It was a who’s who of Taiwan officials at the opening of the 2021 Open Parliament Forum. Taiwan’s president, its vice president, and its legislative speaker were there to welcome 26 lawmakers and experts from 20 countries. One guest from the U.S. struck up a special rapport with Legislative Speaker You Si-kun. The two of them bonded over the shared experience of being blacklisted by Beijing.

The 2021 Open Parliament Forum kicked off Thursday in Taipei, with both the president and vice president in attendance.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Taiwan is at the very forefront on democracy’s defensive line. We are willing to share our experience with the world, and look forward to strengthened cooperation in the future, to make our defensive front even more solid, even tougher.

At Taiwan’s summit on democracy, 26 parliamentarians and academics from 20 countries were in attendance. In a video message, former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said that Taiwan had now changed ruling parties three times, and that democracy was now firmly planted in the hearts of Taiwanese. In a recorded message, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the U.S. would continue to stand with Taiwan. Other guests braved the pandemic to attend the summit in person.

Derek Mitchell
Former deputy assistant secretary of defense
I’m together with Taiwan, to make an effort for the Open Parliament Forum, to make an effort for democracy. Taiwan, keep fighting!

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia Derek Mitchell, whose wife is Taiwanese, recalled that day 33 years ago when he visited Taiwan for the first time.

In accordance with pandemic regulations, Mitchell arrived in Taiwan through a “diplomatic travel bubble.” But pandemic or no, Mitchell was intent on greeting Legislative Speaker You Si-kun with an elbow bump. Mitchell was sanctioned by Beijing over his support for the Hong Kong democracy movement. Likewise, You is blacklisted by China for being, quote, a “stubborn Taiwan separatist.”

You Si-kun
Legislative Speaker
He’s the son-in-law of Taiwanese parents, and I’m a Taiwanese son. So, we have quite a lot in common. Mr. Mitchell was conferred with a badge of honor by Beijing. I believe this has considerably raised his stature internationally.

Derek Mitchell
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
China has sort of created a small club of people who are now sanctioned. We don’t know precisely what it means, but I think it says more about them than it does about us. All we’re doing is supporting democratic values. We’re promoting a positive agenda.

Officials said that the more China pressures democracies, the more democracies are moved to unite.