Press Release

Legislative Yuan

October 25, 2022

Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun accompanies Deputy Chair of the Lithuanian Seimas Committee on European Affairs Žygimantas Pavilionis to attend photographic exhibitions

You Si-kun: We are determined to defend freedom and democracy and ensure international justice

Legislative President You Si-kun accompanied Deputy Chair Žygimantas Pavilionis of the Lithuanian Seimas Committee on European Affairs to the National Center of Photography and Images for the exhibitions “Uncoverings: The Search for Identity from Lithuanian Photographs” and “Covered Reality: Archival Orientation and Identity in Taiwanese Contemporary Photography Archives” on the afternoon of October 26. The “Uncoverings” exhibition runs from September 8 to November 13 at Rooms 201-203 of the Exhibition Hall. Deputy Chair Pavilionis expressed gratitude for President You’s invitation. He stated that Antanas Sutkus, one of the photographers whose work is exhibited, is considered to be among Lithuania’s best. When he served as the ambassador of Lithuania to the United States, Deputy Chair Pavilionis also organized an exhibition of Mr. Sutkus’s photography. “Uncoverings” includes works by 21 Lithuanian photographers considering the issues of identity and transformation after war through images. President You encouraged the public to make the most of the opportunity and attend the exhibition.

During a post-tour press conference, President You extended a warm welcome to Deputy Chair Pavilionis for visiting Taiwan to participate in the General Assembly of the 11th Global Movement for Democracy. He shared how pleased he was to have received the deputy chair at the Legislative Yuan on October 25 and that it was a pleasure to accompany him to the photography exhibition. The works on display are on loan from the Lithuanian National Art Gallery, and thus the exhibition symbolizes a milestone in bilateral cultural exchanges, which he felt was significant.

President You went on to say that in July, he led a cross-party legislative delegation to Lithuania. Deputy Chair Pavilionis spent two days with the delegation on visits to Constitution Hall in the Lithuanian Parliament, the Taiwan Forum, a dinner with the Lithuanian parliament’s Taiwan Caucus, the National Art Gallery, Vilnius University, Vilnius TV Tower, and the starting point of the Baltic Way Movement, which constituted for a truly warm welcome by Deputy Chair Pavilionis.

Since the announcement that the Taiwanese Representative Office would be established in Lithuania last year, Lithuania was subjected to intimidation by China, which downgraded diplomatic ties and attempted economic coercion. However, Lithuania demonstrated backbone and courage in defending democracy and showed the world its strong founding spirit of not caving in to the demands of strong powers. President You said he had a strong desire to attend this photography exhibition, noting that photography is inspirational in a way that transcends that transmitted by words alone. The exhibition aims to salute the Ukrainian people’s fight for freedom. On behalf of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, President You expressed respect to the Lithuanian National Art Gallery and to the organizer.

President You continued by sharing that he was quite moved by the photographs, which express the courage of the Lithuanian people in pursuing freedom and democracy, and were taken when Lithuania was subject to the Soviet Union. Taiwan also spent a century pursuing democracy. Lithuania and Taiwan both experienced centuries of colonial rule, and many in both countries sacrificed themselves in the fight for the democracy and freedom we enjoy today. President You said he believes that Taiwan and Lithuania are proactive in standing up to bullies. Only when the global community of democracies is connected can it firmly demonstrate to authoritarian regimes a will to defend freedom and democracy and pursue international justice. Democracy, freedom, and human rights are a shared language, he said, closing by expressing hope that two countries would enjoy even closer friendship as they jointly work for global democracy and peace.

Deputy Chair Pavilionis responded by stating that one of the themes of the exhibition was occupation and freedom. Lithuania was once a major European power like France or Spain. Unfortunately, this advanced, free empire could not stand up to neighboring Germany and the Soviet Union, which together undermined the achievements Lithuania made from the 13th to the 18th century. Lithuanian colleges, churches, and languages were all persecuted.

Deputy Chair Pavilionis further pointed out that Lithuania was formerly under communism and shared a similar history with Taiwan. Both countries continue to fight for freedom and need to be prepared to confront communism. All countries should be ready to protect freedom. Currently, Lithuania’s military spending in NATO accounts for 2.6% of its GDP, a number that may increase to 3%.

The deputy chair recalled that when he was around 20, he watched as a Soviet tank killed his friend near Vilnius TV Tower. Meanwhile, in China, a student stopped a tank in Tiananmen Square. Yet today, communism is threatening Ukraine. All of these instances are reminders to be ever vigilant. Both Taiwan and Lithuania defend freedom and democracy and render each other support. In the future, the two countries should continue to promote cooperation.

Deputy Chair Pavilionis concluded his remarks by conveying greetings from Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen to President You and a hope that the Speaker could visit Taiwan as soon as possible.