TAIWAN

Defending Democracy and the Global Order: A Resolution of Support for Taiwan’s Resilience and International Participation

As democratic nations and authoritarian states contend for technological dominance in the AI era, we recognize that this is a pivotal juncture in history for democratic life and values across the globe. This coming decade will determine whether democracy can reassert itself as a guiding model of governance, or whether authoritarian systems will set the new world order.

We emphasize that Taiwan holds a special position in this battle of competing structures of governance. Taiwan faces two major challenges: AI powered information warfare, and regimes that seek to undermine its democratic way of life.

We recall that Taiwan has declared that it will never bow to aggression and will stand tall in defense of its hard-earned freedom and democracy. As said by its current leadership: “Peace through strength, and strength through resilience: this is our goal.”; Taiwan’s stability is an essential cornerstone for prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

We further note that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has increased its efforts to isolate Taiwan through coercive signaling, military posturing, and the spread of disinformation. Just last year, China deployed over 5,100 aircrafts across the Taiwan Strait, posing substantial threats to the peace of the region. They have also distorted UN Resolution 2758 in an attempt to push the “One China Principle,” and to isolate Taiwan from international organizations. These actions not only endanger Taiwan’s place in the global community, escalate regional tensions and create instability, but put allies in the untenable position of having to choose between principles and coercion.

Recognizing That
Taiwan’s leading innovation and manufacturing capabilities are indispensable to maintaining the competitive advantage of democratic societies worldwide.

Authoritarian regimes, led by China, build alliances with one another to inhibit Taiwan’s contributions on the global stage.

These alliances attempt to infiltrate and undermine democratic societies.

The CCP’s expansionist vision has posed considerable threats not only to places beyond the immediate region, but also to the very foundation of global democratic order.

Through coercive signaling, military posturing, and the spread of disinformation, the Chinese Communist Party has acted in a direct effort to weaken the democratic structure of Taiwanese society, as well as Taiwan’s position on the global stage.

Isolating Taiwan does not only negatively affect Taiwan’s domestic discourse and affairs, but also deprives members of the international community of valuable technology, economic opportunity, and democratic partnership.

Expressing Concern
Over the PRC’s efforts to distort UN resolution 2758 and spread misinformation.
Over the PRC’s coercion of other foreign governments to exclude Taiwan from the international community.
Over the implications of Taiwan’s isolation and the ensuing erosion of resilience and the status quo.

We Believe
Freedom and democracy in Taiwan were won through great struggle and sacrifice, and we condemn any party that attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait unilaterally.
Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience preparations are for the sake of preserving peace and democracy
Freedom and democracy must be defended for the benefit of the global democratic community, and the success of these efforts require participation and support from all members of the international community
Democratic nations cannot bear to lose the competitive technological advantage to authoritarian forces, and we cannot do it without Taiwan. The most effective way to deter authoritarian aggression is to cooperate with like-minded countries

We Condemn
The PRC’s attempts to distort UN Resolution 2758 and spread global misinformation.
The PRC’s incessant attempts at forcibly changing the status quo through military and economic coercion, gray zone operations, threats, and manipulation.
The PRC’s attempts to coerce other governments to exclude Taiwan from international spheres and intimidate other countries to prevent them from pursuing collaboration with Taiwan.

We Urgently Request
Democracies across the world stand up to authoritarianism by denouncing China’s misuse of UN Resolution 2758, fostering global cooperation through economic, political, technological and educational initiatives, and pledging support for Taiwan’s international participation and the preservation of the status quo.
Members of Liberal International to reaffirm their commitment to support Taiwan, which shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace and prosperity as its members, and declares that the PRC’s provocative actions against Taiwan and in the region can only result in negative consequences for the international community’s relations with the PRC.
The international community recognizes Taiwan’s resilience efforts not merely as domestic initiatives, but as vital contributions to the international democratic order. The international community must act decisively to rapidly bolster our collective democratic resilience.
The international community to uphold a rules-based international order and peaceful diplomacy regarding Taiwan and the Taiwan strait.
Multilateral engagement in clarifying the legal scope of UN Resolution 2758 thereby allowing Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organisations without prejudicing status quo.
States to place dialogue, international law, and conflict prevention at the forefront as means of achieving security and stability in the region.

This statement is originally published on the website of Liberal International as part of the resolution voted by members of Liberal International during its 209th Executive Committee Meeting.