Former US Republican presidential candidate and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley visited President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen on the 22nd to meet and discuss various issues. Tsai reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and economic resilience to secure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through strength. Haley expressed delight in Taiwan’s successes and expressed hope for the continued enhancement of the mutually reliant US-Taiwan partnership.
President Tsai received the “Nikki Haley Visiting Delegation,” led by former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, praising Haley and her husband Michael Haley for their first visit to Taiwan and participation in the Ketagalan Forum. Tsai expressed gratitude for Haley’s warm friendship and unwavering support for Taiwan.
Tsai expressed his longstanding desire to personally thank Haley for her outspoken advocacy for Taiwan during her tenure as the US Ambassador to the UN, particularly for speaking up for Taiwan’s representation and rights at the UN headquarters. He stressed the importance of all nations having the right to engage in UN activities, emphasizing the need for Taiwan’s inclusion in the international community.
The President thanked Haley for acknowledging Taiwan’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for Taiwan’s health rights not to be excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO). Tsai endorsed Taiwan’s integration into the global stage and called for UN and international organizations to embrace Taiwan.
“We understand the geopolitical shifts and rising authoritarianism threatening global democracy. As the forefront of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will bolster its defense capabilities and economic resilience to stand with the democratic camp and deter potential conflicts, aiming for peaceful stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai remarked.
Lastly, Tsai expressed gratitude for Haley’s call for unity among the international democratic community to counter the expansion of authoritarianism and safeguard global peace and stability, acknowledging Haley’s significant impact on Taiwan’s fight for justice.
Nikki Haley, in her address, commended President Tsai and his administration for the warm reception and expressed honor in speaking at the Ketagalan Forum on the 21st. She highlighted Taiwan’s brave populace’s dedication to freedom and democracy, contrasting it with China’s focus on power and oppression.
Haley emphasized the moral disparity between Taiwan and China during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Taiwan proactively informed the world about the virus’s origins, China attempted to conceal the truth, resulting in millions of deaths worldwide due to its arrogance and irresponsibility.
She emphasized her visit to Taiwan as a demonstration of solidarity to show US support for Taiwan’s success. Haley hoped to strengthen the mutual US-Taiwan partnership across military, commercial, and academic domains, promoting the significance of democracy worldwide.
She stressed the necessity of returning to the US to convey the importance of Taiwan to the American people, urging vigilance amid ongoing conflicts worldwide and the need to prepare for any potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan ahead of time. Emphasizing the importance of alliance-building and strategic planning to ensure global awareness and readiness.