Foreign Minister Wu delivers speech at Lithuanian forum

2023/11/14

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu delivered a speech at the Future of Democracy: High Level Forum on Defending Against Authoritarianism Nov. 10 in Vilnius of Lithuania, calling on members of the free world to stand in unity to defend democracy.
 
According to Wu, the bond between Taiwan and Lithuania is rooted in their common commitment to safeguarding freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Baltic state’s fight to regain independence and democracy remains highly inspirational to the people of Taiwan, he added.
 
More importantly, Wu said, Lithuania was the first European country to agree to the establishment of a representative office under the name Taiwan and donate COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan. The visits by Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen and former President Dalia Grybauskaite further demonstrate that Lithuania is a moral superpower despite its small size, he said, adding that such warm support for Taiwan is sincerely appreciated by the country’s government and people.
 
Wu cited Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine as an example of the devastation authoritarian regimes can cause. He added that Taiwan has shown its unwavering support by working with Central and Eastern European partners including Lithuania, Czechia, Poland and Slovakia to provide humanitarian aid and financial assistance.
 
The minister said the Indo-Pacific region is also facing increasing authoritarian expansionism, as evidenced by China’s unceasing gray zone activities in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas that have sparked dangerous tension with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
 
Taiwan welcomes the decisions of more European governments to connect with democracies in the Indo-Pacific to address the danger posed by China’s aggression in the region, Wu said. Members of the free world now stand in unity to foster a world where people can shape their own destinies, he added. 


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