YOU Si-kun: Democratic allies need to support each other and stop further authoritarian expansion.
Accompanied by Legislators Liu Shyh-fang, Hsieh Yi-fong, Chiu Chen-yuan and Chen Jiau-hua, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs of the Legislative Yuan, Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Chun Lee, Director General Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao, Representative Paulius Lukauskas of the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office, Ambassador Eric Huang of Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, President You held press conference at Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel at 5:30 p.m. on October 23, 2023 to welcome Seimas Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and her delegation. The delegation members included Vice Minister of Finance Vaida Markevičienė, Head of the Secretariat of the Speaker of the Seimas Lukas Kornelijus Vaiciakas, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the Seimas Ambassador Rolandas Kačinskas, Director Vilma Mačerauskienė of Financial Markets Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance, Chief Business Development Officer Lukas Jakubonis of the Bank of Luthania, Ms. Snieguolė Žiūkaitė, Head of the International Relations Unit, Deputizing for the Head of Protocol Unit of the Seimas.
In his remarks, Taiwan is going to have President You stated that the presidential and legislative elections in 80 plus more days. The three political parties here had their own presidential candidates. As the election continued to become competitive, their representatives were all here, demonstrating their attachment of great importance to the visit of Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen and her delegation. As the president of the Legislative Yuan, he was pleased to meet Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and distinguished members of the delegation once again. On behalf of the Legislative Yuan, he wanted to express his sincere welcome to them.
President You recalled in July last year, he led a cross-party parliamentary delegation to Lithuania and was warmly welcomed by Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen and other parliamentarians. The visit still has a fond place in his heart. At that time, he invited Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen to Taiwan. She accepted his invitation and 15 months later, here she is. So he was overjoyed to see her today.
President You continued to state that the Republic of Lithuania is one of Taiwan’s most important allies in Europe. During his visit last year, he was impressed by the level of courtesy and attention that the delegation received from the Seimas. They were escorted by security officers and police vehicles and the Seimas opened its doors to welcome them without any security checks. These high-level privileges are equivalent to treatment for diplomatic allies. Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen hosted a dinner to welcome them and waited at the entrance of the banquet hall. And they were interviewed by the press. They were all touched by these arrangements.
President You continued to say that over the past year, relations between Taiwan and Lithuania have entered a new chapter. In addition to intensive mutual visits of high-level officials and cooperative projects in all domains, bilateral trade has increased by 52 percent from the previous year. After the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania was established in 2021, the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office opened in Taiwan in November 2022. Bilateral educational exchanges have also thrived. The number of Lithuanian students studying in Taiwan’s colleges has doubled. Today’s visit to Taiwan by Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen is the first by a Seimas speaker. It is significant to see our substantive friendship continue to deepen.
President You continued to point out that Lithuania is a democratic giant in Eastern Europe. Its exceptional achievements lead the region and even the world. In the last century, Lithuania opposed the former Soviet Union to pursue independence and freedom. In this century, it has defended democracy and fought against economic infiltration by withdrawing from the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (17+1 mechanism) in 2021, marking a major setback for the Belt and Road initiatives. Lithuania’s moral courage is truly admirable. In recent years, Lithuania has stood with Taiwan and Ukraine based on its firm belief in democracy and human rights and has not been swayed by coercion or threats from big powers. The boldness, determination, and courage of the people of Lithuania are like a beacon in a shadowy world to guide democratic allies toward the right path.
President You concluded his remarks by stating that Lithuania is also a faithful defender of democracy. I respect its fearless spirit in confronting autocracy. Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen is a practitioner of the values of democracy. She once stated that it is the right decision to develop cordial relations with Taiwan and not bow to authoritarian pressure. Her visit demonstrated that free and democratic allies should support each other. On behalf of Taiwan’s congress, President You wanted to express his respect for her exceptional wisdom, perseverance, and determination. he sincerely welcome her to Taiwan.
In her remarks, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen expressed her honor to be in Taiwan and thanked Taiwan’s congress for its warm welcome. Lithuania cherishes its cordial relations with Taiwan, because they are like-minded partners based on the solid foundation of democracy, freedom and human rights. When these values are threatened by authoritarian regimes, like-minded countries should work with each other. Over the past few years, Lithuania and Taiwan made tremendous progress in the areas of economics and trade, high-tech and FinTech. There were business delegation members during this visit. She hoped to see further economic and trade cooperation to show other countries that democratic ally cooperation will succeed, so that they can follow our footsteps.
Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen pointed out that she was often asked how could Lithuania and Taiwan cooperation with the geographical distance? She said they key is that because both share same values and belief in democracy. Russian aggression in Ukraine continues. Lithuania and Taiwan support Ukraine by rebuilding schools and kindergartens. She was pleased to see that these cooperative projects were near completion to let the world see the best example of mutual support of democratic allies. At this critical moment, the rules-based international order faces severe threats or crisis, parliamentary leaders cannot just focus on domestic affairs but on international democratic cooperation. She once again thanked all for the warm hospitality whenever they went. She believed this visit marked a milestone for fostering bilateral relations.
Asked by the press after Russian-Ukraine war last year and the war in Israel, it is widely regarded that Taiwan Straut and the Korean Peninsula will be the possible hotspots in the future? What kind of concrete actions does the international community need to do to effectively deter China, North Korea or other countries from waging a war?
Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen responded that Russia did not just invade a sovereign country but disrupt a rules-based international order. Global democracies should be more resilient to seek active cooperation. International democratic allies should continue to increase their assistance to Ukraine to strengthen resilience to face possible future challenges.
President You agreed with Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen’s insight. He stated that the 2023 World Freedom Report published by US Freedom House showed that the global democracy had been backsliding for 17 years. Hong Kong’s extradition bill, Afghanistan Taliban regime, Myanmar’s junta government, Russian aggression against Ukraine and Israel-Hamas military conflict showed that global democratic landscape had shrunk. The report also pointed out that the freedom of more than 60 countries is restricted, while many authoritarian regimes continued to increase. US President Biden also reminded the world that China indeed has the ambition to replace the US. Therefore, democracies should maintain high alert as Russian invaded Ukraine to strengthen cooperation to safeguard democracy.
In addition, the press asked there are business leaders in the delegation. Could you talk about the goals for economic cooperation of this visit? It is reported that your visit will lead to China’s increasing pressure on Lithuania. What is your view on that?
She responded that she led a trade delegation to Taiwan. She was going to address in the 2023 Taipei FinTech Forum. Taiwana and Lithuania had had concrete cooperative results. She hoped this visit would open more doors of cooperation, including high-tech and economic and trade. As for China’s pressure, she believed that this visit focused on economic and trade, and humanitarian cooperation. She did know why any country wanted to exert pressure on Lithuania.
After the press conference, President You hosted a dinner banquet to welcome the delegation. In addition to the distinguished guests participating in the press conference, National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin and businesspeople that have economic and trade relations with Lithuania were also present. In his remarks, President You extended his welcome to delegation once again. He stated that during the pandemic in 2021, Lithuania was undaunted by China’s intimidation and came to the aid of Taiwan by sharing 260,000 vaccine doses with us, making it the third country to do so after the US and Japan. He was so touched that he made the poem of “Reflections on Vaccine Donations from Lithuania”. He sang “While population of Lithuania is just one eighth of Taiwanese population, and the geographical distance between the two is vast, Lithuania steadfastly held its position against all odds, never under the sway of any of China’s assertive actions. We shall honor its resolve, which is no less that of stats such as the United States or Japan.” After President You’s singing, he received a warm round of applause. Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen was so touched that she took the floor again to show her thanks.
President You respected Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen’s active defense of the genuine friendship and shared values between Taiwan and Lithuania. He said that the people of Taiwan would always remember that. He continued to state that Lithuania’s defense of the core values of democracy and freedom was very similar to that of Taiwan. Like Lithuania, Taiwan has also experienced colonial rule and authoritarian repression over the past century during its struggle for democracy, freedom and human rights. Countless Taiwanese people sacrificed their lives and liberty.. With the unceasing efforts of Taiwan’s forebears to strive for democracy and freedom, Taiwan finally has a democratic congress, has experienced three peaceful transitions of political power, and has become a beacon of democracy for Asia and the world.
President You pointed out that global democracy faces daunting challenges. After the Putin-Xi meeting on March 23, the leaders reached a consensus on “the deal of the century.” Their intention to change the existing world order is clear. The democracy we take for granted is fragile. He underscored that Taiwan has long been on the front line of resisting authoritarian expansion and intimidation. Upholding the security of the Taiwan Strait is to protect democracy and freedom from autocracy and defend global interests. At this crucial moment, democratic allies need to support each other and stop further authoritarian expansion.
President You stressed that Taiwan is capable and willing to make more contributions to the world. Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen’s visit showed that Taiwan is not alone. He stated we are fully confident that democracy will continue to flourish. Let us strive to defend the universal values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. In this way, we can continue to enjoy our democratic and free way of life.
During the dinner banquet, legislators from the four party caucuses extended their welcome to Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen’s and her delegation and wished the two countries everlasting relations. President You invited guests to propose a toast to democracy and to the previous friendship between Taiwan and Lithuania. The banquet concluded after two hours in an amicable atmosphere and after the mutual exchange of gifts. (E)
