Remarks at the opening ceremony of the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue

Remarks at the opening ceremony of the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue

• Data Source：Department of Policy Planning
• Date：2026-08-04

Dr. Lin Chia-lung

Minister of Foreign Affairs

ROC (Taiwan)

August 4, 2026

(As Delivered)

President Lai Ching-te;

Dr. Lin Xin-wu, Vice President of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research;

The Honorable Russell Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini;

The Honorable Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs;

The Honorable Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland;

The Honorable Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada;

The Honorable Gen Nakatani, Cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China;

Mr. Luke De Pulford, Executive Director of IPAC;

Distinguished guests;

Friends from the media;

Ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning!

I extend sincere appreciation to President Lai for joining us today for the opening ceremony of the Ketagalan Forum. And I warmly welcome all our friends from around the world. I also wish to thank everyone whose hard work and dedication have made this event possible.

This year, we mark the 10th edition of the forum and the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in Taiwan. It has also been 39 years since martial law was lifted-this now surpasses the 38-year period of martial law itself. From the end of martial law in 1987 to the first direct presidential election in 1996 to today, Taiwan's democracy has developed steadily. We have witnessed three peaceful changes of governing party. Our democratic path has been forged step by step by the people. Along the way, Taiwan has deepened resilience and democracy while embracing the world. These milestones remind us that Taiwan's democratic journey has not only altered Taiwan but continues to bring inspiration to the Indo-Pacific region and the global community as a whole.

As President Lai noted in his speech for the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2026, "democracy is one of the values that links Taiwan to the world, and it is Taiwan's most precious asset." This highlights the core significance of today's forum-namely that democratic Taiwan is not "Taiwan, China." Our democracy is not only our chosen form of government; it is the foundation upon which we build trust, deepen cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability with like-minded countries.

Over the past nine years, the forum has welcomed 148 international guests from 30 countries, who have delivered speeches or participated in discussions. They have included former US Vice President Richard Cheney, former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Today, all of you are witnessing-just as they witnessed-Taiwan's steadfast alignment with the democratic camp. Taiwan remains committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability and to cooperating with allies and partners to achieve coprosperity.

You might wonder why this platform is called the Ketagalan Forum. Ketagalan Boulevard is the main road leading to Taiwan's Presidential Office Building and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Presidential Office Building represents democratic governance, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs symbolizes Taiwan's connection to the world.

As the Ketagalan Forum enters its 10th year, in addition to reflecting on the past, we must also look to the future and consider Indo-Pacific security over the next decade.

Since the founding of the forum, its focus has expanded from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific, highlighting shifts in the regional security landscape. At the first forum in 2017, we examined Asia-Pacific geostrategy and traditional maritime security. But in recent years, security challenges have fundamentally changed. Now, in 2026, we have pivoted to regional collective defense in the Indo-Pacific and countering hybrid warfare, such as gray-zone intrusions.

Today's security challenges are no longer limited to conventional military conflicts. Gradually, gray-zone activities and hybrid warfare have gained momentum, penetrating every aspect of national governance and people's lives.

Authoritarian China continues to threaten democratic Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, but this has evolved from traditional geopolitical and military expansionism to new types of hybrid aggression. In the past, China employed legal tactics, such as its so-called Anti-Secession Law, and military exercises and intimidation, attempting to undermine Taiwan's national sovereignty and democracy. Now, China has extended its reach to impose a unified national identity and ideological governance. It uses transnational repression against individuals, creating a chilling effect and attempting to limit freedom of speech in overseas communities and democratic societies.

The most recent development deserving international attention is China's enactment on July 1 of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. It provides a legal pretext for authoritarian China to export red terror and engage in transnational repression. Among other things, it grants China's law enforcement agencies room for arbitrary interpretation. And the scope of its threat is not limited to Taiwan. Any organization or individual from any country could be targeted if their words or actions are deemed unacceptable by China.

Since the law's implementation, a number of concerning cases have already come to light. This underscores how recent Chinese legislation supposedly aimed at national security or ethnicity in fact infringes on the sovereignty and rule of law of nations everywhere. It is also a clear challenge to freedom of speech, human rights, and the international order.

On this meaningful occasion, we call on the global democratic community to jointly counter malicious legislation that attempts to place domestic law above international law. We must not allow authoritarian regimes to erode human rights and national sovereignty worldwide. We must build a stronger line of defense to ensure that no form of coercion can destroy our free will.

Taiwan stands on the front line, countering authoritarian expansionism and new threats from China daily. Taiwan has therefore adjusted its approach, employing a more flexible and comprehensive diplomatic strategy to address these long-term challenges.

Over the last two years, Taiwan has advanced President Lai's values-based diplomacy. And through the policy of integrated diplomacy, we are working closely with partners in such domains as security, the economy, technology, and democratic values to achieve value-added diplomacy. We have bolstered cooperation with like-minded countries, including the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union. We are willing to share Taiwan's expertise in countering China's authoritarian expansionism with our allies and partners.

And now, I would like to introduce two special guests: IPAC Cochair Nakatani and IPAC Executive Director De Pulford. I extend profound appreciation to them both for supporting Taiwan's staunch defense of democracy. I also thank them for taking concrete action when faced with major issues regarding China. They continue to speak up for justice and unite the democratic camp against authoritarianism.

Today, IPAC has stepped forward again, issuing a statement strongly condemning China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. I sincerely hope that this righteous act draws worldwide attention and ignites a global response. I thank the two IPAC representatives again for their participation and contributions.

In closing, I wish this forum every success and look forward to hearing your insights. Thank you!