TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is ready to work with European and other democratic partners in infrastructure security and technology, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said at the Formosa Club meeting on Tuesday.
Lai said Taiwan would collaborate with Europe to strengthen key infrastructure like undersea cables and bolster government-private sector cooperation in aligning technology with democratic values, per the Presidential Office. Taiwan and Europe have faced threats and interference targeting undersea cables, which are the lifeline of the global digital economy and the underpinning of information security and economic resilience for democratic nations, the president said.
In the face of expanding authoritarianism, Lai said Taiwan has never backed down and remains committed to defending freedom and democracy. The support shown by European lawmakers demonstrates that like-minded friends are willing to speak up against authoritarianism. This makes Taiwanese truly value global democratic partners in facing shared challenges, he said.
Lai thanked European lawmakers for their long-time support for Taiwan. He said the European Parliament has passed several resolutions and statements rejecting China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758 and opposing China’s unilateral attempts to alter the cross-strait status quo.
Lai hoped ongoing collaboration between Taiwan and Europe would advance global peace and prosperity.
The Formosa Club was established in 2019 by the chairs of Taiwan friendship groups of the European Parliament and the parliaments of France, Germany, and the UK, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization aims to bolster ties with Taiwan and protect shared democratic values.
