On 17 July, President Tsai Ing-wen received a delegation led by Secretary-General Christophe Deloire from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes press freedom. In the meeting, the president said the decision by RSF to open its first Asian bureau in Taipei City reflects global recognition of efforts by the government to promote democracy and protect press freedom in Taiwan.
Calling the decision to establish the bureau very significant and a great honour, the president expressed her hope that it would encourage more NGOs to follow suit so Taiwan can play an even greater role in advancing human rights worldwide. President Tsai also highlighted the longstanding ties shared by Taiwan and RSF, and thanked the organisation for insisting Taiwanese journalists receive equal treatment in international settings, thus helping other countries understand the challenges Taiwan faces in the global arena.
Citing Taiwan’s vibrant civil society, excellent network infrastructure, first-rate professionals, and globally acclaimed living environment, the president said Taiwan is one of the best countries for RSF to establish an office. The new bureau will also encourage the Taiwanese people to pay more attention to press freedom issues, while Taiwan’s civil society will become an indispensable part of the movement for global press freedom, the president added.
The meeting was held one day before RSF officially opened its first Asia bureau in Taipei on 18 July. According to RSF, the new bureau will focus on East Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Mongolia. It will serve as a strategic platform to exercise influence and action where the RSF is engaged, such as advocacy on behalf of press rights, awareness-building in support of specific campaigns, and assistance to journalists.
RSF, which is also known by its French name Reporters Sans Frontières, has 11 other offices worldwide, in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Stockholm, Tunis, Vienna, and Washington DC. It also has representatives in 130 countries.
