efforts of many who sacrificed for our civil liberties and freedom, Taiwan has moved out of that dark chapter of history and blossomed into a full-fledged democracy—one of the only democracies among Chinese speaking societies,” he said.
“But we know that we cannot take these accomplishments for granted,” Wu said. “Looking around, rising authoritarian regimes and growing illiberal populist movements have cast a shadow over global freedom in recent years.”
Taiwan is on the front line in an ideological battle taking place in like-minded societies the world over, Wu said. “We have felt the brunt of China’s intensified campaign to subvert Taiwan’s democracy every day, through military intimidation, economic coercion, diplomatic assaults, disinformation and political subversion, seeking to undermine our elected government and interfere with our elections.”
According to Wu, as the threat posed by China is becoming graver, Taiwan’s relations with the U.S. are growing stronger. This healthy state of affairs takes on special significance as the two sides celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, he said.
Signed into law in April 1979, the TRA authorizes substantive exchanges between the two sides and contributes to maintaining Indo-Pacific peace, stability and security.
Despite China’s mounting pressure campaign, Wu said, the government is redoubling efforts to make Taiwan indispensable and irreplaceable to the world. A cornerstone of this approach is value-based diplomacy, which involves embracing each and every like-minded partner to build a free, open, peaceful and prosperous future. “Our warm power trumps authoritarian sharp power,” he added.
Wu said as the government continues strengthening Taiwan’s democracy and safeguarding its freedom of the media and speech, the country will shine even brighter as a beacon of hope for those clamoring to cast off the shackles of oppression.
“Democratic Taiwan is the David struggling with the authoritarian Chinese Goliath,” Wu said. “Democracy will prevail and Taiwan will prevail.” (HC-E)
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