CALD Hosts First Southeast Asia Screening of “Invisible Nation”

“What does it take to defend democracy under constant threat?”

This was the question that inspired the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) to host the first ever screening of the riveting documentary Invisible Nation in Southeast Asia.

Held on 31 October 2025 in Bangkok, the jampacked screening took place in cooperation with the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Southeast and East Asia (FNF SEEA). Members of CALD, FCCT, FNF, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Thailand, and the general public attended the screening.  

Invisible Nation offers an unprecedented look into the leadership of Taiwan’s first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, as she navigates the island’s fight to preserve its autonomy and freedom amid rising authoritarian aggression.

The exclusive screening was one of the highlights of CALD’s General Assembly — the highest policy-making body of the only regional alliance of liberal and democratic parties in Asia. Through this gathering, CALD brought together liberal leaders, policymakers, and journalists to shape conversations on democracy and resilience across the region.

A panel discussion chaired by Phil Robertson, chair, FCCT program committee, and board member, followed afterwards.  The panelists included: Ngalim Tiunn, member of Legislative Yuan, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan; Chee Soon Juan, secretary general, Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore; Henrik Bach Mortensen, vice president, Liberal International, Denmark; and Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, acting president, Liberal Party of the Philippines and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Philippines.  The discussion tackled how democratic leadership, international cooperation, and civic resilience intersect in defending freedom across Asia.

Commenting on the highly successful gathering, CALD Secretary General Francis Abaya said: “We in CALD are pleased to have worked with FCCT and FNF to bring to Thailand this gripping documentary about Taiwan’s struggle for international recognition amidst the constant and intensifying pressures from China. Taiwan deserves and needs all the support that it can get from democratic friends and allies at it confronts this existential threat — not only to its survival but also to democracy’s future.”

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD