Vice President Lu, Premier Yu, Secretary-General Chen, Secretary-General Chiou, Minister Tang, Vice Minister Kau, Friends from the Media, My Fellow Countrymen:
Good morning.
One year ago on September 11, the United States came under unprecedented terrorist attacks. The world watched in shock as the twin towers of the New York World Trade Center collapsed, causing great destruction and loss of life. Among the victims were even some of our own compatriots from Taiwan. On the eve of the anniversary of this disaster, on behalf of the government and the people of Taiwan I would like to again express my condolences and sympathies to the victims and their families. We also would like to express our greatest respect for those unsung heroes who have committed themselves to the global anti-terrorism campaign and behind-the-scenes humanitarian relief over the past year.
The September 11 attacks have had a colossal impact on the world. Whether in the form of substantive threat or psychological intimidation, terrorism continues to haunt the world. The topic of terrorism and how to fight it has been extensively discussed over the past year. Both internationally and in Taiwan, the media return again and again to this tragic incident, offering new insights and points of view. The September 11 tragedy proves that no country or people can stand aloof when faced with the threat of global terrorism and the call to battle terrorism.
Terrorism is not just a threat to freedom and democracy; it represents the regression of human civilization. Taiwan, as an active member of the global democratic community, feels strongly that appeasement cannot stop the terrorist threat to any individual country or a region as a whole. Only when every member of the international community stands firmly against terrorism can we ensure freedom for the people of the world and protect democratic society from the threat of violence. Therefore, our government made its position clear immediately after the September 11 Incident: we support the actions of the anti-terrorism coalition headed by the United States to strike effectively against terrorist organizations. Taking Resolution 1373 of the UN Security Council as our guide, we have worked side by side with the rest of the world to defend long-term peace and stability.
Over the past year, Taiwan has given its support and cooperation to the anti-terrorism campaign. We have also provided substantial humanitarian aid to innocent people affected by these events. Since the beginning of the anti-terrorism campaign in October 2001, trucks emblazoned with the emblems "Love from Taiwan" and "Taiwan Care" have delivered loads of relief supplies to Afghan refugees. Many volunteers from private charity organizations have also visited Afghanistan to assist the reconstruction work. This humanitarian care knows no borders, and whether through the government or private organizations, it will continue to flow to Afghanistan, providing relief and new hope in this time of need.
In terms of the world situation, the September 11 attacks have changed our understanding of traditional threats and military scenarios. This incident has also changed regional and international strategic frameworks and indirectly brought about the rearrangement of the post-Cold War international structure. Over the past year, many countries have adopted foreign policy measures to accommodate the campaign against terrorism. Even more have undertaken internal restructuring and legal changes to cope with these new threats and forms of war, and thus ensure the security of their homelands. Major countries around the world have now established special anti-terrorism organizations, revised related laws to fight terrorism, and strengthened the anti-terrorist capabilities of their special forces. These measures are worthy of our study and consideration.
Taiwan is an important gateway to the Asia-Pacific. Its strategic importance in the areas of human resources, information, finance and technology cannot be ignored. Our provision of medical aid and humanitarian assistance as well as the great vitality of our civic organizations have also caught the attention of the international community. The future global fight against terrorism has many fronts, from tracking down terrorists, exchanging anti-terrorism intelligence, and the regulation of exports to stopping drug trafficking and money laundering. The exclusion of Taiwan would leave a hole in the anti-terrorism campaign. Taiwan must therefore stay on top of changes in the region and internationally and play an active role in the international anti-terrorism movement.
Recent developments bear witness to the fact that the Asia-Pacific region has become an important link in the international anti-terrorism campaign. The success of the fight against terrorism will depend on the cooperation of Asia-Pacific countries. However, three other aspects concerning the issue require special attention as well: the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, the consolidation and expansion of democracy, and the cooperation and development of the economy. Democracy, the economy and security are the three pillars that ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. They are also the best weapons to prevent terrorism from growing.
Consequently, democracy, the economy, security, and anti-terrorism have been the most important interlocked issues on the agenda of the two major strategic meetings that I convened recently. In addition to the overall strategy to deepen democracy, expand economic prosperity, and consolidate national security, Taiwan should reassess and seek a new position with respect to our response to the global fight against terrorism and changes in the Taiwan-China situation.
As for our national security, China has long been making plans to wage "unlimited war" against Taiwan. These plans call for sudden, full-scale attacks, undertaken without warning, using "fifth column" infiltrators, cruise missiles, nuclear electromagnetic pulses (NEMP), biological and chemical weapons, and computer network attacks to destroy Taiwan's infrastructure and command system and damage our political, economic, and financial centers. The goal of such tactics is to devastate the morale of our armed forces and citizens. This threat is strikingly similar to terrorism in nature.
China has currently deployed 400 tactical guided missiles against Taiwan—192 in Jiangxi and 208 in Fujian. Furthermore, China has been adding to this arsenal at a rate of 50 missiles a year. This situation poses a grave threat to security in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region, and has raised serious concerns in the international community. Indeed, the threat of these missiles and the fear they provoke among the Taiwanese people have already surpassed the dread of a terrorist attack.
People have the right to live free from fear. This concept is not only enshrined in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it is also a core value of the international community's fight against terrorism. When Taiwan's 23 million citizens have firmly committed themselves to the global fight against terrorism, there is no reason why they should continue to live under the shadow of China's military threat. On September 5, 2002, the European Parliament passed by a majority a resolution calling on Beijing to withdraw the missiles deployed against Taiwan and to gradually reduce its stockpile. This vote not only demonstrates the global concern over Taiwan-China relations but also reinforces the consistent opposition to China's use of force against Taiwan.
As US Secretary of State Colin Powell once put it, Taiwan is not a problem, but a success story. The achievements made by the Taiwanese people over the past half century are a successful example of democratic and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region. It is because we so dearly treasure the fruits of our own democracy and freedom that we are more than willing to stand up and join the global fight against terrorism and defend the universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Thus, we would once again like to call on Beijing to recognize the true meaning of democracy and the fight against terrorism and publicly renounce the use of military force against Taiwan. We invite them to join us in a rational dialogue to pursue stable Taiwan-China relations and work together for world peace.
My dear fellow countrymen: Pursuing democracy and peace, safeguarding freedom and human rights, ensuring the existence and development of Taiwan, and defending the well-being of our people are not just common goals of the 23 million citizens of Taiwan; they are the common responsibilities of the entire international community. Similarly, the September 11 terrorist attacks did not affect only the United States. They have repercussions for the security and development of the whole world, including the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, as a member of the international community, Taiwan has the responsibility to participate in the global anti-terrorism campaign. This is especially true since Taiwan's participation concerns our security and international standing. On the eve of the anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks, let us all pledge our faith and unite together to jointly shoulder the responsibilities of democracy as we respond to the call to fight against terrorism. Let us hope that the day will come soon when the international community can return to more peaceful and tranquil times.
Thank you.