TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said Wednesday that Taiwan must draw on Sweden’s experience to enhance defense and civil resilience.

Hsiao met a cross-party delegation from the Sweden-Taiwan Parliamentary Association, led by lawmaker Alexandra Anstrell, per CNA. The vice president said the visit underscores Sweden’s commitment to Taiwan.

Hsiao thanked the delegation for advocating peace in the Taiwan Strait and for Sweden’s support of Taiwan’s participation in global organizations. She also praised Sweden for rejecting Beijing’s use of UN Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from international affairs.

On bilateral ties, Hsiao noted stable trade and investment relations and said the Russian invasion of Ukraine shows that peace cannot be taken for granted. She praised Sweden’s civil defense handbook as a model, inspiring Taiwan's version to educate citizens on crisis preparedness.

She concluded that the stronger and better prepared Taiwan becomes, the more it can deter potential aggressors.