(Central News Agency reporter Zhang Xinyu, San Francisco 9 special report) Former President Tsai Ing-wen had a conversation with "Mr. Democracy" Dai Yamen on the 8th. In an interview with Central News Agency, Dai Yamen said that Tsai Ing-wen’s self-deprecating "boring" is justified, and that democratic societies should reduce intense political emotions. Tsai Ing-wen clarified Taiwan's achievements, value, importance, and responsibilities to the world, "which are crucial to Taiwan's status and security in the world."
Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, visited Taiwan in September and sounded the alarm about the deepening decline of democracy around the world. In an exclusive interview with Central News Agency, he pointed out that Tsai Ing-wen's speech at the Hoover Institution is a good indicator, emphasizing the achievements and value of Taiwan's democracy, and reminding democratic societies to reduce political hostility and maintain common trust.
In her speech, Tsai Ing-wen mocked herself for being "boring" during her tenure as president; however, in an era when politics is becoming increasingly polarized and provocation is more likely to attract attention than restraint, a little boredom may be useful, especially as a president whose responsibility is to ensure Taiwan's security while finding common ground so that democracy can continue to move forward.
Tsai Ing-wen also shared a video of her speech on social platforms today, saying that she told 400 foreign friends at the Hoover Institution on the 8th that people often described her as "boring", and everyone laughed.
Dai Yamen pointed out that this kind of self-deprecation is also part of Tsai Ing-wen's charm, and Tsai Ing-wen quickly became a fan on campus. It is an important asset for an outgoing president to have more space for international activities to tell Taiwan's story to the world.
Looking at the world situation, Dai Yamen believes that Tsai Ing-wen’s speech is worthy of reference by the United States and other democratic countries.
Diamen explained that at a time when many democracies are trying to deal with internal differences and resist attempts by authoritarian countries such as Russia and China to manipulate and divide, Tsai Ing-wen’s speech conveyed a very practical and important message, that is, political competition may become increasingly fierce, but we must remember each other’s common values, including the common values of democracies, the cultural values shared within each democratic regime, and the common values shared by democratic regimes around the world.
Diamen emphasized that "this kind of common value is very important" to prevent people in Taiwan, or the United States, Germany, or other democratic countries from being overly divided; because hostile forces to democracy will manipulate division and use it to weaken democratic societies.
Tsai Ing-wen also gave an in-depth explanation of Taiwan's social resilience, which is rarely discussed in the outside world, explaining how people can transcend political differences and unite to help each other during crises. Dai Yamen said that the participants were also curious about how a relatively small country like Taiwan could simultaneously become a leading democracy and become such a powerful center in terms of advanced technology and economic development.
U.S. President Donald Trump held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in September. After the Trump-Xi meeting, the United States has recently interacted frequently with Taiwan and sent out signals of support. During this trip, Tsai Ing-wen met with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi also reiterated the U.S. Congress's commitment to the people and freedom of Taiwan.
Regarding Taiwan-U.S. relations after the Trump-Xi meeting, Dai Yamen observed that the U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed, and Taiwan should always maintain a positive attitude and proactive communication to reassure the United States of its responsibility to Taiwan and Taiwan's role as a good economic and political partner of the United States in the region, and to maintain cooperation in investment, technology, and many other things.
Diaman believes that as a retiring president, Tsai Ing-wen goes international, tells Taiwan's story, and explains Taiwan's achievements, values, importance, and responsibilities. "This is crucial to Taiwan's status and security in the world."
