Distinguished scholars and Conference participants; Chairman Lin of Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies (ITDSS);
Deputy Defense Minister Tsai: Good morning!
First, I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to all of you who have come to Taiwan to participate in the "Fifth International Conference on Vision of Democracy and Security in the Asia-Pacific Region," organized by Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies (ITDSS). On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and people of Taiwan, I would like to express my highest respect to all of you for forgoing your Thanksgiving vacation to attend this conference.
Last week, US President Bush delivered a speech in Kyoto, Japan, and he made the following remarks to praise Taiwan's democracy. He said, "By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society." President Bush further stated emphatically that economic liberalization in Taiwan has helped fuel its desire for individual political freedom—because men and women who are allowed to control their own wealth will eventually insist on controlling their own lives and their own future. Besides applauding Taiwan's democracy and freedom as an exemplary success in Asia, President Bush also urged China to expedite its own democratic reforms.
I would like to echo President Bush's statements on democracy and his affirmation for a democratic Taiwan; at the same time, I also want to once again call upon the international community to heed the so-called "rise of China." I believe the "rise of China" must be accompanied by "a peaceful emergence" and "the beginning of democracy," instead of "military expansion" or "belligerent rhetoric and military intimidation toward Taiwan." China must first become fully democratized, able to uphold freedom and human rights for its own people, and respect Taiwan people's rights and interests in seeking our continued existence and developments. Only when these goals are achieved can the cross-Strait relations be developed on a sound foundation that creates win-win situation for both sides of the Strait as well as providing real protection for regional security.
Asia-Pacific security is inextricably linked to democracy. We must understand that only by allowing democracy to flourish all across the Asia-Pacific region will peace and security be fully attained. At present, there are two potential "hot spots" in the Asia-Pacific region where conflicts may arise—the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait. Contentions in these areas have all originated from an undemocratic regime's attempts to employ force and intimidation to unilaterally change the peaceful status quo in the region, thereby posing serious threats to regional peace and stability.
In view of the new Asia-Pacific security situation, a special report in the latest issue of Time Magazine had characterized the security alliance between the United States and Japan as one shared by two "brothers in arms." I am convinced that all members of the "Asian community of democracies" should, in the same spirit, work together as "a coalition of brothers in arms" to establish "democratic alliance and partnership." In doing so, I believe, we can elevate the quality of democracy in Asia and safeguard Asia-Pacific peace, security and order.
As a faithful defender of international peace, security and world order, Taiwan must forge ahead on the path to consolidating and deepening democracy, in the hope of motivating non-democratic countries, including China, to commence their respective democratization. At the same time, Taiwan must also strengthen its own defense capabilities to safeguard Taiwan’s democratic developments.
Over the past few years, China has actively expanded its armament and enacted the so-called "Anti-separation Law," which stipulates the use of "non-peace means" to resolve issues in the Taiwan Strait. China's actions have cast a dark cloud over the balance of military power cross the Taiwan Strait while impacting also regional peace and stability. This in fact has invoked grave concerns from many Asia-Pacific countries such as the Untied States and Japan.
To preserve Taiwan's democratic development and regional security, my administration is committed to demonstrate our steadfast resolve in our own self-defense. In the future, we plan to invest more resources to restructure our national defense. Besides raising the annual defense budget to 3% of our national GDP by 2008, we will proactively proceed with national defense transformation. Our goal is to establish an adequate and effective national defense force. I would like to hereby reaffirm that Taiwan does not intend to engage in arms race with China. But we recognize that national defense provides the necessary foundation for Taiwan's existing democracy and prosperity. Therefore, we have the utmost determination to continue to strive for the safeguard of Taiwan's democracy and regional security.
In closing, let me once again express my appreciation to all our friends from abroad who have for a long time given your valuable support to Taiwan's democracy and regional security. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies (ITDSS) over the years. Lastly, I wish the Conference great success. Thank you.