Taiwan has stood up against authoritarianism and continues to promote freedom and human rights, Taiwan's Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang (??) said at a U.S.-led democracy forum Friday.

In a pre-recorded statement, Tang highlighted Taiwan's democratization and its vibrant society featuring youth activism and civic participation in public affairs.

"Although Taiwan is a young democracy, it's standing firm on the front lines of the global struggle with authoritarianism," Tang said, describing Taiwan as playing "a leading role in advancing freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide."

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has adopted measures such as the mask distribution system and contact tracing system, both of which were developed with the help of civil society groups, Tang said.

"This people-public-private partnership is a model we're proud to share."

Tang also noted Taiwan's support for media freedoms, saying that the government continues to support the stationing of international journalists and NGOs in Taiwan.

Over the last two years, Taiwan has accredited more than 50 foreign journalists, including correspondents of U.S.-based media organizations who were expelled by Beijing last year, Tang said.

She was referring to the tat-for-tat measures between the U.S. and China beginning in March 2020.

When the U.S. government designated Chinese state media outlets operating in the U.S. as "foreign missions" and capped the number of Chinese journalists working for them, Beijing expelled at least 18 foreign correspondents from U.S.-based media organizations operating in China, according to Foreign Correspondents Club of China figures.

The U.S.-based NGOs, notably the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, also established their presence in Taiwan earlier this year, Tang said.

Tang's pre-recorded statement was streamed on the second day of the Summit for Democracy during a session in which leaders of the Philippines, India, and Nepal also made remarks.

Taiwan is among 110 delegations invited to the summit, which is being held virtually from Dec. 9-10 by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel