In an interview with Denmark’s Berlinske newspaper, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) urged democratic solidarity against authoritarian expansion. He stressed Denmark’s role as a democratic model and appealed for Taiwan’s free will to call themselves what they want as per the Foreign Ministry’s statement issued Thursday.
Wu’s remarks came as a response to Denmark’s recent decision to mark Taiwanese residency permits with “China” as the birthplace. He urged Denmark to respect the Taiwanese people’s free will and acknowledge that the two sides of the strait are not affiliated. Denmark is Wu’s first European visit as minister, and holds a special place in his heart.
Emphasizing the need for democratic unity, Wu cautioned against Denmark's decision potentially legitimizing China's aggressive stance towards Taiwan. He compared Taiwan's situation to Ukraine, pushing for European support against authoritarian threats. Wu says that labeling Taiwan as part of China has a profound impact on the international community.
During the interview, Wu also cited Martin Niemöller’s “First They Came” citing the need for vigilance against China's expansionist ambitions and the importance of not appeasing authoritarianism. The ambition of authoritarian expansion will not stop because of this, and appeasement will not bring peace.