Taiwan committed to protecting sovereignty, democracy: President Tsai

Taipei, April 16 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Saturday that Taiwan remains resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty and will continue to stand with like-minded countries to protect freedom and democracy, in the face of threats posed by authoritarianism.

Over the past two years, the international community has seen drastic changes characterized by authoritarianism menacing democracy, as in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Tsai said in a pre-recorded video address to the 11th “National Taiwan Conference at Home and Abroad.”

Even as the world’s attention is focused on Ukraine, the Taiwan situation is also of grave concern to many, she said.

Tsai also thanked the public for its support of Taiwan’s fundraising campaign to help Ukrainian refugees, which attracted donations of US$32.69 million in one month.

The donations, along with medical resources provided by the Taiwan government, demonstrated the country’s ability to help others, the president said at the annual conference, which was initiated in 1998 by pro-independence groups to foster discussions among Taiwanese expatriates on the country’s development.

As an increasing number of countries continue to express support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, Taiwan is showing the world that it is determined to safeguard its security and is committed to advancing freedom and democracy throughout the world, Tsai said.

(By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Shih Hsiu-chuan

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