Press Release

"Taiwan is an important value-partner for us"

Taipei/Berlin, March 21st, 2023

On March 21st, 2023, in the presence of with Germany´s Research-Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom (FNF) opened its new „Global Innovation Hub“ in Taipei, Taiwan. The "Global Innovation Hub" will coordinate the foundation´s activities related to innovation and digitalization around the world. The "Global Innovation Hub" used to be in Hong Kong until 2020, when it was decided to close the office there due to the "National Security Law".

Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Paqué, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom: “As an organization dedicated to promoting freedom, democracy and the rule of law, we believe that innovation is a critical tool in the fight for a free and democratic world. Innovation enables citizens to participate, to support transparency and to control governments. With its vibrant and dynamic civil society and its young and tech-savvy democrats, Taiwan is the perfect location. Taiwan has a wealth of talent and expertise.”

Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research of Germany: “We are strengthening ties with those around the globe who share our values. Taiwan is an important value-partner for us. We share a desire for freedom,for democracy and for empowering its institutions and its citizens.”

Audrey Tang, Minister for Digital Affairs of Taiwan: “This is an auspicious time to bring our global democratic partners together in unison. We welcome the Global Innovation Hub of FNF to Taiwan. I would like to show my great gratitude to Dr. Karl-Heinz Paqué for choosing Taiwan as the strong ally of FNF to reinvent democracy in this digital era.”