Tsai Ing-wen highlights Taiwan's resilience and global responsibility at Stanford forum

Former President Tsai Ing-wen spoke at a forum hosted by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University on the 8th of this month, using the opportunity to articulate to the international community Taiwan's resilience and determination in the face of external threats. She noted that over the past two decades, Taiwan has accumulated valuable experience in managing divisions and crises through the interaction of its democratic system and pluralistic society. These experiences have not only enabled Taiwan to maintain domestic social stability but have also empowered it to respond to global challenges with concrete actions on the international stage.

In her remarks, Tsai reiterated that regardless of military threats, diplomatic isolation, or economic pressure from mainland China, Taiwan's determination to participate in international affairs will not waver. She mentioned that through the "Taiwan Model," Taiwan has provided substantive contributions to the world in fields such as healthcare, technology, environmental protection, and humanitarian relief. This address also served to reaffirm to the international community, particularly the United States and its allies, Taiwan's indispensable role in upholding freedom and democratic value systems.

During the forum, Tsai also reviewed Taiwan's rapid response and coordination mechanisms demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated that through close cooperation between the central and local governments, as well as the participation of civil society organizations, Taiwan successfully pushed its vaccination rate to the forefront globally. This experience is regarded as a prime example of Taiwan's ability to demonstrate "resilience" and "flexibility" through practical operations when facing international crises.

Furthermore, Tsai emphasized that Taiwan's economic development is not isolated from the global market. She pointed out that Taiwan's semiconductor industry has become an indispensable link in the global supply chain, and the island continues to invest in research and development in the fields of artificial intelligence, green energy, and the digital economy. These investments not only enhance Taiwan's international competitiveness but also provide opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer to other developing economies. She called upon the international community to jointly support Taiwan's participation in global governance to promote regional peace and prosperity.

Finally, Tsai urged the international community to adopt "multilateralism" and "win-win" as core values when facing competition among major powers, avoiding unilateral sanctions or exclusion. She stated that Taiwan is willing to play a constructive role in international organizations and prove through practical actions that "freedom, democracy, and the rule of law" are not merely slogans, but forces capable of generating substantive benefits on a global scale. Through this address, Tsai not only reaffirmed Taiwan's determination to participate internationally but also laid a solid foundation for Taiwan to continue exercising its influence on the global stage.