TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) emphasized the importance of democratic cooperation for ensuring global peace and stability in a video message delivered at the recent national congress of the Norwegian Liberal Party (Venstre).
As chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai expressed gratitude to Venstre for supporting Taiwan’s democracy and advocating for the reopening of Taiwan’s representative office in Norway, according to CNA. He stressed the need for closer cooperation between Taiwan and democratic nations like Norway, particularly in the face of growing global challenges posed by the China-Russia partnership.
Lai highlighted that Taiwan and Norway share core values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. He acknowledged their common experiences in dealing with aggressive neighboring countries and expressed a desire for greater collaboration to defend these shared values. Lai also welcomed the prospect of future Norwegian delegations visiting Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Representative to Sweden, Klement Gu (谷瑞生), attended the event in person and participated in a forum focused on common security, where he discussed Taiwan’s democratic security.
Gu emphasized the need for stability in the Taiwan Strait and advocated for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN and related organizations. He criticized China for distorting UN Resolution 2758 to suppress Taiwan’s international presence while simultaneously threatening regional security.
Gu also noted the European Union’s opposition to China’s unilateral actions in the Taiwan Strait and called for Norway’s support for Taiwan, which he described as standing on the front line against authoritarian expansion.
The diplomat reiterated Lai’s four pillars of peace: strengthening defense, improving economic security, fostering partnerships with democratic countries, and establishing stable cross-strait relations. He also highlighted that international organizations such as NATO and ASEAN have emphasized the significance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, encouraging attendees to support Venstre’s pro-Taiwan stance.
