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Hsiao Bi-khim, the representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), spoke with Japanese broadcaster NHK ahead of the Summit for Democracy on Thursday and Friday in the US. (screen capture from the NHK website)

“It is in the interest of all democracies that Taiwan remains democratic,” said Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US.

Hsiao is participating as Taiwan’s representative at the Summit for Democracy, which has been taking place Thursday and Friday over vehement objections from Beijing.

In a Thursday interview with Japan’s NHK news network just ahead of the summit, Hsiao said that Taiwan’s participation in the summit will allow it to “widely share our successful experiences with democracy to date.”

“China continues to propagate the narrative that democracy isn’t suitable for Asian countries or for Hong Kong, but Taiwan proves that is wrong,” she added.

She also said, “Taiwan’s survival and our security is a cornerstone of the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.”

Hsiao argued that the very existence of Taiwan as a successful democracy even under intense pressure from China is a great “tangible and intangible asset” for all democracy advocates.

Noting that Taiwan has achieved great successes in its battle against COVID-19 through the sharing of information and use of digital technology, she added that Taiwan’s advancements in digital technology have allowed the country to promote citizen participation through democratic procedures.

“We look forward to being able to use the Summit for Democracy as a space for sharing expertise,” she said, signaling her commitment to take part in the event.

Taiwan remained under martial law for a nearly 40-year period after the Kuomintang party relocated to a provisional capital in Taipei in December 1949 following its defeat in the Chinese Civil War.

Martial law was finally lifted in July 1987, and Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in March 1996. It has maintained a stable democratic system since then, including a successful democratic change in administrations in 2000.

The US’ surprising inclusion of Taiwan on the list of invitees to the Summit for Democracy on Nov. 23 triggered a major outcry from China.

Shortly afterward, the Taiwanese Presidential Office expressed “thanks to President [Joe] Biden and the US government for inviting Taiwan.” At the same time, it announced that Audrey Tang, who is Taiwan’s digital minister, and Hsiao, who represents Taiwan in the US, would be attending the summit in President Tsai Ing-wen’s stead.

In its analysis of the decision on Sunday, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper said, “If President Tsai had participated even in a videoconference, that would have crossed a ‘red line’ for China that would have made an intense military backlash unavoidably.”

“Taiwan did not cross that line,” it concluded.

By Gil Yun-hyung, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]