TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) called on democratic partners to work together in facing complex global threats at the Forum for Democratic Cooperation in Taiwan on Wednesday.
Speaking at a public discussion held by the Czech think tank Forum 2000 Foundation, Lin said Taiwan is vital to democratic resilience and supply chain security. He said Taiwan has shown strength and innovation despite authoritarian pressure, cyberattacks, and information warfare.
“Taiwan’s experience shows democracy can stay strong when institutions are resilient, citizens take part, and international partners offer support,” Lin said. He added peace in the Taiwan Strait is tied to global interests.
Lin said supply chain security is now a matter of national security. He said Taiwan is working with like-minded countries to build trusted technology networks and supply chains not dependent on China.
Forum 2000 Foundation Executive Director Jakub Klepal said that no single democracy can address today’s international challenges alone. He said democratic countries must work together and develop concrete responses.
Klepal also noted the long friendship between former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Taiwan. He said Taiwan and Czechia share core values and have built wide cooperation in trade, technology, and academia.
Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu (吳志中) also attended the opening panel on Tuesday and hosted a lunch for participants on Wednesday. Wu said the gathering showed the shared will of democratic partners to defend democracy.
The foreign ministry said the event was the first major democracy forum held in Taiwan by a leading European think tank. It brought together politicians, lawmakers, party leaders, nongovernmental organization representatives, and scholars from more than 20 countries in Europe, North America, and the Indo-Pacific.
