TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the US must defend democracy together and create shared prosperity, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said during talks with Thomas A. Daschle, chair of the board of directors at the Center for American Progress.

Taiwan–US relations are built on shared commitments to democracy and human rights, which were “hard-won” achievements, Lin said in a Facebook post. Authoritarian regimes are using disinformation and cognitive warfare to challenge democratic systems at an unprecedented level, he added.

The foreign minister said Taiwan is determined to shoulder the responsibility of self-defense, while also contributing to regional peace and stability.

Lin said that as AI continues to advance, Taiwan plays a critical role in semiconductors and related industries. He looked forward to deepening cooperation with the US to strengthen non-Chinese supply chains.

Daschle pointed out that as of September, Taiwan has officially spent more days as a democracy than under martial law. He said this milestone carries profound significance in the quality and success of Taiwan’s democratic development, which has become a model for global democracies.

Daschle also praised Taiwan’s healthcare system and economy, saying that the world relies on Taiwan’s products and innovations. These achievements, he said, stem from the hard work of past generations and, in part, from the deep friendship between Taiwan and the US, which has endured for more than 50 years.