The Taiwan-France digital resilience exchange is essential for enhancing cybersecurity and digital security, promoting the sharing of best practices, emphasising the significance of digital literacy and co-creation, and bolstering Taiwan’s international recognition and participation.
With this, Audrey Tang, the Minister of Digital Affairs in Taiwan, recently met with a French delegation to discuss enhancing digital resilience. The delegation, comprised of Alain Richard, Vice President of the French Senate and Chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group, and senators from various parties, visited Taiwan to strengthen ties and cyber defences through collaborative partnerships on cybersecurity and digital security issues.
Minister Audrey and the French delegation discussed several digital governance issues during the meeting. The French side expressed concern regarding digital governance; in response, the Minister presented Taiwan’s “Shared by All, Cash for Everyone” policy.
This policy enables online registration for all services, including ATMs and post office terminals. The minister emphasised that it is not necessary to develop new applications in response to policy requirements and that the existing comprehensive identity verification mechanism and the combination of information flow and payment flow can be utilised in the future to promote digital public construction.
In accordance with the Data Governance Act (DGA) of the European Union, Minister Audrey stated that Taiwan is preparing a legal framework to promote “Data Altruism,” which encourages all sectors to share non-personal data for the public benefit. The objective is to enhance the democratic alliance’s social resilience.
The Minister also emphasised that, in response to digital hazards, citizens’ digital literacy is the most important factor. She invited all sectors to propose innovative solutions for the public good at the Presidential Hackathon and to establish partnerships with public officials to enhance policies and democratic values in the digital age.
The French delegation lauded Taiwan for being a digital pioneer among democratic nations and expressed optimism that the visit would build on Taiwan’s successful digital development model and put the spirit of co-creation into practice in infrastructure and service design systems.
The visit of the French delegation to Taiwan exemplifies the close relationship between France and Taiwan. The Taiwan Friends Group was represented by Senators Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, Valérie Boyer, Brigitte Devésa, and Executive Secretary Philippe Péjo.
Further, as the frequency and severity of digital threats continue to rise, it is imperative that nations collaborate to strengthen their cyber defences and resilience. Both nations have made substantial advances in digital development and governance, and they can learn from one another to improve their respective digital ecosystems.
In addition, the Taiwan-France digital resilience exchange has significant advantages for both countries, including the sharing of best practices and innovative solutions, the development of digital resilience, the strengthening of economic ties, and the promotion of Taiwan’s international recognition and participation.
Also, the exchange emphasises the significance of digital literacy and co-creation. As Minister Audrey highlighted that citizens’ digital literacy is the primary defence against digital threats. Promoting the spirit of co-creation enables all sectors to propose innovative solutions for the public benefit, which can be implemented through partnerships with public officials to improve policies and enhance democratic values in the digital era.
The exchange with France demonstrates that Taiwan is a valued partner in the global community and that it has much to offer in the realm of digital development and governance.
