
Tsai urges democracies to unite and highlights Taiwan resilience in Germany
Former President Tsai Ing-wen is in Germany this week, marking her third visit to Europe since leaving office. Speaking at the Berlin Freedom Conference, Tsai emphasized Taiwan’s resilience in the face of growing pressure and intimidation from China. She highlighted Taiwan’s efforts to safeguard democracy, strengthen defense readiness, and counter information warfare. Before the event she also met with German politician Reinhard Bütikofer, who noted Europe’s shifting perception of China as a growing security concern.
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President
It is wonderful to be back in Germany after almost 15 years. It is great to come back here and be among so many like-minded friends and advocates of democracy.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a speech at the Berlin Freedom Confernece, where she spoke about Taiwan’s situation.
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President
Now, we are experiencing much-intensified threats and intimidation almost on a daily basis. Our neighbor thought that by routinizing influence operations, gray-zone activities and military exercises, Taiwanese would be debilitated by fear or become complacent. Contrary to that, the people of Taiwan utilized these challenges as the basis to build their resilience.
She underscored Taiwan’s resilience, its commitment to safeguarding free elections and its resistance to information manipulation. She also called for deeper cooperation among democracies, by establishing systems for communication and sharing information. She added that Taiwan has learned much from Europe.
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President
Taiwan has also fortified its digital infrastructure to withstand cyber threats, and has coordinated with civil society to counter information manipulation. As technology continues to advance, we have been working hard to enhance our technological capabilities in confronting foreign information manipulation and interference, as well as cognitive warfare.
Tsai set off for Germany on Nov. 8. Besides the Berlin Freedom Conference, she also met with Reinhard Bütikofer, Co-Chair of the Germany-Taiwan Civil Forum and former chair of the European Parliament’s Taiwan Friendship Group.
Reinhard Bütikofer
German-Taiwan Civil Forum Chair
China was never really seen as a security threat. Today, increasingly, people realize that China is also threatening or undercutting European security.
It is Tsai’s third visit to Europe since leaving office, symbolizing Taiwan’s determination to strengthen cooperation with Europe.
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2025-11-11