Source: February 21, 2025 Taiwan Today
President Lai Ching-te called for solidarity among democracies Feb. 20 and said that Taiwan is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability as well as working with partners to form a global alliance for the artificial intelligence chip industry.
Lai made the remarks when opening the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. Taiwan has been invited to participate in the annual Halifax International Security Forum since 2018, and this year Halifax has chosen the country as the first location outside North America to hold the event, according to the Presidential Office.
Taiwan will stand firm and safeguard its national sovereignty to maintain the people’s free and democratic way of life, Lai said. He also took the opportunity to thank the international community for attaching importance to what happens in the Taiwan Strait.
The president further called on the global community to take action, saying that democracies must come closer in solidarity as authoritarianism consolidates. He cited talks recently held by top U.S., Japan and South Korea diplomats emphasizing the importance of the cross-strait issue, adding that Taiwan will also make further contributions to global and its own security.
Lai went on to list some of the measures including prioritizing special budget allocations to ensure the country’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP and establishing the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. The country will also deepen its strategic partnerships with other democracies to mutually increase defense resilience and demonstrate deterrence, he added.
The democratic community must have strong technological capabilities and create non-red global supply chains to deter authoritarian expansion, Lai said. Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for the global democratic community to form an international alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips, he noted, adding that the country can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of its democratic partners.
The president also urged democracies to unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily while posing threats to regional peace and stability, he said, adding that Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue with China under the principles of parity and dignity.
Lai concluded by stressing that democracy and freedom bring resilience, justice, partnerships and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era, he added.
President Lai Ching-te addresses participants during the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum Feb. 20 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of PO)
