Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen: The Democracy We Enjoy Today Is Hardly Obtained

Presiden Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen. (Wikimedia Commons/Presidential Palace)

JAKARTA - Taiwan and Europe must work together to defend and fight authoritarianism and disinformation, President Tsai Ing-wen told visiting lawmakers from the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia on Monday.

Lithuania has faced ongoing pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, since allowing the de facto opening of a Taiwanese embassy in its capital.

Meanwhile, Beijing has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei to accept China's sovereignty claims and limit its international participation, although President Tsai said Taiwan would not bow to threats and would defend its freedoms and democracy.

President Tsai Ing-wen told lawmakers in the Presidential Office, Taiwan and the Baltic states, which were once part of the Soviet Union, shared similar experiences in breaking free from authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom.

"The democracy we enjoy today is hard-earned. This is something we understand most deeply," she said.

"Now the world is facing the challenges posed by the expansion of authoritarianism and the threat of disinformation. Taiwan is more than willing to share its experience in fighting disinformation with its European friends. We must safeguard our shared values to ensure our free and democratic way of life," President Tsai continued.

Meanwhile, Matas Maldeikis, leader of the Lithuanian parliament's Taiwan Friendship Group, told President Tsai that in response the group was in Taipei to express their solidarity with the island.

"The policy of the Lithuanian government towards Taiwan has wide support in our society. Preserving freedom and rules-based international order is of vital interest to Taiwan and Lithuania," she said.

There are many opportunities for economic and cultural cooperation, added Maldeikis, whose trip was condemned by China.

To note, none of the EU member states have official relations with Taiwan. Meanwhile, the United States strongly supports its NATO ally, Lithuania, in its dispute with China.

In addition, Lithuania also faces problems with pressure from Russia and Belarus, with migrants on its border with Belarus.