Rasmussen (right), former secretary-general of NATO and chairman of the Democratic League, arrived in Taiwan for a visit on the 3rd. Yao Jinxiang (left), director of the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received him at the airport.

(Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

[Reporter Chen Yun/Taipei Report] The Presidential Palace issued a press release today. Vice President Lai Qingde met with Rasmussen, former Secretary General of NATO and Prime Minister of Denmark, Chairman of the Democratic Alliance Foundation Lai Qingde pointed out that Taiwan is willing to play a positive and active role and contribute to the international democratic order, and looks forward to cooperating with the "Democracy Alliance Foundation" to promote common values ​​such as democracy, freedom, and human rights.

In his speech, Lai Qingde said that Rasmussen’s last visit to Taiwan was in 1994. At that time, Taiwan had just lifted the martial law. It was a society that pursued democracy, openness and turmoil. It is as natural as the air. Taiwan cherishes and loves democracy. It also hopes to cooperate with the "Democracy Alliance Foundation" to promote democracy internationally. Thank Rasmussen for inviting President Tsai to deliver a speech at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. Through the president's speech, the international community has learned more about Taiwan's democratic status quo.

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Lai Qingde pointed out that the current situation in Taiwan is different from that when Chairman Rasmussen came to Taiwan in 1994. At that time, the people of Taiwan fought for democracy, freedom and human rights from the dictatorial Kuomintang; now they are facing threats from China. We must Protect the democratic and free system that has been established with great difficulty.

Lai Qingde mentioned that Rasmussen served as the prime minister of Denmark and promoted the progress of Denmark; he served as the secretary-general of NATO and established a mechanism for NATO. I also hope that the "Democratic League Foundation" can play a greater role, so that the world's democratic order will not be damaged and affected by authoritarian countries, so that the common values ​​of the world-democracy, freedom, and human rights can continue to be promoted.

Lai Qingde said that Taiwan is willing to play a positive and active role and contribute to the international democratic order.

He expects the delegation to learn more about Taiwan through this visit, and to give valuable advice so that Taiwan can have the opportunity to play a role in the democratic alliance.

Rasmussen said that he remembered visiting Taiwan 30 years ago, when Taiwan's democracy was in a transitional period. During his visit to Taiwan this time, he was deeply impressed by Taiwan's economic and infrastructure development, especially Taiwan is already a fully mature country. A democracy is also a beacon of freedom.

Rasmussen believes that democracies around the world should cooperate more closely to fight against authoritarian regimes, so he established the "Democratic Alliance Foundation", hoping that the global democratic camp can further unite and cooperate.

He mentioned that all the democratic camps together represent 60% of the world's economic power. This is a huge force that will make Beijing and other authoritarian countries fearful.

Rasmussen said that Taiwan is a very important member of the democratic camp. This trip to Taiwan will not only meet with Taiwan's leaders, discuss how to further strengthen Taiwan-Europe relations, safeguard Taiwan's future, but also ensure that the people of Taiwan have rights decide your own future.

Accompanied by Vice Foreign Minister Cai Mingyan, the visiting guests visited the Vice President at the Presidential Palace.