TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Thursday called for increased security cooperation between Taiwan and the UK to deal with threats to democracy. 

Tsai delivered a speech at a reception banquet in the House of Lords, addressing members of both houses of parliament who support Taiwan, per CNA. Tsai said that the global landscape faces uncertainty, and she believes that all sectors would agree that Taiwan and the UK should work more closely together to strengthen their resilience and security.

Tsai warned that anti-democratic forces are increasingly exploiting the openness of free societies, using disinformation and influence operations to sow division. She said the UK faces a growing threat in this regard, while Taiwan is the most frequently targeted country in the world by such attacks.

However, Tsai said Taiwan and the UK have strong capabilities to counter foreign information manipulation and interference. She said Taiwan and the UK "have been exchanging our expertise to bolster our defensive arsenals." 

Tsai said Taiwan is learning from the UK’s rich experience in strategic communications and the application of innovative tools. For its part, Taiwan is sharing how it uses rapid-response mechanisms and collaborative networks to promote the dissemination of accurate information and enhance media literacy.

The former president said that as AI and social media amplify threats, Taiwan-UK cooperation is more important than ever. The health of democratic systems is closely tied to the ability to curb malicious influence and ensure that the public has access to a trustworthy information environment, said Tsai. 

Tsai noted that, “It is a testing time for democracy around the world.” She said that as representatives entrusted by the people, the Taiwan and UK governments have a responsibility to safeguard their democratic institutions and stand in solidarity with democratic countries.

She said it is more important than ever that the two countries strengthen collaboration to confront security threats. "The health of our democracies depends on our ability to cut off malign influence and ensure that people have access to reliable information,” said Tsai.

Tsai expressed her appreciation to UK parliamentarians who support Taiwan. She noted that in November, the House of Commons unanimously passed a motion stating that UN Resolution 2758 never mentioned Taiwan. Tsai said this move is crucial in countering aggressive actions in the Taiwan Strait, helping to keep this "vital trade corridor" open and ensuring regional peace and stability.

Tsai concluded that the UK Parliament’s support for Taiwan is deeply significant. She said that although "Taiwan is on the frontline of defending democracy" under immense pressure from China, it has never wavered in its commitment to democratic values. 

Tsai stressed that Taiwan has proven that no matter how many challenges it faces, democracy can not only survive but also thrive.