TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) defended the appointment of rock star and former legislator Freddy Lim (林昶佐) as Taiwan’s representative to Finland during a legislative budget hearing on Monday.
Amid criticism from opposition lawmakers, Lin said Lim is qualified for the role, per CNA. He emphasized that diplomacy requires interdisciplinary expertise in fields such as economics, culture, and emerging technologies.
Lin noted that Lim served two terms in the Legislative Yuan and was a member of the foreign affairs and defense committee. He added that Lim had participated in international events such as the Copenhagen Democracy Summit and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, demonstrating his international experience and cultural reach.
Northern Europe is a key region for Taiwan’s global diplomacy, especially in areas such as democracy, human rights, and regional security, Lin said. He added that Taiwan and Finland have active cooperation in societal resilience and defense, and have signed air service agreements.
