In response to the Summit for Democracy hosted by United States President Joe Biden, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has submitted a substantive list of commitments in the hope of working even more closely with the United States and other democracies in promoting democracy and human rights worldwide.
From December 9 to 10, 2021, the United States hosted the first Summit for Democracy with three key themes—defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights. Leaders and representatives of over 100 democracies were invited to the event to discuss related issues. During the Summit, President Biden announced the launch of a multipronged plan and encouraged all governments to submit a list of commitments and advance democracy domestically and internationally.
Combining the strengths of public and private agencies, Taiwan has made 62 commitments addressing such issues as combating corruption, enhancing fiscal transparency, promoting open government and civic participation, countering disinformation, protecting international religious freedom, and advancing human rights and labor rights. As per its commitments, Taiwan will continue to strive to solidify its democratic system and enhance human rights work. In addition, through the US-Taiwan Consultations on Democratic Governance in the Indo-Pacific Region and the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, Taiwan will continue to engage in cooperation with the United States and other like-minded countries on promoting universal values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region and worldwide.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that, according to the Freedom in the World 2020 report published by Freedom House, over the past 15 years freedom has been declining and authoritarianism has been gaining influence throughout the world. In facing such a formidable challenge, Taiwan seeks to work with like-minded countries in defending democratic values, deepening collaboration through the Summit for Democracy and other mechanisms, and revitalizing the democratic alliance. Standing on the liberal democratic order’s front line against authoritarian systems, Taiwan knows that democracy is the sole, enduring path to take and will continue to staunchly do its part to fortify democracy globally. (E)
