Former President Tsai speaks at Berlin Freedom Conference
前總統蔡英文在柏林自由會議上發表演說
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) addressed the Berlin Freedom Conference on Monday, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships and global supply chain security.
Tsai said Taiwan’s semiconductor sector has become an indispensable part of the global economy. In an era in where artificial intelligence defines national power, she said Taiwan’s chip industry serves as a cornerstone of global prosperity, per UDN. She warned, however, that Taiwan now faces its “most severe threat to democracy” despite decades of democratic progress. Similar pressures are affecting democratic systems worldwide, she said. “Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine served as a wake-up call to all, and Europe has awoken to the extent of this threat, which, after more than three years of war, continues to grow. Russia has been attempting to test the boundaries of more European countries with incursions into their airspace and disruptions to critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables.” Tsai said authoritarian actors exploit the openness of democratic societies to interfere in elections, sow division, and undermine trust in government. She urged democratic nations to strengthen connections and ensure security and prosperity. “In Taiwan, we know what resilience looks like. We understand all too well the danger posed by those who seek to exploit democracy's imperfections. Now, we are experiencing much-intensified threats and intimidation almost on a daily basis.” Tsai said Taiwan has safeguarded elections, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and countered information manipulation. Resilience spans all levels of society, she added, from the individual to the military and economy. She highlighted Taiwan’s increased defense investment during her 2016–2024 tenure, noting the budget grew by more than 80%, averaging nearly 8% annually, the largest and most systematic defense buildup in Taiwan’s history. She said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has continued to increase spending based on security needs. “In addition to investments in traditional platforms such as combat aircraft, Taiwan has made substantial investments in asymmetric capabilities like mobile land-based anti-ship cruise missiles. Taiwan has also invested in the resilience and security of our critical infrastructure.” Tsai said Taiwan is bolstering digital infrastructure to defend against cyberthreats and cooperating with civil society to counter information manipulation. As technology advances, Taiwan is enhancing its ability to counter external cognitive warfare. “The efforts we have made are more than defending our homeland; they also represent Taiwan's contribution to regional stability and the security of democracy globally.” |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2025-11-11 |
