Berlin: Former President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized the need for democracies to unite against authoritarian threats during her speech in Berlin on Monday. She highlighted Taiwan’s efforts to enhance resilience amid increasing challenges from China.

According to Focus Taiwan, Tsai delivered her keynote address at the inaugural Berlin Freedom Conference, where she pointed out the shared challenges faced by Taiwan and Europe from authoritarian regimes. These regimes employ tactics such as disinformation campaigns and media infiltration to undermine elections and erode public trust in governments. Tsai also mentioned Russia’s actions, including airspace violations over European countries and disruptions to public infrastructure.

Tsai stressed that as the rules of engagement have evolved, so must collective strategies to build resilience against authoritarian challenges. She noted that during her tenure as president from 2016 to 2024, Taiwan’s defense budget increased by over 80 percent. Her successor, President La
i Ching-te, continues to boost spending in accordance with Taiwan’s defense requirements, focusing on both traditional systems and capabilities for asymmetric warfare.

Drawing inspiration from Europe’s experiences, Taiwan has established an All-out Defense Mobilization Agency to reform reserve force training and enhance societal defense resilience. Additionally, Taiwan has bolstered its digital infrastructure to combat cyber threats and foreign information manipulation, while its semiconductor production plays a vital role in maintaining global supply chain stability.

Tsai emphasized that Taiwan’s defensive efforts extend beyond its borders, contributing to regional stability and the global security of democracy. She urged democracies to unite in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, suggesting that supporting Taiwan’s security acts as a deterrent against authoritarian expansion.

Gathering political, civil society, and business leaders worldwide, the Berlin Freedom Conference is a key e
vent of Berlin Freedom Week, which runs from November 8 to November 15. Established to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Berlin Freedom Week promotes freedom and democracy through various events, including conferences, film screenings, and guided tours, as noted on the event’s website.