The Secretary-General of the National Security Council of the Republic of China (Taiwan), David T. Lee, was invited to visit the Czech Republic to attend the 2024 “Global Security Forum.” He pointed out that the expansionist actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have posed a threat to the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, CCP patrol boats have even clashed with Philippine coast guard ships in the South China Sea, and Chinese military aircraft have violated Japanese airspace, deliberately escalating regional tensions.
During his participation in the “2024 Global Security Forum” (GLOBSEC) in the Czech Republic, Secretary-General David T. Lee delivered a speech on August 31 with the theme “Unwavering Democracies: Taiwan’s Role in European Security.” This marks his second attendance at the forum, with the previous one being in October 2021 when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China and attended the forum to give a keynote speech. He emphasized the interconnected nature of the current global situation, with regional conflicts impacting and intertwining with each other.
David T. Lee noted that the declaration of the recent NATO Summit in Washington explicitly stated that the CCP has become a key supporter of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, highlighting the significant impact of CCP’s involvement on European security. He stressed that the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region are closely linked to the security and prosperity of Europe-Atlantic, and the democratic camp at both ends of the Eurasian continent must unite to curb the expansionist ambitions of the CCP. Taiwan, being strategically located and economically significant globally, is a “democracy that must not fall.”
In the face of the authoritarian expansionist challenges posed by the CCP, Taiwan has adopted a prudent and responsible response strategy. Taiwan has not only significantly increased its defense budget but also focused on enhancing the overall societal defense resilience, strengthening the domestic defense industry, and developing asymmetric warfare capabilities. Taiwan is determined to defend itself and will not shy away from its responsibility to safeguard regional peace and stability. David T. Lee emphasized the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the global future and urged European countries to make the CCP understand that aggressive actions will have consequences. Only by ensuring the prosperity of Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region can a prosperous Europe be guaranteed.
During the participation in the “2024 Global Security Forum” in the Czech Republic, David T. Lee held sideline meetings on August 31 with French National Assembly members including Benjamin Haddad, Frédéric Petit, Constance Le Grip, Jean-Noël Barrot, and Member of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau to exchange views on the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region’s situation.
David T. Lee reiterated that the expansionist actions of the CCP have already posed a threat to the Indo-Pacific region. CCP military aircraft frequently cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait, conduct military exercises in the waters near Taiwan, and recently, CCP patrol boats have clashed with Philippine coast guard ships while Chinese military aircraft have even entered Japanese airspace, intentionally escalating the regional tensions.
The attending French lawmakers stated that the support of the international democratic camp for Ukraine sends a clear message to the CCP that the use of force is unacceptable internationally. Once Russia achieves victory, it would send a wrong message to the CCP that aggression can be carried out without consequences. Democratic nations should stand united in response and counteraction.
David T. Lee mentioned that France passed the “Seven-Year Defense Act” in 2023, making it the first major country globally to defend freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait through legislation, demonstrating concrete support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region through practical actions. The Taiwan government expressed its high appreciation and thanks for this stance.
David T. Lee pointed out that in recent years, the authoritarian “CRINK” bloc consisting of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have supported each other and undermined the international order. It is imperative for global democratic partners to collaborate and defend the rule-based international order. Finally, David T. Lee welcomed the attending lawmakers to visit Taiwan at their convenience, experience the warm hospitality of the Taiwanese people, and hoped that the Taiwan-France friendship would continue to deepen on the basis of shared values.