President Tsai Ing-wen stated at a conference in New York that Taiwan is "proud" of its efforts to assist Ukraine in its fight for self-defense and that those efforts must continue.
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, Taiwan joined Western-led sanctions on Russia and donated more than $30 million USD for humanitarian help, the majority of which came from the general public. "A special military operation," according to Moscow, is what it is doing.
Donations are being sent to war-torn Ukraine by Taiwanese residents and the government. For the Ukrainian war refugees, 1,730 Taiwanese contributors have so far collected cookies, blankets, masks, diapers, and feminine hygiene goods. According to the island's media outlets and private benefactors, Taiwan's super-wealthy, church organizations, and international advocacy groups have amassed additional donations.
Widespread sympathy has been shown for Ukraine's position in Taiwan, where many people compare the country's predicament to the threat Taiwan's government claims it faces from China, which sees the island as its own territory.
"As we watched the carnage of the Russian invasion, Taiwan is proud to play a role in the effort to assist the Ukrainians in their struggle to defend their country and freedom," President Tsai said. "We must continue with our efforts," in remarks pre-recorded from her office and played at the Concordia Summit on Monday (Sep 19). China has been posing more and more forceful threats to Taiwan, she continued.
"We have to educate ourselves on the authoritarian playbook, and understand that Taiwan's democracy will not be the only thing the PRC seeks to extinguish," Tsai said, referring to the People's Republic of China.
"Securing Taiwan's democracy is imperative in securing freedom and human rights for our collective future."
The UN General Assembly and the Concordia Summit both take place in New York at the same time. Due to China's reservations, which view Taiwan's democracy as one of its provinces without the right to the trappings of a state, Taiwan is not a UN member. The Taiwanese administration has actively pursued UN membership since it firmly rejects China's assertions of its sovereignty.
"With the inclusion of Taiwan in the UN system, I am confident that we can work even more closely to face future challenges and safeguard the rules-based international order," Tsai said.
Taiwan maintained China's seat at the United Nations under the legal name of the Republic of China until 1971 when the People's Republic of China took its place.
After falling to Mao Zedong's communists in a civil war, the defeated Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan in 1949.
