The government is committed to safeguarding Taiwan’s freedom and democracy by enhancing asymmetrical defense capabilities and strengthening civil-military cooperation, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
Despite the increasing threat from China, Taiwan is willing to share its experience in counteracting authoritarianism with Lithuania and the rest of the world, Wu said.
As a force for good, the country is also actively contributing to the global fight against COVID-19 by donating essential medical supplies and sharing its disease-management know-how, the minister added.
Wu made the remarks during a joint interview via video link with journalists from Lithuania-based media outlets LRT, ELTA, LNK, DELFI and 15min during their visit to Taiwan late last month. Reports on the interview have since been published by the five outlets.
According to the minister, Taiwan and Lithuania both stand on the front line of authoritarian expansion and are bound by their shared belief in freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.
Citing a tweet in which Lithuania Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote that “freedom-loving people should look out for each other,” Wu said the two sides have been working closely to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, economy, trade, and science and technology for the benefit of the people on both sides.
Wu said Taiwan is deeply inspired by the Ukrainian people’s courage and determination in the face of Russia’s invasion, adding that the government is fully committed to enhancing the country’s self-defense abilities while seeking support from the U.S. and other security partners.
To show its determination to stand with Ukraine, Wu said the government has organized donations of US$33 million and 580 tons of humanitarian supplies to help those displaced by the war in neighboring countries like Poland and Slovakia.
The minister also personally called Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk, and His Beatitude Epiphanius I, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine to express solidarity and support on behalf of the government and people.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “#Taiwan & #Lithuania’s natural partnership & defense of the democratic world’s values on the front lines of authoritarianism dominated discussions during Minister Wu’s interview with @LRTenglish, ELTA, LNK, Delfi & 15min. Gratitude to our media friends for the great dialogue!” (SFC-E)
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