President Tsai kicks off 2023 Taipei Security Dialogue

2023/11/13

President Tsai Ing-wen opened the 2023 Taipei Security Dialogue Nov. 8 in Taipei City with affirmations of the government’s commitment to working with like-minded partners to deter adventurism and aggression in the region while ensuring a peaceful future.
 
Democracies must remain steadfast in defending themselves in the face of threats from authoritarian regimes, Tsai said, noting escalating gray zone activities in the Indo-Pacific including maritime intimidation in the South and East China Seas as well as more direct challenges like cyberattacks, economic coercion, and incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
 
The people of Taiwan are encouraged by statements voicing support for regional peace and stability from the international community, Tsai said. These included a communique released by the Group of Seven leaders in May, and a joint leaders’ statement released by U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month, she added.
 
According to the president, the government is dedicated to enhancing Taiwan’s self- defense capabilities and social resilience. She cited the country’s reinstated one-year mandatory military service, refinements to reserve training and civil defense, increased national defense budget and the launch of the first indigenous submarine prototype in September as evidence of its commitment.
 
Unconventional threats like cognitive warfare in the forms of misinformation and disinformation also confront the country, Tsai said, adding that the government is implementing counter measures such as offering real-time clarifications to the public. Civil society organizations are also stepping up to provide media literacy training and fact-checking tools, she added.
 
Taiwan’s security is tied to the stability of the Indo-Pacific and the world, Tsai said. Describing the country as a secure and reliable partner, the president added that the government will continue to deepen partnership with stakeholders to maintain the regional status quo.
 
Following the event hosted by Taipei-headquartered think tank Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Tsai received participants led by former Acting U.S. Secretary of the Army John Whitley Nov. 9 at the Presidential Office. During the meeting, Whitley praised the progress the two sides have made in joint military training and expressed his hopes to expand relationships with regional partners.  


Source: Noticias de Taiwan (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)