The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China collaborated with the Prospect Foundation to hold the “Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the forum focused on key issues such as the Indo-Pacific situation, societal defense resilience, and economic, technological, and industrial diplomacy, achieving fruitful results.
In a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this forum was opened by President Tsai Ing-wen, who delivered a speech, and featured keynote speeches by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former President of the French National Assembly François de Rugy. The day consisted of three forum sessions where political leaders and expert scholars from relevant regional countries discussed topics including Indo-Pacific security, hybrid warfare, societal defense resilience, and the impact of economic, technological, and industrial diplomacy on international politics.
President Tsai emphasized Taiwan’s strategic location as a crucial point in the first island chain and its role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. She mentioned the government’s commitment to implementing the “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait, deepen partnerships with other democratic countries, promote global prosperity, and enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities through increased societal defense resilience and civilian participation in drills.
President Tsai also stressed Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience, promote economic security, and collaborate with democratic nations to build a more robust democratic supply chain, aiming for economic prosperity and democratic deepening to safeguard the hard-won democratic and free way of life.
In his keynote speech, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson highly praised Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and technological achievements. He pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to coerce Taiwan are a major mistake, urging countries to stand with Taiwan against Beijing’s pressure and expressing gratitude for Taiwan’s courage in defending freedom amidst difficulties and dangers, with Taiwan having the support of the UK.
Former President of the French National Assembly François de Rugy, in his afternoon keynote speech, emphasized Taiwan’s strategic importance for global stability and economy. He advocated for defending freedom of navigation, strengthening ties with Taiwan and other democratic countries, countering disinformation, urging the EU to enhance economic cooperation and climate collaboration with Taiwan, supporting Taiwan’s accession to international organizations, and calling on countries to take collective action to uphold a rules-based international order and counter authoritarian threats.
Foreign Minister of the Republic of China, Joseph Wu, stated during a banquet for guests on the evening of the 5th, that Taiwan stands at the forefront of resisting authoritarian expansion, resolutely curbing China’s economic coercion, cyber attacks, and gray zone tactics, and will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries to defend shared values. Under President Tsai’s “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote “comprehensive diplomacy,” leading Taiwan towards the goal of becoming a “medium-power nation.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China mentioned that the forum consisted of three sessions titled “New Geopolitical Security Situation in the Indo-Pacific,” “Responding to Hybrid Warfare and Strengthening Societal Defense Resilience,” and “Impact of Economic, Technological, and Industrial Diplomacy on International Politics.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, a total of 12 political leaders, parliament members, and expert scholars from ten countries including the United States, Japan, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region participated in the forum, providing professional and constructive viewpoints and suggestions. Approximately 300 attendees participated in the event onsite with enthusiastic interactions, while around 20,000 people watched the event simultaneously on various online streaming platforms, making it a great success.