TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) lauded the close ties between Taiwan and Japan during an inaugural forum on late former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Taiwan-Japan relations at National Chengchi University on Tuesday.
Lai called Abe “a visionary statesman and a cherished friend” of Taiwan, according to the Presidential Office. His concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” left a profound impact on the region’s stability and prosperity, the president said.
He said Abe’s statement, “A Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” raised global awareness of the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and conveyed Japan’s sincerity about its friendship with Taiwan.
“The strong bond between the two countries has transcended geographic and political boundaries, becoming a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in East Asia,” Lai said.
“Taiwan and Japan both occupy critical strategic positions along the first island chain and face similar security challenges,” Lai said. He thanked Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for carrying forward Abe’s vision by repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait on the international stage, and for advancing an updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy.
Taiwan looks forward to continued bilateral cooperation across several fields and to upholding democracy and freedom together, Lai said.
