Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the “Quadrennial Forum: 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue” today (August 21), stating that the Chinese Communist Party’s military intimidation of neighboring countries disrupts regional peace and stability. The CCP is attempting to alter the international order, and democratic countries in the region and globally need to unite more closely to resist the expansion of authoritarianism.
The 8th “Quadrennial Forum: 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue” kicked off today, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the new government. This is the first regional security forum held since the new administration took office, aiming to enhance exchanges and dialogues with relevant parties through this platform, urging the international community to pay more attention to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
President Tsai mentioned in his speech that the Quadrennial Forum is an important platform for dialogue and exchanges in the Indo-Pacific region every year. This year marks the 8th edition, with topics discussed including “Taiwan Strait Security,” “Economic Security and Economic Coercion,” and “The Practice and Challenges of Digital Democracy,” all of which are issues of common concern for democratic countries globally. Taiwan is willing to engage in deeper exchanges and cooperation with various countries.
President Tsai expressed his warm welcome to the political leaders, parliamentarians, scholars, and experts from 11 countries who have traveled far to participate in this year’s forum, emphasizing the importance of their presence. He thanked former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley for their keynote speeches, which demonstrate support for democratic Taiwan and symbolize regional unity in the Indo-Pacific.
In recent years, the expansion of authoritarianism has become increasingly aggressive and a global challenge, President Tsai noted. Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, threats from North Korea in Northeast Asia, and conflicts in the Middle East are examples. The Chinese Communist Party has been expanding its military presence in the East and South China Seas, conducting military exercises not only in the Taiwan Strait but also in collaboration with Russia in the South China Sea, Western Pacific, and Sea of Japan, intimidating neighboring countries and disrupting regional peace and stability.
President Tsai also highlighted how China weaponizes trade, exerting political pressures and intimidation on countries like Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Lithuania, and Canada. This unilateral economic coercion, he believes, is particularly felt by friends from Australia and Lithuania present at the forum.
He further pointed out China’s efforts in conducting hybrid warfare through cyber-attacks, cognitive warfare, disinformation, political interference, and attempts to influence elections in various countries, spreading digital authoritarianism globally.
President Tsai emphasized the need for regional and global democratic nations to unite and take concrete actions, cooperate with each other, in order to resist the expansion of authoritarianism effectively.
Taiwan, being on the front line facing threats from China, will remain fearless and shoulder its responsibility in actively promoting the “Four Pillars of Peace Initiative” to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The initiative includes strengthening defense capabilities through defense reforms, increasing defense budgets, enhancing weapons and equipment procurement while prioritizing defense autonomy, incorporating emerging technologies, and establishing national defense resilience to bolster defense capabilities and demonstrate the resolve for self-defense.
In terms of economic security, Taiwan continues to diversify its economic development globally, reducing reliance on China significantly. Investments to China dropped from 83.8% in 2010 to 11.4% last year, and export share to China decreased from 43.1% in the first half of 2010 to 31.2% this year, the lowest in 22 years.
President Tsai stated that Taiwan aims to enhance economic resilience by promoting trade diversification through new trade agreements. The initial phase of the “Taiwan-US Trade Initiative of the 21st century” has been signed, entering the second-stage negotiations. Taiwan has also signed an investment agreement with Canada, a significant step in expanding into the North American market.
Taiwan has also signed a bilateral agreement with the UK to enhance trade partnerships for the first time, establishing a framework for further economic relations with European countries. The New Southbound Policy has yielded tangible results; in the first half of this year, Taiwan’s exports to the 18 countries under the policy reached NT$50.2 billion (about $1.653 billion), marking a new high for the same period over the years. Taiwan will continue to strive for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and collaborates with regional countries for more fruitful economic outcomes to enhance economic resilience collectively.
On strengthening partnerships with democratic countries, Taiwan is committed to advancing value diplomacy in various fields. Discussions at the forum will focus on Taiwan’s role in stabilizing the global semiconductor supply chain. Taiwan will continue to collaborate with democratic partners to build a sustainable supply chain for “democratic chips” to promote global prosperity. Taiwan will boost exchanges and cooperation in defense security with various countries, standing shoulder to shoulder with democratic nations to deter conflicts and achieve peace through strength.
Regarding leading with firm and principled leadership in cross-strait relations, President Tsai emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as a responsible member of the international community. As long as mutual respect and dignity are upheld, Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China to achieve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
President Tsai reiterated Taiwan’s determination to be a key force in promoting global democracy, peace, and prosperity. He called for unity among democratic partners to hold up the “democratic protective umbrella,” collaborate collectively, face the challenge of authoritarianism, and safeguard shared values. President Tsai expressed gratitude for the attention and support towards Taiwan and affirmed the continuous journey forward hand in hand with its international partners.
Dignitaries attending the event today included Chairman of the Prospect Foundation Tang Sang, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Pan Men-An, Secretary-General of the Control Yuan Lee Chun-Zhou, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Chen Li-Guo and Tian Zhongguo, Deputy Minister of Digital Development Que He-Ming, along with invitations extended to key figures from 11 countries such as Pankaj Saran from the India Center for Strategic Security Issues, Artis Pabriks from Latvia’s Northern Policy Center, Kalle Laanet from the Estonian Parliament, and Franz Jessen, former EU Ambassador to the Philippines, totaling approximately 12 politicians, parliamentarians, scholars, and experts engaging in in-depth discussions with Taiwanese officials and experts.