Respect for each country’s priorities is the Foreign Ministry’s guiding principle in building relationships with ASEAN and South Asian countries. The ministry continues to build on its policy framework of “three strategic chains” and work with partner nations to promote regional peace and prosperity, while ensuring all parties can make free choices. Those statements came from Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) speaking at a conference on Thursday, October 1.

The South and Southeast Asia Association Taiwan and the Foreign Ministry’s Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (IDIA) hosted an international conference on new dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Minister Chen was invited to deliver remarks.

Chen laid out Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) concept of Taiwan’s “three strategic chains,” encompassing the first island chain, the non-red supply chain, and the global democratic values chain. He emphasized that these chains strengthen Taiwan’s role in regional security and prosperity, and are critical to Taiwan’s partnerships with ASEAN and South Asia. He added that engagement with those countries begins with respecting their priorities and individual circumstances.

Chen noted that the Indo-Pacific region, including Southeast and South Asia, shares a common interest in peace, security, and freedom. He explained that in practice, this means continued cooperation is possible in areas like maritime information sharing, critical infrastructure protection, and disaster prevention.

Chen stressed that military coercion disrupts trade, and economic dependence constrains political choice. By contrast, secure seas invite investment, diversified supply chains reduce vulnerability to coercion, and public trust strengthens protection. Chen said that for this reason, Taiwan’s “three strategic chains” must reinforce one another. The country remains willing to help partners grow, backing its efforts up with its technological strength and democratic experience. The Foreign Ministry will continue working hand in hand with partner countries to promote regional peace and prosperity, while ensuring that all parties remain “open to free choice.”