About

The Republic of China was the first country in Asia to achieve democracy. As such, elective government and respect for human rights have long been pillars of the nation, as well as cherished values of its people. In 2016, Taiwan witnessed three important milestones in its democratic development: the third change of governing party since the start of direct presidential elections, the first change of majority party in the Legislative Yuan, and the first election of a female president.

The economic progress and democratic transformation of Taiwan have produced a thriving civil society, with various NGOs actively participating in international events. The TFD has played a prominent role in the nation’s democratization. Since its establishment in 2003, the TFD has hosted and taken part in many seminars and international meetings and conferences on democracy and human rights. It has thereby served as a platform for exchanges between Taiwan and other democracies and civic groups.

In my career in government, I have worked at the Office of the President, the Executive Yuan, and the Representative Office in the United States. I have personally witnessed Taiwan’s evolution from authoritarianism to democracy, and from a one-party system to a free society that embraces different viewpoints. In this peaceful process, the core values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law gained further traction, as well as better protection. Indeed, throughout my 30-plus years of public service, my proudest moments have been when foreign friends have given a thumbs-up to Taiwan’s accomplishments in advancing democracy and developing civil society.

In my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is a great honor to concurrently serve as Vice Chairman of the TFD. I trust that the TFD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work side by side to give the international community a better understanding of the Taiwan people’s pursuit of and commitment to freedom and democracy, and to encourage even more governments and peoples around the world to identify with and treasure these common values.

Democracy and human rights are humankind’s most cherished universal values. Although the road to democracy is often long and tortuous, we must have confidence in the development of democracy, and our longterm outlook must remain positive. In these turbulent times, authoritarian forces have found new ways to erode democracy and respect for human rights in many countries, but at the same time their rise has also awakened democratic forces around the world.

Asia is the region where the competition among values is the fiercest. All freedom-lovers in the region must come together and stand shoulder to shoulder to safeguard the universal values of democracy and human rights. Across Asia, the power of the people has emerged from a new generation of citizens, demonstrating that the people are unwilling to go backwards on democratization; in fact, even the most authoritarian regimes need the support of the people, for otherwise they would collapse. Moreover, the large-scale pandemic has caused turmoil in the world’s economy, society, and politics in recent years, and it has severely impacted the development of democracy and human rights across the globe. This experience has heightened awareness around the world about the resilience of democratic institutions and democracies’ capability to mobilize and unite the entire society to face adversity when necessary. Taiwan is the most shining example of this resilience.

Taiwan is one of the most advanced democratic countries in Asia, and it stands on the frontline of authoritarian China’s global assault on democracy, thus making the role of the Foundation even more important. We must continue to support our partners actively and openly and defend our common values together, especially on assisting the development of democracy in the Asian region. At this critical moment, it is my greatest honor to serve as the TFD’s President at Chairman You’s invitation. In the past two decades, I have presided over democratization research projects at Taiwan Thinktank, taken to the streets to demand “a nuclear-free homeland,” “congressional reform,” and “power to the people,” as well as walked over 1,000 kilometers in the streets all over Taiwan. Through this participation in Taiwan’s democratic movements and my direct interactions with fellow citizens, I have come to realize that Taiwan’s democracy has not come easily.

In contemporary Taiwan, representative politics has reached maturity, but the systems for referendums and recalls are still unfolding. Although both reflect the people’s passion for political engagement, they may be subject to misinformation and even interference from foreign forces. This shows once again that the foundation of democratic governance is civil society. Its main role is to promote rational discussion of public issues among the people, so that citizens can acquire a deeper and broader understanding of the democratic system, and ultimately possess the capacity to make the best decisions. Therefore, the Foundation will further enhance its partnership with civil society organizations, with the intention of making civil society stronger and better able to perform its basic functions. We also especially encourage the next generation of democratic activists to step up and take over, because Taiwan’s youth have become the median voters and will lead the country into the future. I hope that in the future the Foundation will further strengthen cooperation with its partners at home and abroad. We must work together to fiercely defend the values of democracy and human rights and create a better democratic future for all.