Taiwanese Ambassador to Korea Liang Kuang-chung speaks throughout Taiwan’s 113th Nationwide Day reception in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Instances picture by Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Liang Kuang-chung, Taiwan’s ambassador to Korea, hosted the island nation’s 113th Nationwide Day reception with an handle emphasizing Taiwan’s dedication to democracy, peace and worldwide cooperation.
Reflecting on the current presidential and legislative elections, Liang highlighted the Taiwanese individuals’s dedication to democratic values.
“On Jan. 13 of this 12 months, the individuals of Taiwan voted for President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and the eleventh Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan),” he mentioned. “By means of stable actions, Taiwanese individuals have once more demonstrated nice satisfaction of their nation’s democracy, in addition to a agency adherence to democratic values and lifestyle.”
Liang emphasised Taiwan’s excessive rating within the 2023 Democracy Index printed by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
“The 2023 Democracy Index ranks Taiwan tenth on the planet and first in Asia. We perceive that democracy doesn’t come simply, having skilled a interval of authoritarian rule,” he mentioned.
“Lately, authoritarian nations have continued to make use of cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, disinformation and different methods to broaden digital authoritarianism and undermine democratic techniques,” he mentioned. “Taiwan has wealthy expertise in coping with hybrid warfare and gray-zone actions. We are going to proceed to deepen exchanges and cooperation with like-minded nations to collectively face these challenges.”
Liang underscored the significance of peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait for world safety and referred to as on like-minded nations together with Korea to specific sturdy opposition to any unilateral makes an attempt to alter the regional established order by drive. The envoy says Taiwan faces threats and infiltration from China and plans to implement a complete motion plan.
“We are going to actively implement the 4 Pillars of Peace motion plan: strengthened nationwide protection, improved financial safety, strengthened partnerships with democratic nations and steady and principled cross-strait management,” he mentioned. “Taiwan will endeavor to type a peaceable neighborhood with democratic nations that may reveal the power of deterrence to stop struggle and obtain our objective of peace by power.”
Liang highlighted Taiwan’s financial methods and objectives below the Lai administration which revolves round semiconductors and AI.
“President Lai Ching-te’s administration is taking a threefold strategy to additional Taiwan’s financial growth,” he mentioned. “We are going to promote Taiwan to change into an ‘AI island,’ develop our strengths as a marine nation and help our enterprises to broaden their world presence. We are going to proceed to interact actively in regional financial integration and signal bilateral financial and trade-related agreements with like-minded nations.”
Taiwan and Korea get pleasure from a strong commerce relationship, with substantial bilateral commerce and rising cooperation in numerous fields. Korea is Taiwan’s fifth-largest buying and selling accomplice, and Taiwan is Korea’s sixth-largest. Final 12 months, the full bilateral commerce quantity between Korea and Taiwan reached $46.6 billion.
“We sit up for dashing up the conclusion of the Bilateral Funding Settlement to deepen the bilateral commerce and funding partnership,” Liang mentioned.
“Exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Korea have grown steadily in numerous fields. Final 12 months, round 1.7 million Taiwanese and Koreans traveled to one another’s nations. We imagine the variety of guests might exceed 3 million within the close to future. I’m very glad that the individuals of Taiwan and Korea proceed to boost mutual understanding and friendship by constructive two-way interactions.”
