00:00Government officials and scholars from around the world are in Taipei to discuss ways to promote peace, stability, and freedom
00:08in the Indo-Pacific region amid global uncertainty and conflict.
00:13Leaders here at the annual Yushan Forum are emphasizing that this is a crucial moment, with the world facing threats
00:20from China and Russia and a growing conflict in the Middle East.
00:24They say it's now more important than ever for democracies to work together.
00:28As we face rapid changes in global geopolitics, non-conventional threats, and intensifying great-run aggression, Taiwan is determined to
00:43maintain regional peace and stability.
00:46We stand ready to work alongside fellow democracies to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve peace through strength.
00:59President Lai Qingde pointed out Taiwan has actively decreased its economic reliance on China and diversified its markets.
01:08He also emphasized the importance of increasing Taiwan's military budget, aiming for defense to make up 5% of Taiwan's
01:15GDP by 2030.
01:17But this faces gridlock in the legislature, as opposition parties refuse to pass a special defense budget the government has
01:24proposed.
01:25Other current and former leaders also focused on the need to work together in the region, with one Japanese lawmaker
01:32pledging more cooperation with Taiwan in the face of threats from China.
01:50He also proposed more cultural exchanges between the music bands of Japan's self-defense forces, Taiwan's military, and the U
01:59.S. military, and he said China had no right to say anything about it.
02:03So, for two days, as the world faces instability and conflict, participants here are discussing ways in which democracies can
02:13work together to deter threats from authoritarian regimes, to enhance resilience, and to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
02:22Devin Tsai and Keynes Kuranta in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
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