Taiwan committed to democracy and freedom: President Tsai

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized on Tuesday (Nov. 7) Taiwan's unwavering commitment to protecting freedom, democracy, and maintaining regional peace and stability. 

Speaking at the 2023 Taipei Security Dialogue organized by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Tsai discussed the importance of strengthening self-defense capabilities and societal resilience, restoring compulsory military service to one year, and increasing the defense budget for the eighth consecutive year. 

For 2024, the defense budget is expected to increase by 7.7 percent, accounting for about 2.5 percent of Taiwan's GDP. The unveiling of Taiwan's first domestically produced submarine prototype in September is also a significant milestone in the country's defense capabilities. 

Tsai cited examples of Ukraine's resistance against Russian invasion and conflicts in the Middle East, emphasizing that "grey zone" activity, including maritime intimidation in the South China Sea and East China Sea, has a destabilizing effect on the Indo-Pacific region. 

Notable attendees at the event included Presidential Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, National Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, and Mainland Affairs Council Chairperson Chiu Tai-san. Diplomats and experts representing numerous countries such as Germany, Canada, Poland, India, the U.S., the U.K., France, the Czech Republic, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Turkey were also present. 

The event focused on key issues, including China's challenge to the global order and democracy, the impact of the Ukrainian-Russian war on international relations, and China's expanding global influence.

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