Taiwan: Committed to maintaining security, protecting democracy

To fill an entire ballroom with warmth and goodwill can be difficult, but the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines did it recently at Sofitel Manila.

The occasion was the 111th National Day Celebration of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Daily Tribune is reprinting in full the message of TECO Representative Peiyung Hsu.

"First of all, thank you so much for joining us tonight to celebrate the 111th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). We are very happy to commemorate our National Day with all of you, in person, after two and a half years of Covid-19. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.

"We have all suffered from the pandemic, which had a great impact on our daily lives and the global economy. The pandemic didn't isolate us but united us against the pandemic.

"For example, my government and the Taiwanese community in the Philippines donated more than 1 million medical masks, PPEs, and 200 oxygen concentrators to the Philippines. Taiwan medical experts, including former Vice President Dr. Chen Chien-Jen, also shared the 'Pandemic Response Experience' via various webinars with frontline health workers in the Philippines.

"The new Taiwan model for fighting Covid-19 balances anti-pandemic measures with economic growth. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022 published by the Swiss International Institute for Management Development placed Taiwan the seventh. In this regard, I want to express my special thanks to over 150,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan whose hard work definitely contributes to Taiwan's economic development and growth.

"Since February 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the security threat posed by authoritarian expansion. As we speak, the rules-based international order faces unprecedented challenges. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has underlined the gravity of the threat posed by authoritarian states. This threat is increasing in the Indo-Pacific region amid continued authoritarian expansion.

"China's persistent military exercises, gray zone operations, and incursions with military personnel, weaponry, and drones into the areas around Taiwan undermine the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

"These irresponsible actions encroach on Taiwan's sovereignty and threaten peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. They also endanger air and maritime safety as well as international trade in an attempt to erode international law and norms.

"It is heartening to know, however, that Taiwan is not alone in facing such an aggression. We deeply appreciate the support from administration and elected officials in the US who, together with friends from G7 nations and many other like-minded partners around the world, condemned China's military provocations.

"But we will not depend on others to come to our own defense. Taiwan is fully committed to protecting our security and maintaining our democratic way of life. We are also working to adapt our defense strategy to the changing threats we face.

"The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is dedicated to building a consistent, predictable, and sustainable cross-strait relationship. Maintaining peace and status quo is the unwavering position of Taiwan and the government is willing to maintain positive interactions and stable development across the Taiwan Strait on the basis of "peace, parity, democracy and dialogue."