By Focus | 2026-05-14

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te told the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2026 that Taiwan could help strengthen democratic resilience through its experience confronting authoritarian pressure, as well as its leadership in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Lai delivered the recorded English-language speech on May 12 at the invitation of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation during the ninth Copenhagen Democracy Summit. This year's gathering focused heavily on threats against Taiwan, Ukraine and Greenland.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, founder of the foundation and a former Danish prime minister, described Taiwan as a democracy under growing pressure from authoritarianism.

Democratic front line

In his remarks, Lai said authoritarian regimes were increasingly challenging global peace and stability through military intimidation, economic coercion, cyberattacks and "gray zone" operations across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.

"Gray zone" refers to acts that stop short of war but tax a country's security forces.

Lai cited the disruption of his planned April visit to Eswatini, after Taiwan said China pressured Indian Ocean countries to deny overflight access to his aircraft. Lai eventually reached Eswatini, Taiwan's only ally in Africa, in May.

"These challenges remind us time and again: no democracy can afford to stand on the sidelines in the face of expanding authoritarianism," Lai said.

Lai said Taiwan, positioned on the strategic "first island chain," stood on the "front lines in the defense of democracy" and was willing to share its experience confronting authoritarian pressure with the international community.

That chain includes Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Taiwan will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities while working with democratic partners to enhance societal resilience, said Lai.

"I would like to thank the United States for helping us strengthen our defense capabilities as part of its unwavering commitment to security," Lai said.

"The people of Taiwan have never backed down in the face of mounting external challenges, and they will never bow to pressure. Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation," he said.

Supply chain role

Lai framed Taiwan's technology sector as a pillar supporting democratic cooperation and global economic security.

Taiwan's semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries have been built through long-term cooperation and trust with democratic partners including the United States, Japan and European countries, he said.

"Taiwan will continue to leverage its technological strengths and work with those partners to build trusted and more resilient democratic supply chains," Lai said.

Lai emphasized Taiwan's willingness to contribute to protecting free trade and "developing democracy-supporting technologies."

The summit's agenda included discussions on defense resilience, democratic technology and support for front-line democracies confronting authoritarian pressure.

Participants included Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen; Chrystia Freeland, a former Canadian deputy prime minister; and Kono Taro, a former Japanese defense minister.

European support

Lai highlighted Taiwan's democratic development as the island marked 30 years since its first direct presidential election in 1996. At the time, China communicated its displeasure by firing unarmed missiles into Taiwanese waters.

Since then, Taiwan has continued strengthening democratic institutions, advancing transitional justice (justice for societies emerging from wars or dictatorships) and protecting human rights and "a diversity of values," said Lai.

Lai's remarks demonstrate Taiwan's ability to contribute to democracy and the global economy while facing growing pressure from China, Michael Danielsen, chairman of the Denmark-based pro-Taiwan group Taiwan Corner, told Taiwan's Central News Agency.

Taiwan should stop viewing itself as a "small country," said Danielsen, noting that it ranks among the world's top 20 economies and could play a much larger international role.