Taiwan thanks countries for support at UN

UNITY: Lai thanked the nations who spoke up for Taiwan, saying that democracies must stand together to face global authoritarian expansion

Taiwan yesterday thanked eight European and Indo-Pacific countries for opposing unilateral changes to the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait in a joint statement earlier this week, as well as three of Taiwan’s allies for speaking up for the nation’s participation in the UN at the body’s General Assembly in New York.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) welcomed the support and expressed his appreciation for the countries’ stance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Foreign ministers and senior representatives of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea and the UK issued a statement on Tuesday after meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Eswatini King Mswati III speaks during the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Photo: AFP

“We emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. We encourage dialogue and oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” the representatives said.

The ministry said it welcomed the continued attention from the international community and like-minded partners to maintaining peace, stability and the “status quo.”

In the face of growing geopolitical and regional challenges, Taiwan would bolster its self-defense and societal resilience, while deepening cooperation with democratic partners, it said.

Three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — Paraguay, the Kingdom of Eswatini and Palau — on Wednesday pushed for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN when their leaders addressed the General Assembly.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East was already troubling, but there could be an even more serious crisis in Taiwan, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena said in his speech.

“If oil was the fuel of the 20th century, chips are the fuel of the 21st,” he said. “What is at stake in this potential conflict is significant: the very future of humanity.”

Taiwan’s exclusion is “a stain on the United Nations,” Pena said, reaffirming Paraguay’s support for the full and meaningful participation of Taiwan in the UN and its specialized agencies.

Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr said that his country chooses its partners “based on shared values of democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order.”

Those principles “underpin our friendship with Taiwan, a trusted partner that can contribute even more fully if given space to do so,” he said.

“We stand with like-minded partners in calling for the reversal of misinterpretations of rules and procedures that have constrained Taiwan’s meaningful participation in this body,” he added.

King Mswati III also expressed Eswatini’s support for Taiwan, which he said plays a vital role in global supply chains.

Taiwan “has much to contribute to the international community and can play a highly meaningful role in building a sustainable future for humanity,” he said.

President William Lai (賴清德) thanked the representatives in a Facebook post, writing that democratic unity is the only answer to global authoritarian expansion.

As a key link in global democratic and supply chains, Taiwan is keenly aware of its responsibilities, Lai said.

“We are not only on the front line of safeguarding freedom and democracy, but also a mature, responsible and trustworthy force for good in the international community,” he added.