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On the afternoon of June 26, President Tsai Ing-wen met with experts, scholars, and think-tank representatives from around the world attending an international conference marking the 15th anniversary of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). The president said that Taiwan looks forward to a closer cooperative relationship with international democratic advocacy groups and individuals, so that we can all enjoy more of the fruits of democracy in the future.
In remarks, President Tsai mentioned that she attended the TFD's 15th anniversary international conference with her visitors yesterday, and was delighted to receive them at the Presidential Office for further exchanges.
In addition to being involved in the discussion panels at TFD's 15th anniversary international conference, the president said, her visitors also participated in the Fifth East Asia Democracy Forum during this trip. She went on to say she was sure that through those two events, they have seen the vitality and passion of Taiwan's civil society.
President Tsai pointed out that the Taiwanese people's achievements in the pursuit of democracy are well known, and widely acclaimed. Last year, Reporters Without Borders set up its first Asia bureau in Taipei. And at the beginning of this year, Freedom House's Freedom in the World report once again identified Taiwan as a "free country," and our aggregate score continued to rise. These are the best tributes to Taiwan's democracy, she said.
Over the past two years, the president mentioned, our actions have shown that democracy in Taiwan can only advance, and will never retreat. Transitional justice is the "last mile" of Taiwan's democratization, she said, and last month, our Transitional Justice Commission began operations, which was a big step forward.
President Tsai stated that her visitors are an important force for deepening democracy. She then said she was delighted that they could join us to celebrate the TFD's 15th anniversary, and give us their observations and suggestions so we can defy democracy's decline, safeguard freedom of speech, and fight against fake news. These interactions and exchanges, she said, have not only made this 15th anniversary even more meaningful, but also helped us create more opportunities for future cooperation.
The president then offered special thanks to her visitors for their long-term support for Taiwan. In Taiwan's democratic development and in the global arena, she said, our many international partners, like the members of the delegation, have actively shared experiences, and deepened our relationships, so that we can all keep moving toward our common goals.
In closing, President Tsai once again welcomed the visitors to Taiwan to join us in the quest for democratic development. She also said she looks forward to a closer cooperative relationship with them, and with other democratic advocacy groups and individuals, so that we can all enjoy more fruits of democracy in the future.
