Most respected Madam Neyts, Former President of "Liberal International (LI)" and Chairwoman of "European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR)," Senator Biazon of the Republic of Philippines, Members of Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentleman: Good Evening!
"Let us forever pass on the torch of freedom, democracy and human rights; may the glory of Asia's freedom and democracy illuminate the whole world!" Before I hand over the great responsibility of CALD chairmanship to my successor, these words are the most determined aspiration and best wishes I want to share with all our friends in the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats. Over the past twenty months, with the invaluable assistance from member parties and friends of CALD, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party successfully completed its term of service as the chair party; and we will now pass on the torch to the incoming chair party—Liberal Party of the Philippines.
Over the past two years, Democratic Progressive Party and CALD have shared many first-time experiences together. For one, since I assumed office as the President of Taiwan, it was the first time I took on the chairmanship of an international organization. Secondly, our Legislator Bi-khim Hsiao of DPP became the youngest ever and arguably the most outstanding secretary-general since CALD was first established. Furthermore, in order to enhance CALD's organizational efficiency, with the assistance of Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, DPP sponsored a full-time Taiwanese resident staff to CALD's Secretariat in Manila, making it the first time that efforts had been made by Taiwan to be involved in CALD's administrative operations abroad.
As the chair party, DPP for the first time organized missions to CALD's member parties' home countries last year, providing support to our allied parties' election campaigns and sharing experience amassed from observing elections in different countries. Likewise, the support and encouragement you brought us with your visit to Taiwan in the heat of our election campaign was profoundly appreciated by all of us in DPP.
More importantly, I remember in March of this year, I made the promise to invite all of you to Taipei Guest House upon the completion of its renovation. Tonight, your visit here gave us the honor and pleasure to fulfill this promise. Where we gather tonight—the Taipei Guest House, with 104 years of history—was constructed during Japan's occupation and was the residence of the then Japanese Governor-General. Subsequently, during the Kuomintang era, Taipei Guest House stood as a symbol of the authoritarian rule. It was only after Taiwan underwent democratic transformations that restrictions were finally lifted to allow general access to governmental buildings such as this one. All of you are democratic activists and are of course most welcomed here. Tonight's banquet, therefore, marks the very first time Taipei Guest House hosts our good friends from the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.
As we all know: "a friend in need is a friend indeed" as trials and tribulations in life often bring out the most genuine friendship. We recall that in March of this year when CALD held it's Executive Committee Meeting in Taipei, the Chinese National Congress had just passed the so-called "Anti-Separation Law." In light of this development, CALD members sprang into action to express their unwavering support for a democratic Taiwan by passing resolution to denounce China's attempt to unilaterally change the cross-Strait status quo with non-peaceful means.
Notwithstanding China's unrelenting and indiscriminate repression of Taiwan, your timely and honorable assistance, which is founded on our shared ideals in democracy and freedom, has time and again given Democratic Progressive Party the vital moral support we need.
We note also that last year, Mr. Sam Rainsy, Chairman of Cambodia's Sam Rainsy Party and his colleagues were arrested or forced into exile for being outspoken reform advocates in the Cambodian National Assembly. In the face of the authoritarian clout, they were undaunted and resolute in their pursuit for democracy and freedom; we would like to hereby recognize and applaud the efforts of these courageous freedom fighters whom we admire deeply.
A few days ago, in my National Day Address, apart from reaffirming Taiwan's determination and concrete action plans to promote democracy in Asia's community of democracies, I also unveiled the Six Reform Priorities that form the roadmap for my administration in the next few years; among them are constitutional reform, financial reform, tax reform, and reform of the media culture. In addition, we renewed our commitment to impose zero tolerance for corruption and to spare no effort in implementing all reform measures. I believe these priorities not only epitomize the vision we have in deepening Taiwan's democracy; they are also concrete steps taken by Taiwan's government to attain the goals set forth by the Council of Liberals and Democrats. In the future, Taiwan will continue to play an active role—that of an engine as well as the nexus—to unite all our partners in the quest for democracy and freedom. And together, let us strive toward the ultimate aspiration embedded in our common humanity to bring about a greater civilization pillared on democracy and freedom.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to Liberal International and Madam Annemie Neyts. As a result of the enthusiastic endorsement by Madam Neyts in last year's LI Asia Conference in Kaohsiung, many Women's political forums, including this one, have been held to foster greater exchange among women in politics. On this occasion, I also want to congratulate Madam Neyts for being elected Chairwoman of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. I believe taking the helm of ELDR, Madam Neyts will continue to play an instrumental role in the expansion of bilateral interaction and cooperation between liberal democratic alliances from Asia and Europe.
From this day on, Democratic Progressive Party will step down as CALD's chair party for the time being. We cherish the amazing experience of working with all of you and we must say it is not easy leaving this position we have held for more than two years. But, I believe the party that will shoulder the paramount responsibilities of being CALD's chair party henceforth—the Liberal Party of the Philippines—brings to CALD a wealth of experience in Asian democratic politics. Therefore, I am fully convinced that under the leadership of Senator Drilon, the new CALD Chairman from Liberal Party of the Philippines, and with the support and collective efforts of members of CALD, democratic movements in Asia will continue to flourish and scale new heights in the years to come.
In closing, let me express my most heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you. Thank you.