I believe that China needs to address its own internal problems, from Xinjiang to Tibet, and when they manage to fix them and they can be more stable… - Lin Ching-yi

We are in a complicated situation but we are trying to maintain and increase our democracy and our values. We are rather isolated and unsupported within international society but our responsibility is to promote cooperation on practical issues, such as public health, climate change or human rights, but also on democratic values. The rest of the world should do the same with us.

It is often difficult to explain to people why democracy is important. Even in Taiwan, even if we are a young democracy, it is not a simple mission. It is enough to look at the previous local elections to understand that even here it happens that hope for economic growth is placed before democratic values.

About a more pragmatic approach in relations with China, from my point of view I believe that real advantages for both of us, Taipei and for Beijing, can only come from a normal relationship and a balanced dialogue between country and country, between party and party. This is something that can only happen if Taiwan strengthens its democratic system and its international role.