Derek Mitchell calls upon the US to reaffirm its support of Taiwan in international organizations
Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/16
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Tsai Administration’s New Southbound Policy allows Taiwan
Former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell (By Central News Agency)
to secure a place in the international community while serving to protect democracy, said former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell.
The former American diplomat, who is the current president of the non-profit National Democratic Institute, made the remarks in a Oct. 15 seminar on methods to help safeguard democracy in Taiwan in Washington, reported Central News Agency.
Mitchell believes the New Southbound Policy, involving initiatives from aspects of culture, society, economy, technology, and education, provides opportunities for Taiwan to contribute to the world and increase its international profile. With China increasingly ramping up pressure on Taiwan, engaging economically with foreign countries also serves as a way to strengthen the country’s democracy, he reckoned.
American political scientist and former national security advisor Harry Harding also urged the U.S. to play a more active role in supporting Taiwan’s international participation, for example with entry to WHA and ICAO, noting that countries in the Indo-Pacific region will be more willing to engage with Taiwan with the encouragement from the U.S, CNA quoted him. [FULL STORY]
