Film screening „Invisible Nation“
Taiwan after the elections - How has the East Asian democracy changed after liberal President Tsai Ing-Wen’s two terms in office ?
Free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Taiwan on 13 January 2024. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a liberal partner party of the FDP, once again emerged as the strongest force. With the election of former Vice President Lai Ching-Te as new President, the electorate has expressed its support for the DPP’s foreign and security policy. Domestically, however, it will be more difficult for Lai Ching-Te to govern, as the DPP lost its majority in parliament, whilst President Tsai Ing-Wen was previously able to rely on an absolute parliamentary majority, allowing her to implement many reforms.
In terms of security policy, relations with the People’s Republic of China remain the most important issue. The Chinese Communist Party’s provocative military behaviour towards Taiwan is extremely worrying. An attack on Taiwan is being openly discussed as a real political option by President Xi Jinping. As democracies, we must not accept this.
Thanks to the Free Democrats, the traffic light coalition agreement is the first German coalition agreement ever to express support for Taiwan. The parliamentary group of the Free Democrats in the German Bundestag also worked towards clear language on Taiwan when negotiating the German government’s new China strategy. Taiwan is an important, reliable and trustworthy partner for us, for example in research, digital and healthcare policy. As a model democracy in East Asia, Taiwan is also part of the international democratic community.
After two terms under liberal President Tsai Ing-Wen, Taiwan has further strengthened its democratic and liberal foundations. We want to take this as an opportunity to watch the documentary film „Invisible Nation“ by Vanessa Hope. The film looks at the work of Taiwan’s first female president during her time in office. Afterwards, we would like to discuss the film and Taiwan with you.
When? Monday, 19 February 2023, admission from 10:45 a.m. Start of the event 11:15 a.m.
Where? Main meeting room of the parliamentary group of the Free Democrats
- Welcome address: Ulrich Lechte MdB, Foreign Policy Spokesman of the Free Democrats‘ parliamentary group and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Introduction of Cinema for Peace and Vanessa Hope
- Film screening from 11:45 a.m. (The film screening will be in English.)
- Discussion with filmmaker Vanessa Hope and Prof. Jhy-Wey Shieh, Taipeh Vertretung in Berlin
- Closing words: Christine Aschenberg-Dugnus MdB
We look forward to seeing you!
Monday, 19 February 2024, 11:15 am - 2:30 pm
German Bundestag Reichstag Building, Walter-Rathenau-Saal 3N039 (parliamentary group meeting room) Platz der Republik 1 11011 Berlin