In a recorded message, Tsai Ing-Wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), noted that democracy is facing its biggest challenge since the Cold War. As we work to remedy the impact of the pandemic, we also face the threat of authoritarian regimes attempting to corrode democratic institutions and human rights. Taiwan’s democracy has persevered over several decades, despite increasingly aggressive efforts by China.
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan met the challenge head on and worked cooperatively with nations around the world, Tsai said. Taiwan is not yet a member of the United Nations (UN) but they have been proud to assist Ukraine and others. We must work together, Tsai said, to secure freedom and human rights for our collective future. Since the founding of the UN nearly 80 years ago, we have developed a shared understanding that a peaceful and secure world will not come easy, Tsai continued. Challenges will only become more profound, but standing united we can achieve what we set out to do.
“What authoritarian regimes do best is to divide and conquer. It is only when we work together and support one another that we can succeed in fending off the expansionist goal of authoritarian regimes.”
Tsai Ing-Wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
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