TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan marked a historic first by hosting a commemorative tea gathering at the Taipei Guest House (台北賓館) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on Thursday (May 8). The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), saw attendance from President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and diplomats from 17 European nations.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Wu (吳志中) addressed attendees in Mandarin, English, and French, highlighting Europe's post-World War II reconstruction as a model for democratic societies worldwide. He emphasized how Europe's reconciliation and innovative institutions, developed in collaboration with the United States, reshaped the international order, with the European Union standing as a testament to unity.
Wu underscored that Taiwan shares core values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law with Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Australia. In light of recent geopolitical tensions and authoritarian expansion, he called for closer cooperation to maintain the international order that has supported global stability.
Ruth Bradley-Jones (包瓊郁), representative at the British Office Taipei, paid tribute to those who sacrificed for peace, emphasizing the preciousness of democratic freedoms. She called for the continued protection of these shared values for both past and future generations.
Lutz Güllner (谷力哲), head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, acknowledged the varying emotions Europeans hold toward May 8, 1945, due to diverse historical experiences. He stressed the importance of remembering history to prevent future tragedies and combat historical distortions and revisionism that threaten democratic foundations.
