TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) spoke at the opening ceremony of RightsCon on Monday, praising the country’s commitment to human rights and democratic values, which have been extended into the digital environment.
Hsiao expressed her desire to work with the international community to narrow the digital and technological gap many countries face, providing everyone equal access to the internet and opportunities to utilize the digital age, per CNA.
She said Taiwan is rated as one of the most open and democratic societies in Asia but does not take this for granted as she personally experienced one of the world's longest periods of martial law, 37 years ago. She said Taiwan's democratization process included many milestones and key dates in the struggle for human rights.
For example, Hsiao said that in 1996 when Taiwan held its first direct presidential election, China held military exercises and launched missiles in the Taiwan Strait as an attempt to threaten Taiwan's budding democracy. Similar intimidation continues to this day, with increased escalation and intensity.
Hsiao said that Taiwan continues to stand at the forefront of democracy and technology, and is well aware of how the internet and digital technology can enhance transparency and empowerment but also pose challenges and the risk of abuse. According to Hsiao, this is a test of Taiwan's resilience and determination to maintain a free and open society.
Hsiao believes Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region and is firmly committed to promoting digital freedom, internet access, and responsible technology use. According to Hsiao, Taiwan is ready to expand government services through the development of AI but is also working to safeguard digital rights.
She said ongoing cyber attacks and fake news are two of the most pressing challenges facing Taiwan. As geopolitical tensions rise, Taiwan remains a prime target for coordinated nation-state digital attacks, including cyber intrusions into government agencies and critical infrastructure.
Hsiao said the rise of AI and big data also brings new ethical and security challenges in the form of surveillance and algorithmic bias, which can become even more problematic when directed by totalitarian states.
In conclusion, Hsiao said Taiwan advocates strengthening international cooperation to narrow the technological gap to ensure everyone can fairly enjoy the benefits of the digital age. She hoped that all participants in RightsCon could exchange opinions and work together to strengthen human rights in the digital field.
