
Taiwan’s leadership meets int’l parliament-adjacent groups
While all eyes in the Asia-Pacific are on events leading up to the APEC Summit, Taiwan is also kicking off the week with a series of high-profile events on its soil, hosted by influential groups from the US, Europe and Canada. On Monday, the president attended a dinner event hosted by an influential lobby group in Washington DC; while on Tuesday, the vice president attended the annual meeting of pro-Taiwan EU and Canadian lawmakers. Earlier, the vice president also gave an interview with a German public broadcaster.
Bernard Kaminetsky, the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, presents President Lai Ching-te with a crystal glass souvenir. The two greet each other warmly.
The AIPAC, a lobbying group in Washington DC held a dinner event in Taipei on Monday, which the president attended. Lai thanked the group for its long-term support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Lai Ching-te (Oct. 27)
President
Taiwan needs to channel the spirit of David against Goliath in standing up to authoritarian coercion. Over the past few years, Taiwan has further bolstered its self-defense capabilities. [Inspired by the] US Golden Dome, Taiwan will build its own T-Dome multilayered air defense system.
Lai mentioned that the recently announced T-Dome air defense system takes inspiration from its US and Israeli counterparts. He also urged closer trilateral Taiwan-US-Israel cooperation in key sectors amid global supply chain restructuring.
Lai Ching-te (Oct. 27)
President
Taiwan is well-versed in advanced chip manufacturing and is very willing to enhance cooperation with Israel under President Trump’s AI Action Plan.
Earlier, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was interviewed by German public broadcaster ARD on a news documentary show, in which she emphasized the importance of raising Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Again using her well-known cat-warrior analogy, she said the following.
Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Even though most countries in the international system treat Taiwan unfairly, Taiwan still has the desire to be a global force for good. The people of Taiwan will continue to extend an arm of friendship. So that’s how—what I mean by cats. They’re warm and cute.
Tessniem Kadiri
‘Weltspiegel’ show host
So, will the cat strike back if pushed into a corner?
Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Everyone should treat this cat, known as Taiwan, well.
On Tuesday, the vice president attended the annual conference of the Formosa Club, a platform for pro-Taiwan members of the European and Canadian Parliaments. It’s their first annual conference on Taiwanese soil.
Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Taiwan, positioned in the frontlines of authoritarian expansion, remains unwavering in its commitment to democracy. The presence of Formosa Club members here today sends a clear message: Taiwan is not alone in this mission.
The vice president says the very presence of these legislators show that Taiwan is not alone and has support from other countries.
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2025-10-28