Chairman Madsen, Minister Chen, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen:
I am very grateful for this opportunity to take part in this teleconference with parliamentarians from the five Nordic countries, as well as other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I thank Chairman Madsen, as well as all of you, for your hard work in making the Nordic Conference on Taiwan possible. Secondly, I would like to thank all parliamentarians from the five Nordic countries, and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, for participating in this event and supporting Taiwan.
Since I assumed office as president four years ago, the direction of my government's policies has been based on a desire to deepen democracy in Taiwan, promote human rights, and adhere to the principles of a market economy in order to increase Taiwan's international competitiveness. In terms of deepening democracy, we recently held the first referendum in Taiwan's history. Through referendums, the people of Taiwan are able to express their opinions about major issues of national development. The government can refer to the results of referendums when deciding on policies.
In the field of human rights protection, Taiwan has decided to include three international human rights conventions in our domestic law. The National Human Rights Commission was established in order to better engage with the international human rights system. Furthermore, individuals who were imprisoned and treated unfairly during the era of martial law have now received reasonable compensation, and their reputations have been restored.
With respect to economic prosperity, the government of Taiwan has followed on from the "ten major projects" by planning for an infrastructure investment project. Approximately NT$500 billion shall be invested in this project. This project will lay a sound and solid foundation for sustainable economic development in Taiwan, and will increase Taiwan's competitiveness in the international community.
In addition, the government of Taiwan has done that which is required of it by introducing educational, judicial and financial reforms, and by eradicating political corruption (known in Taiwan as "black and gold politics"). In actively promoting these sorts of reforms, we have already achieved a great deal.
Honorable parliamentarians, ladies and gentlemen: All the aforementioned ideas are shared by the five Nordic countries. Your countries have always upheld democracy and human rights, and in national development, you have maintained balance and stability. In this regard, you are spiritual allies of Taiwan, as well as our role models.
During the course of my next four-year term as president, I will continue to make efforts to deepen democracy in Taiwan, protect human rights, and enhance the prosperity of our market economy. One policy that is a particularly high priority for us is constitutional reform. Taiwan’s constitution was introduced more than five decades ago. Many parts of it—such as those relating to the protection of human rights, the streamlining of government agencies, and the number of legislators—need to be changed in keeping with the times. I will combine the will of people, and shall encourage cross-party consensus and the participation of constitutional experts. Together, we will create a new constitution for Taiwan. This new constitution will have to be decided upon by the people as a whole, and shall therefore be put to a referendum once it is completed.
On another point, I have urged mainland China to solve differences across the Taiwan Strait through dialogue based on the principle of peace, and have urged mainland China to work hand-in-hand in building a framework for long-term, stable and peaceful interaction. We hope to open dialogue with China as soon as possible without any precondition set forth by either side.
Although the Nordic countries are located distant away from Taiwan, we share the same values and beliefs on issues regarding democracy, human rights, and peace. We have great hopes that our friends from the Nordic countries will continue to affirm the pursuit of democracy, human rights, and peace by the people of Taiwan and urge other countries in the European Union to refrain from lifting arms embargo on China – unless China expresses greater respect for human rights and democracy as well as abandoning its missile deployment against Taiwan - in order to avoid impacting the stability in the Taiwan Strait and Asia-Pacific region. Based on the founding spirit of the Nordic countries, I hope that our friends from northern Europe will also lend a helping hand, and will actively and concretely support Taiwan as we strive to gain accession to WHO and have an equal part in international organizations and global affairs – so as to ensure that the people of Taiwan have the equitable rights and welfare as citizens of the World.
In closing, I would like to once again thank Chairman Madsen for hosting this conference, and all distinguished participants for participating. I am sure that the Nordic Conference on Taiwan will be a great success. Thank you!