President Lai Delivers Speech at Copenhagen Democracy Summit: Unity of Democratic Nations Will Keep the Light of Freedom Burning
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, in a video address at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, stressed the unity of democratic nations against authoritarian expansion. He affirmed Taiwan's position on the democratic frontline and its commitment to leveraging its semiconductor and AI industries to strengthen democratic supply chains and contribute to the international community.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 22:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei 12th) President Lai Ching-te today delivered a video speech at the 9th 'Copenhagen Democracy Summit,' stating that in the face of authoritarian expansion, no democratic nation can stand idly by. The path of democracy may encounter headwinds, but the unity among democratic nations will become even stronger, and as long as they stand together, the light of freedom will not be extinguished.
The Presidential Office issued a press release noting that President Lai, at the invitation of the Alliance of Democracies (AoD) in Denmark, delivered a video speech at the 9th 'Copenhagen Democracy Summit' (CDS).
President Lai first thanked Chairman Anders Fogh Rasmussen for the repeated invitation, allowing him to represent the people of Taiwan at this year's Copenhagen Democracy Summit and stand with all friends who firmly support the values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.
President Lai said that the world is at a critical turning point in the tug-of-war between democracy and authoritarianism. From Europe, the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific region, authoritarian forces continue to gather and pose more severe challenges to global peace, stability, and democratic development through military intimidation, economic coercion, cyberattacks, and gray-zone operations.
President Lai stated that last month, he was scheduled to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini but encountered China's obstruction of normal flight routes. This made it clearer for the global democratic community to see that authoritarian regimes are attempting to impose their rules on the world, even at the cost of violating international norms and using global flight safety and civil aviation order as leverage for political pressure.
He said that these challenges repeatedly remind everyone that in the face of authoritarian expansion, no democratic nation can stand idly by; only by the united front of global democracies can a more resilient defense be built for the free world.
The President stated that Taiwan is in a key position on the first island chain, standing at the forefront of the democratic defense line, and Taiwan is willing to share its experience in dealing with authoritarian forces with the international community. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, strive to maintain regional peace and stability, and work with various countries to strengthen the resilience of society as a whole, so that democracy, when facing threats, is not just a belief, but also a force that can stabilize society and protect daily life.
In addition, President Lai said that Taiwan's globally leading semiconductor and AI industries are the result of long-term mutual trust and cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, Japan, Europe, and many democratic partners. In the future, Taiwan will continue to leverage its technological advantages to build a trustworthy and more resilient democratic supply chain with democratic partners, making greater contributions to the security and prosperity of the global economy.
President Lai stated that he has always believed that a stronger democratic Taiwan is not only the ideal of the Taiwanese people but also the expectation of the international community. On this occasion, he extended his respect and gratitude to all democratic partners who still choose to support Taiwan under pressure.
President Lai thanked the United States for its firm commitment to security matters, assisting Taiwan in strengthening its defense capabilities; thanked the European Union and various European countries for repeatedly reiterating the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait; and also thanked Indo-Pacific partners such as Japan, the Philippines, and Australia for continuously speaking out for regional stability. 'Every time you speak out, it is the strongest deterrent to aggressors and the most solid shield for our common values.'
He said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential election. Thirty years ago, the people of Taiwan, undeterred by missile threats from China, completed their first direct presidential election. Over the past 30 years, Taiwan has continued to deepen democracy, promote transitional justice, and protect human rights, the rule of law, and diverse values, making Taiwan an important democratic beacon in Asia.
President Lai said that in the face of numerous external challenges, the people of Taiwan have never flinched and will never yield. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, and the people of Taiwan have the right to go out into the world and the ability to contribute to the world. Any obstruction attempting to isolate Taiwan cannot change Taiwan's determination to participate in the international community, and Taiwan will continue to be a force for good in the international community, shining brightly in the world.
President Lai stated that the path of democracy may encounter headwinds, but the unity among democratic nations will become even stronger. As long as they stand together, the light of freedom will not be extinguished. Let everyone jointly protect democracy and leave a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous world for the next generation. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei 12th) President Lai Ching-te today delivered a video speech at the 9th 'Copenhagen Democracy Summit,' stating that in the face of authoritarian expansion, no democratic nation can stand idly by. The path of democracy may encounter headwinds, but the unity among democratic nations will become even stronger, and as long as they stand together, the light of freedom will not be extinguished.
The Presidential Office issued a press release noting that President Lai, at the invitation of the Alliance of Democracies (AoD) in Denmark, delivered a video speech at the 9th 'Copenhagen Democracy Summit' (CDS).
President Lai first thanked Chairman Anders Fogh Rasmussen for the repeated invitation, allowing him to represent the people of Taiwan at this year's Copenhagen Democracy Summit and stand with all friends who firmly support the values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.
President Lai said that the world is at a critical turning point in the tug-of-war between democracy and authoritarianism. From Europe, the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific region, authoritarian forces continue to gather and pose more severe challenges to global peace, stability, and democratic development through military intimidation, economic coercion, cyberattacks, and gray-zone operations.
President Lai stated that last month, he was scheduled to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini but encountered China's obstruction of normal flight routes. This made it clearer for the global democratic community to see that authoritarian regimes are attempting to impose their rules on the world, even at the cost of violating international norms and using global flight safety and civil aviation order as leverage for political pressure.
He said that these challenges repeatedly remind everyone that in the face of authoritarian expansion, no democratic nation can stand idly by; only by the united front of global democracies can a more resilient defense be built for the free world.
The President stated that Taiwan is in a key position on the first island chain, standing at the forefront of the democratic defense line, and Taiwan is willing to share its experience in dealing with authoritarian forces with the international community. Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, strive to maintain regional peace and stability, and work with various countries to strengthen the resilience of society as a whole, so that democracy, when facing threats, is not just a belief, but also a force that can stabilize society and protect daily life.
In addition, President Lai said that Taiwan's globally leading semiconductor and AI industries are the result of long-term mutual trust and cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, Japan, Europe, and many democratic partners. In the future, Taiwan will continue to leverage its technological advantages to build a trustworthy and more resilient democratic supply chain with democratic partners, making greater contributions to the security and prosperity of the global economy.
President Lai stated that he has always believed that a stronger democratic Taiwan is not only the ideal of the Taiwanese people but also the expectation of the international community. On this occasion, he extended his respect and gratitude to all democratic partners who still choose to support Taiwan under pressure.
President Lai thanked the United States for its firm commitment to security matters, assisting Taiwan in strengthening its defense capabilities; thanked the European Union and various European countries for repeatedly reiterating the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait; and also thanked Indo-Pacific partners such as Japan, the Philippines, and Australia for continuously speaking out for regional stability. 'Every time you speak out, it is the strongest deterrent to aggressors and the most solid shield for our common values.'
He said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential election. Thirty years ago, the people of Taiwan, undeterred by missile threats from China, completed their first direct presidential election. Over the past 30 years, Taiwan has continued to deepen democracy, promote transitional justice, and protect human rights, the rule of law, and diverse values, making Taiwan an important democratic beacon in Asia.
President Lai said that in the face of numerous external challenges, the people of Taiwan have never flinched and will never yield. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, and the people of Taiwan have the right to go out into the world and the ability to contribute to the world. Any obstruction attempting to isolate Taiwan cannot change Taiwan's determination to participate in the international community, and Taiwan will continue to be a force for good in the international community, shining brightly in the world.
President Lai stated that the path of democracy may encounter headwinds, but the unity among democratic nations will become even stronger. As long as they stand together, the light of freedom will not be extinguished. Let everyone jointly protect democracy and leave a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous world for the next generation. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.