The 2nd Democracy Summit debuted on the 29th. In his opening speech, U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to provide nearly US$700 million (approximately TWD 21.3 billion) in funding to strengthen plans to promote democracy around the world and establish a common alliance against surveillance Technology refers to the export of China's surveillance technology to other authoritarian countries.

(Associated Press)

[Compiled by Yang Fuyi/Taipei Report] The 2nd Democracy Summit initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden debuted on the 29th. Senior officials in Washington stated that Biden would increase his commitment to provide nearly 700 million U.S. dollars (about 21.3 billion Taiwan dollars) in his opening speech. , to strengthen programs to promote democracy around the world, and to form a common coalition to fight surveillance technology.

As China's surveillance technology is exported to other authoritarian countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, Biden advocated against China's export of surveillance technology, calling on democratic countries to stand together to defend human rights and freedom.

Agence France-Presse reported that after Biden hosted the first U.S.-based democracy summit in 2021, this year's second democracy summit hopes to show a more global lineup. Leaders from Rica and other countries co-chaired the summit, which was dominated by video conferences.

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yol also agreed to host the 3rd Democracy Summit.

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Taiwan was also invited to the democracy summit, and Ukraine, which is battling Russian aggression, was given a prominent position.

Seeking to build a united front in defense of democracy and against authoritarianism was one of the keynotes of the summit as Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine and China and Russia prepare to join forces to create a global "new order."

The plenary session of the 2nd Democracy Summit kicks off today, bringing together 120 countries, civil society groups and technology companies.

A U.S. official said that following the $424 million promised by Biden at the first summit, this summit will provide another $690 million to help hold free elections, promote independent media, and strengthen the fight against corruption. democracy.

The Biden administration will also announce a joint effort with about 10 countries to combat the misuse and spread of spyware.

The United States is concerned that spyware is becoming a tool of Beijing as China's technological prowess grows.

The United States has identified China as the only long-term adversary threatening the free and open international order led by the United States.

Biden ordered a ban on the use of commercial espionage software by the US government two days ago, while Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation in Congress to ban the popular short video platform TikTok.

"Our thinking is that of course there are legitimate uses for these technologies, but we also see serious abuse by authoritarian states," the U.S. official said before the summit.