Dr. Roy Chun Lee
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
November 29, 2023
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good afternoon!
（感謝主持人及主辦單位）
Thank you very much, Major General Wolski, for that generous introduction. The Berlin Security Conference is one of the most important European events on security and defense policy. As Taiwan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, it is truly a privilege for me to be here.
（BSC 2023重要性）
This year’s BSC comes at a critical time. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is heading for a second winter and war is raging in Gaza. As a peace-loving democratic country, Taiwan hopes that stability can be restored in Europe and the Middle East. Gatherings like this are important, because they bring together leaders to discuss how we can make progress toward our common goal of peace.
（演講重點：台灣面對的安全挑戰、台灣安全攸關歐洲和全世界安全）
I would like to take this opportunity to outline Taiwan’s efforts to address its own security challenges and discuss why the safety of Taiwan matters to Europe and the rest of the world.
（印太地區威權擴張）
Taiwan is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific—the world’s fastest-growing region. A stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific will reinforce international security and drive global economic growth. But peace and prosperity in the region are being challenged by the increasingly coordinated efforts of aggressive and assertive authoritarian regimes.
（中俄威脅）
Last month at the Belt and Road Summit and the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, we saw China and Russia are collaborating more closely than ever before. As authoritarian states form alliances that threaten democracies and undermine the rules-based international order, the democratic community must come together to counter their ambitions before it is too late.
（烏克蘭對台灣的啟示）
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves around Europe and beyond. The war not only created a human rights and humanitarian crisis but also challenged the rules-based international order as laid out in the UN Charter. The conflict has served as a lesson for the Taiwanese people. Today, Ukraine is being attacked by Russia. Tomorrow, Taiwan or another country could be the victim of aggression from China. We should take authoritarian threats to use force very seriously.
（台灣對抗中國威權）
Taiwan has been on the front line of countering authoritarian expansionism for many years. Chinese aggression takes many forms, including military provocation, diplomatic pressure, and economic coercion. With the increase of China’s wealth, a number of countries have turned a blind eye to its human rights abuses and ignored the threat it poses to Taiwan. Seduced by economic enticements, some have even swallowed the rhetoric of the Chinese Communist Party and accepted the “one China principle.”
（印太面對中國灰色地帶戰術）
In the Indo-Pacific, we are confronted by an escalation in gray-zone military tactics from China. Chinese warplanes and vessels engage in increasingly reckless and provocative maneuvers around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Taiwan also has to defend itself against hybrid cognitive warfare, including disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
（台灣支持烏克蘭）
In facing these threats, Taiwan understands the importance of solidarity with other members of the democratic community. That is why we stand in unity with Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Taiwan has contributed an increasing amount of material and moral support to the Ukrainian people. We are working closely with our friends in Eastern Europe to assist with the reconstruction of Ukraine.
As of the end of October, combined public and private donations from Taiwan exceeded 110 million US dollars. We have also contributed approximately 950 tons of relief supplies. This demonstrates our commitment as a member of the democratic camp to assist fellow democracies and push back against authoritarian expansionism.
（台灣從烏克蘭學到自助而後人助）
Another lesson Taiwan has learned from Ukraine is that size does not always matter. A smaller country can deter a larger aggressor with enhanced self-defense and asymmetric warfare capabilities. We are taking all the necessary measures to counter China’s growing military and economic might, and we are steadily making progress toward self-sufficiency in national defense. We also trust in the saying that help will come to those who help themselves. But while we deeply appreciate the support of our friends, we will never take it for granted.
（備戰而不求戰）
Here, I must stress that military confrontation is the last resort. We seek a peaceful and stable relationship with China. However, we recognize that peace comes from strength. The 23.5 million Taiwanese people are determined to show their resolve to defend their democratic way of life. Taiwan is preparing militarily, economically, and mentally for any eventuality.
（歐洲及全球建立經濟韌性的夥伴）
The security of Taiwan is integral to the security and prosperity of Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world. Taiwan produces more than 90 percent of the world’s most advanced semiconductor chips. And half of international container shipping sails through the Taiwan Strait. A conflict would be catastrophic for global industry and the world economy. Some estimates suggest that a blockade of Taiwan would cause losses of up to 2 trillion US dollars. If China’s aggression were to succeed, the impact would go far beyond the destruction of peace and security across the Taiwan Strait. Democracies might lose ground, allowing authoritarian regimes to reshape the international order. The consequences for the world would be hard to imagine.
（台歐合作共同降低風險）
We are encouraged that Europe has adopted a de-risking approach in its dealings with authoritarian states. Building partnerships with like-minded countries based on trust is critical to enhancing economic resilience. Taiwan is a key partner for the European Union’s strategic autonomy policy. We are working closely with the EU on projects involving semiconductors, de-risking, and cybersecurity. The EU Chips Act, passed in July, recognizes Taiwan as a strategic partner for supply chain security. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plans to build a facility in Dresden. We also hope to deepen cooperation with Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe to establish semiconductor clusters.
（樂願分享抗中經驗）
As Europe recalibrates its relations with China, it is also paying more attention to countering foreign information manipulation and interference. Taiwan is ready to share its knowledge with our European partners on these issues. Since the launch of cross-strait exchanges in the 1980s, Taiwan has built up over 40 years of experience finding a balance that allows for economic ties with China while maintaining our security and autonomy. We are also well-versed in dealing with China’s disinformation, cyberattacks, and economic pressure. I look forward to seeing more interactions between Taiwan and the EU across the government, private sector, and civil society on these matters.
（呼籲各國強化與我關係）
Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and work closely with like-minded partners to build a strong front for democracy, secure global supply chains, ensure regional stability, and promote prosperity. We appreciate the support of our European friends and our partners around the world. Taiwan is willing to shoulder our share of the burden. We should neither underestimate nor yield to pressure from China. We urge the international community to deepen ties with Taiwan on all levels. Supporting Taiwan means supporting global democracy.
（民主陣營捍衛共享價值）
While extraordinary challenges remain, I am optimistic that democracies will continue to work together to safeguard our shared values and institutions and serve the interests of humanity as a whole. Our faith in democracy and freedom has never been stronger.
（結語）
I wish you all a successful and fruitful conference. Thank you very much for your attention. I will be glad to answer your questions.