Lai Urges Resistance to China's Transnational Repression at Ketagalan Forum
At the 10th annual Ketagalan Forum in Taipei, political figures and experts expressed support for Taiwan's fight against transnational repression from China. President Lai Ching-te warned that Beijing's new ethnic unity law is a dangerous tool for use against people outside China's borders. Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said democracies around the world needed to stand together to protect their citizens from the new law. And former US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul said the US needed to fight to protect its interests in the Indo-Pacific.
The international community needs to stand together against China’s transnational repression... that's the message that President Lai Ching-te is conveying to foreign officials and security experts at the 10th annual Ketagalan Forum in Taipei.
One major topic was how democracies can stand together after China enacted a new Ethnic Unity Law... where Beijing claims the right to act against people and organizations outside China’s borders.
LAI CHING-TE, TAIWAN PRESIDENT (Taipei)
Against threats from China’s Ethnic Unity Law, Taiwan’s position is clear. We will not accept united front infiltration, or red terror. We will not stand by, while China tries to extend its reach into Taiwan, or any other free nation or region.
The forum, hosted by Taiwan’s foreign ministry and the Taiwan Institute for Economic Research, brought together political figures and experts from around the world to discuss regional security... democratic partnerships... and instability driven by China...
Speakers included representatives from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, including Japan’s former defense minister... who shared a statement in support of Taiwan’s efforts to counter Beijing’s growing transnational repression...
And the prime minister of Taiwan's only African ally Eswatini, which has recently reported facing pressure to switch recognition to China. Russell Dlamini praised Taiwan’s enduring partnership and contributions to the world.
RUSSELL DLAMINI, ESWATINI PRIME MINISTER (Taipei)
The enduring friendship between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China Taiwan stands as a living testimony to what nations can accomplish when relationships are founded upon trust, mutual respect, and assured commitment to human purpose. For this reason, Eswatini will continue to stand firmly and consistently for Taiwan's meaningful inclusion in global governance.
Pro-Taiwan US Congressman Michael McCaul, who formerly led the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also spoke at the forum.
MICHAEL MCCAUL, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, US HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (Taipei)
As the CCP escalates its military activities around Taiwan and increases their belligerence in the South China Sea, particularly against our allies and the Philippines, it is critical that we respond with unity in the Indo-Pacific region. The CCP's actions are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader, deliberate strategy to assert dominance in the region, challenging international norms, and threatening the sovereignty of neighboring countries.
As the Ketagalan Forum enters its tenth year, the discussions here will shape how Taiwan’s partners respond to shifting security challenges in the Indo-Pacific... and center Taiwan as a key player in maintaining peace in the region.
