TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will never backslide from democracy, Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said on Wednesday.
Addressing the DPP Central Standing Committee, Lai said Taiwan’s democracy and freedom were hard-won achievements after much sacrifice, CNA reported. Now, the DPP is responsible for safeguarding these values, he said.
This means uniting citizens and standing with the global democracies to resist authoritarian expansion and promote mutual prosperity.
The president pointed out that Tuesday was Human Rights Day. He encouraged all party members and public officials to remember the sacrifices of those who courageously fought for Taiwan’s democratization.
A democratic Taiwan would continue to engage with the world and will never turn its back, Lai pledged.
Commenting on his recent trip to Taiwan’s South Pacific allies, Lai said it garnered widespread support from overseas Taiwanese, allied nations, and democratic partners for the nation. Lai noted this was his first trip abroad, and part of a new era in values-based diplomacy.