Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen tells a forum in Prague that democracies must unite in the face of authoritarianism. She also met with Czech President Petr Pavel during the event.
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00:00Former President Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Czech President Petr Pavel.
00:04It's a significant gesture, as China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and tries
00:08to block Taipei's officials, including those no longer in office, from attending international
00:12events like this.
00:14But this annual pro-democracy event, the 2000 Forum in Prague, isn't the sort of place where
00:18Chinese representatives are likely to appear.
00:21That's especially true given this year's host, as Czech President Petr Pavel has taken a
00:25hawkish stance towards both China and its strategic partner, Russia.
00:29In his remarks at the Forum's opening, he even named China, though in conciliatory terms.
00:34I consistently urge major global powers, and especially China, to use their influence to
00:41promote peace and international cooperation.
00:44This means not backing Russia's violent campaign, but also showing restraint in Taiwan's trade
00:51and addressing human rights violations at home.
00:54Former President Tsai is here to speak on the conference's theme of proving democracy's
00:58resolve and resilience, and on Taiwan's commitment to democracy despite decades of Chinese threats.
01:03Taiwan stands on the front lines of the assault.
01:08The most recent action taken is China's announcement earlier today for a military exercise called
01:16Joint Assault 2024B.
01:20For more than half a century, Taiwan has faced constant intimidation from the Chinese Communist
01:26regime, which has tried every possible way to annex Taiwan.
01:32But Tsai said the world's democracies need to have each other's backs in the face of
01:36authoritarianism.
01:37Unity and cooperation among democracies became most essential.
01:44Democracies need to send the signal that intimidation and use of force against any member will result
01:53in serious consequences.
01:56But not all European countries are quite as willing to test China's patience as the Czech
02:00Republic.
02:01Tsai's tour of the continent will also include a stop in France.
02:04But a visit to London is off the table, after the UK Foreign Office asked Parliament to
02:08delay an invitation, hoping to avoid disrupting an upcoming goodwill visit by the foreign
02:12minister to Beijing.
02:14Meaning, the higher-level reception she had in Prague may remain an exception.
02:19Klein Wong and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.