Taipei, Feb 22 (IANS) – Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to self-defense and called on allies to uphold global peace and stability during the closing ceremony of the Halifax International Security Forum 2025 in Taipei. She emphasized Taiwan’s crucial role in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region, stressing the importance of international cooperation.
Hsiao highlighted the growing threats posed by China’s frequent airspace intrusions and cyberattacks against Taiwan. She stated that Taiwan has adopted a strategic approach to counter these challenges from the Chinese Communist Party and its military, as reported by the Taipei Times.
The forum, which marked the first time the Halifax International Security Forum was held outside North America, began with an opening address by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. In his speech, President Lai expressed gratitude to the forum’s organizers for their unwavering support of Taiwan. Acknowledging the complexities of the current global landscape, he urged the international community to take action.
“Taiwan occupies a key position on the first island chain and directly faces authoritarian threats. However, we refuse to be intimidated. We will firmly defend our sovereignty, safeguard our democracy, and uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait,” President Lai declared. He further emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its defenses and reinforcing alliances with like-minded democratic nations.
Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and advocating for Taiwan’s greater participation in international affairs. In a post on X, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch reiterated Washington’s stance, stating, “America does not recognize China’s claim over Taiwan. The Chinese government continues its attempts to mislead the world, but we stand firmly with our friends in Taiwan.”
The Halifax International Security Forum, traditionally held in Canada, has long served as a platform for global democratic nations to discuss security challenges. During the event, Forum President Van Praagh emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “The security challenges we face today are too vast for any single country to tackle alone, but when democracies unite, no challenge is insurmountable.”
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