In light of the devastating earthquake that hit Taiwan on April 3, Taiwan is extremely grateful for the warm messages it has received and the strong support from the international community.
In Taiwan, more than 100 foreign nationals who were trapped in the mountainous region were rescued. Taiwan has received donations from several countries, including Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Lithuania. The Turkish government has sent a rescue team to Taiwan, returning the attention it received through humanitarian aid during the earthquake that hit the Republic of Turkey last year.
A true friend is known in trouble. Taiwan is no stranger to helping out around the world. During the covid pandemic, Taiwan donated surgical masks and other medical supplies to various medical institutions in Hungary. After the war in Ukraine broke out, Taiwan joined with neighboring countries in providing support to Ukrainian refugees. Taiwan is grateful and happy to see the cycle of charity continue as humanity often trumps politics during natural disasters.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with maritime tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, show that both Taiwan and the rest of the world face challenges related to authoritarian threats, regional security, economic uncertainty and the influence of big players. It is precisely in these difficult times that Taiwan's values stand out.
Above all, Taiwan is a successful democracy that shares the same values with its like-minded allies. The presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13 this year marked the eighth direct election of the country's national leaders, and a peaceful transition of power during the inauguration is expected in May.
Taiwan's democracy is well recognized and promoted by the international community. According to the London-based "Economist Intelligence Unit", Taiwan has been rated first in Asia and tenth in the world according to the Democracy Index in 2023, which has been repeated for two years in a row. Taiwan's democracy is seen as a beacon for people still living under dictatorship and authoritarian regimes.
Second, Taiwan's key role in global semiconductor supply chains is crucial to the global economy. Taiwan produces most of the most advanced chips in the world, with TSMC leading the way, but also many other firms. The irreplaceable industry makes Taiwan an extremely important player in the global market, and all market participants are interested in Taiwan's stability. Most importantly, Taiwan is a loyal supporter and reliable partner of global free trade.
Third, the Taiwan Strait is essential for international trade and maritime traffic. However, the tension between democracy and autocracy is also at the forefront. Taiwan's security is in the interest of the whole world. European leaders from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Great Britain, France and Germany, together with the G7, the Council of Europe, NATO and AUKUS, emphasized the importance of peace and stability along the Taiwan Strait.
When it comes to international support, Taiwan has received bipartisan support from the United States of America, which will likely not be in question even after the upcoming US presidential election. Recent meetings between the leaders of the US, Japan, the Philippines and Great Britain called for joint efforts to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Numerous joint military exercises by the US and its security allies the Philippines, Japan, Korea and Australia also show international concern over tensions in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Taiwan President William Lai, Vice President-elect Bi-Khim Hsiao and their new team have won the trust and support of the US, Japan and the EU on issues such as preserving freedom of international maritime traffic and opposing any unilateral changes status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
The Republic of China, Taiwan is a sovereign state with its own democratically elected government, military, population, territory and ability to connect with the international community. It has never been under the rule of the People's Republic of China (PRC), not for a single day. It is status quo which we want to maintain, because we value the freedom and democracy we enjoy after years of struggle against authoritarianism.
Based on such pragmatism, EU members can engage with Taiwan in a pragmatic way with mutually beneficial results. Taiwanese firms have become valuable partners to European counterparts to strengthen industrial resilience and avoid over-dependence on global supply chains. The latest example is TSMC's new manufacturing base in Dresden, Germany.
In Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland cooperate with Taiwan. The countries of the Balkans are full of potential when it comes to young and talented workforce and strategic locations. More and more Taiwanese companies are interested in exploring the Balkan market, especially in the fields of information technology, innovation, smart cities and green energy.
Taiwan has no intention of competing politically with others in the Balkans. On the contrary, Taiwan wants to offer its successful, transparent and democratic experiences to potential partners in the region, including Montenegro. Taiwan is a very reliable and credible partner.
The author is a non-resident representative of Taiwan in Montenegro
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