Taiwan held its first official commemoration of the end of World War II( in Europe, with President Lai Ching-te urging freedom-loving people and nations to unite against rising authoritarian threats.

The 80th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe’, which was marked on Thursday, was attended by representatives from 17 countries and the European Union.

At the ‘From VE Day to Every Day’ event in Taipei, a film shown to diplomats from Europe ended with a powerful message.

“Eighty years on, we still remember that only unity can deter expansionist ambitions and defeat aggression,’’ said the message.

Mr Lai urged democracies to stand united before risks escalate into crises, and crises fuel expansionist ambitions.

“Only then can we continue on for generations with our current way of life; only then can we retain our human dignity and values.

“Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. WWII was undoubtedly the deadliest war in human history, and the pain that it caused has echoed even to the present day,’’ Mr Lai said.

Mr Lai also mentioned that WWII erupted because the world underestimated the aggressors’ ambitions, and victory came from united efforts to resist and protect homelands.

The Taiwanese president added that the former Axis Powers are now respected democracies, while authoritarianism leads to violence and inequality.

He said that now Taiwan and Europe face shared threats from a new authoritarian bloc, including deliberate sabotage of undersea communication cables, disinformation disrupting democratic elections and the threat of grey-zone tactics undermining international rules and open markets.

Mr Lai’s speech took place a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s May 9 Victory Day parade, attended by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Since 1949, Taiwan has operated as an independent government, but China has considered it part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to annexe it, even by force if necessary.

In recent years, Taiwan has made exceptional efforts to strengthen ties with European countries that lack formal diplomatic relations.

Former president Tsai Ing-wen plans to visit Europe on Friday, with stops in Lithuania and Denmark to boost democratic ties.

At the Taipei event, Lutz Güllner, head of the European Economic and Trade Office, said WWII was enabled by the weak democracy of the Weimar Republic.

This failed to stop the rise of the authoritarian Nazi regime, which wanted to dominate Europe and the world.

Highlighting European integration and democracy as a success story, Mr Güllner said.

“It shows we can learn from history,” he added. “Safeguarding peace and prosperity requires effort and determination, but it is achievable.’’

(dpa/NAN)