President Tsai Ing-wen says that Taiwan is not looking for military conflict, but will do all it can to defend its freedom and democracy.
That came during an address Tsai gave Friday at the opening of this year’s Yushan Forum. The annual forum, now in its fifth year, gathers leaders and experts from various countries in order to spur the exchange of ideas and foster regional cooperation.
During her remarks, Tsai pointed to the success of her administration’s New Southbound Policy. This policy, launched in 2016, has built closer ties between Taiwan and its neighbors to the south—that is, the countries of South and Southeast Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Tsai said that since the policy's launch, Taiwan has signed over 80 agreements and memoranda of understanding with target countries.
Tsai also said that now, at a time when international cooperation is more important than ever, Taiwan is willing to work together with international partners in areas such as biotechnology and semiconductors. She also pointed to cooperation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that Taiwan has donated medical supplies to other countries, while other countries have in turn donated COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan.
Turning to issues of security, Tsai repeated her administration’s line that Taiwan does not seek out conflict with its neighbors and will continue working with partners to prevent conflict in the surrounding region. However, she said that Taiwan will do its utmost to uphold its people’s free way of life.