Jaushieh Joseph Wu
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
October 8, 2020
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Good evening!
It is an honor to host tonight's dinner. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I'd like to thank you all for your enthusiastic participation in this year's Yushan Forum, the fourth edition of the event. Through the Yushan Forum, Taiwan's government and private sector have together created a platform for regular regional dialogue. Based on a peoplecentric approach, mutual assistance for mutual benefit, and sustainable development, we are seeking to promote the New Southbound Policy in concert with related partner countries and like-minded nations, so as to shape a common vision for the region's future development.
Since launching the New Southbound Policy in 2016, our government has made substantial progress in promoting economic collaboration, conducting talent exchange, sharing resources, and forging regional links. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly limited our interaction with New Southbound Policy partner countries in 2020, we have still been able to use videoconferencing and other methods to maintain exchanges. We have also actively shared antipandemic expertise and experience, and strengthened international humanitarian assistance. To date, we have donated more than four million medical masks and other antipandemic supplies to New Southbound Policy partner countries.
I was delighted that even more political and opinion leaders from Europe attended this year's Yushan Forum. We hope that strengthening the forum's connections to the EU's Europe-Asia Connectivity strategy will advance our strategic links in such areas as public health and medicine, information security, the digital and green economies, and cultural exchange.
This year has not been easy for anyone. Since erupting at the start of 2020, the global outbreak of COVID-19 has upended working practices and daily lives, tested governments' capacity, and highlighted the importance of global supply chains, including those for medical, pharmaceutical, and high-tech industries.
In successfully containing COVID-19, a number of things have been key for Taiwan: the vigilance of the Taiwanese people, our comprehensive health insurance system, the government's advance deployment, strict border controls and screening measures, and transparent information-sharing. These factors built confidence in collective action to fight the pandemic. The Taiwan Model reflects our qualities as a free and democratic nation, as well as our openness and transparency. This is also why democratic nations have contained the pandemic more effectively than authoritarian regimes.
I also wish to take this opportunity to commend Mr. Rasmussen for his untiring efforts to safeguard the values of freedom and democracy. Thank you for inviting President Tsai Ing-wen to address the Copenhagen Democracy Summit via video link in June and share Taiwan's antipandemic achievements and democratic experience. The summit plays an important role in connecting members of the global democratic community and promoting the democratization movement. I was deeply honored to attend the event myself in 2019.
Even as the world continues to suffer the ravages of COVID-19, China's imprudent coercion and human rights violations have worsened across the Taiwan Strait and in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, the South China Sea, Europe, and elsewhere. This has raised grave concern among the international community, and made countries profoundly aware that China's threats are not aimed at Taiwan alone.
In recent months, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and other prominent leaders have visited Taiwan. And at the end of September, key members of the European Parliament publicly urged China to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. These actions have amply demonstrated countries' support for and recognition of free and democratic Taiwan, and strengthened our determination to stand firm as a sovereign and democratic nation. Taiwan stands on the front line in the defense of democracy. And we seek not only to protect ourselves; it is our duty and our desire to work with like-minded nations in containing the progress of tyranny and jointly maintaining regional peace and prosperity. Taiwan will continue to serve as a force for good in the world, bringing hope to the international community.
Thank you all for your presence here once again. Thank you!