President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday said she believed that the bipartisan support in the United States for Taiwan will lead to a closer friendship between the two countries as they seek new areas for cooperation.

The president made the remarks in a video address played at the 2020 National Democratic Institute (NDI) Celebration of Democracy Gala, held virtually at 4:00 p.m. U.S. EST on Tuesday.

The Washington-based NDI was established in 1983 in response to a call from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan to promote freedom and democracy around the world.

"We are grateful that for over past decades, the U.S. has always stood by its friend and partner, Taiwan," Tsai said in the video, which was posted on Taiwan's Office of the President website.

"The bipartisan consensus over the strength of our relationship and the depth of our values has never been greater and more robust," she said.

"This has been a great source of reassurance to the people of Taiwan. And I am confident that our friendship will continue to grow closer as we seek new areas of cooperation and collaboration."

In the video, she recalled Taiwan's path to democracy, from the establishment of Taiwan's first opposition party in 1986, the struggles for democracy and human rights, to Taiwan's transformation into one of the world's most vibrant democracies today.

She cited Taiwan's legalization of same-sex marriage in May 2019, the establishment of the first National Human Rights Commission in August 2020, and the current discussions on lowering the voting age in the Legislature as examples of Taiwan's continuing efforts to advance democracy and human rights.

The president also urged everyone to be vigilant of challenges to democracy faced by Taiwan and the region, such as disinformation campaigns, influence operations and the suppression of freedom in Hong Kong.

"Our democracy does not exist in a vacuum. The rights we have worked so hard to secure are seen by others as a threat and a constant source of tension and friction," she said.

The NDI event was held to honor U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi for winning NDI's Democracy Award with her leadership as a female political leader, and for her defense of democracy and human rights around the globe.

In her video, Tsai also lauded Pelosi for her "contributions at home and abroad in staunchly supporting democracy and civil liberties" and congratulated Kamala Harris on her election as the United States' first female vice president.

"It is these values we share today that bring Taiwan and the U.S. together like never before. We are proud that in our countries, we see women occupy some of the highest echelons of political office," she said.