TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Israel held their first innovation and resilience summit at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel on Wednesday.

The Taiwan–Israel Resilience and Innovation Summit attracted nearly 100 students and professionals. It highlighted the countries’ shared values in tech and supply chain partnerships.

Taiwan Representative to Israel Lee Ya-ping (李雅萍) said in a speech that Taiwan plays an indispensable role in geopolitics, per CNA. Positioned on the frontlines against authoritarianism, Taiwan strives to safeguard democracy.

Lee added that Taiwan is a driving force in global innovation and called on Israeli businesses to make use of its recruitment programs.

Taiwan Trade and Innovation Center Tel Aviv Director Lin Pei-chen (林珮琤) said Israel’s startup energy complements Taiwan’s tech ecosystem. She said the trade center will support Taiwan and Israeli exchanges.

Taiwan and Israel have had a rocky relationship in the past. Analyst Mercy Kuo said in an op-ed the US and Taiwan were frustrated with Israel’s arms sales to China in the 1990s and early 2000s.

However, Kuo explained that Taiwan and Israel have a shared belief in democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, with the Israel-Palestinian conflict serving as a wake-up call for Taiwan.

In recent years, the countries have seen growing tech cooperation. Startup Taboola Vice President of Research and Development Aviv Sinai said the advertising company set up an office in Taipei in 2020 through the National Science and Technology Council's X Talent program.

Taboola has become a successful model for fostering Taiwan-Israel startups, offering valuable lessons for Israeli companies, he said.

In October, Taiwan inked an agreement with Israel, aimed at deepening cultural and art exchanges. To date, 34 agreements have been signed between the pair.