Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of September 28, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the third session of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC) 28th board of directors and supervisors meeting in Kaohsiung. In remarks, President Tsai noted that Taiwanese businesspeople are at the forefront of their various industries and leading Taiwan's international engagement. The president said that Taiwan is showing the world that it is a force for good and demonstrating that it can be a key global economic force. A translation of the president's remarks follows: Whenever I attend WTCC events, I can really feel that the Taiwanese business community is united behind the WTCC. It's deeply moving to see so many Taiwanese businesspeople having traveled from all over the world to be back home. Many others are also taking part in today's meeting online. I hope you can all come back to Taiwan soon. Last week, we announced the gradual loosening of our border restrictions. I am sure that my fellow citizens, everyone in attendance today, and all those joining us online are looking forward to our borders reopening. We are taking another step toward life as normal. On behalf of the government, I want to welcome you all, and to thank the WTCC for providing this opportunity for exchange. We also have a number of friends from the US here at today's event. This past March, when former Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo visited the Presidential Office, I invited him to visit Taiwan often. I'm very glad that we can see each other again so soon after his last visit. On behalf of the Taiwanese people, I want to welcome Mr. Pompeo, Mr. [Stephen J.] Yates, and Mr. [Christian] Whiton back to Taiwan. Thank you for recognizing Taiwan's importance and supporting Taiwan. On this trip, they have come to Kaohsiung to visit businesses and conduct exchanges with industry representatives and Taiwanese businesspeople. I am confident that this visit will greatly benefit both our nations. We look forward to further expanding Taiwan-US cooperation and exchanges. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our friends from the Taiwanese business community for working with us to advance our diplomatic efforts and introduce Taiwan to the world. At the start of the pandemic, WTCC partners donated money and supplies to many countries to fight the virus. And after Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of WTCC members traveled to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees. You are always on the frontlines, taking prompt action. For this, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you all. We also hope to work with you all to expand Taiwan's global economic and trade presence. We are closely following the situation faced by our compatriots around the world, and have initiated a relief program to work with our friends in the Taiwanese business community in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic. I have asked the Overseas Community Affairs Council to stay on top of the challenges and operational issues that you encounter abroad, and to give you the utmost support. I also want to tell you all that, as Taiwan continues to engage with the world, the international community also continues to expand its presence in Taiwan and view Taiwan favorably. Under our government's Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan, as of this month, we have seen nearly NT$1.8 trillion in cumulative investment from more than 1,250 firms. Through these efforts, we want to show the world that Taiwan is a force for good, and demonstrate that we can be a key global economic force. Taiwan's semiconductor sector is a focus of global attention. Many visitors from abroad, including last week's delegation from the Czech Republic, have told me they hope to step up exchanges with our semiconductor industry. We have been working for some time to shore up our strengths in this sector. Having already established semiconductor academies in cooperation with six schools across Taiwan, we are accelerating our efforts in talent cultivation while continuing to develop Taiwan's semiconductor industry clusters. Over the past two years, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) has worked hard to improve municipal public services, and has truly spared no effort to help Kaohsiung become a center for semiconductors, high tech, and smart technologies. Just last month here in Kaohsiung, construction started at the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park, where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has chosen to build a new plant. Set to start operation in 2024, this park is initially expected to generate more than NT$150 billion in annual output. I trust you all share my optimistic outlook on Kaohsiung's future development. Aside from semiconductors, our new Ministry of Digital Affairs was established last month. This ministry will help our businesses accelerate digital transformation, promote industrial development, and optimize Taiwan's environment for digital economic growth. Each of you is a leader in your respective industry, and is helping integrate Taiwanese business with the world. With Taiwan's capabilities, technology, and outstanding talent like you, I am confident that Taiwan can also be a leader in global industrial development. I look forward to realizing this goal together with all of you. Thank you once again to the WTCC and all of you here for your support and contributions to Taiwan. I wish you a productive annual meeting. Thank you. American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office Chief Thomas Wong and former US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo also attended the event.

On the evening of January 25 (morning of January 26 Taipei time), Vice President Lai Ching-te attended a videoconference hosted by members of Taiwan's overseas community in Los Angeles to welcome him on a stopover on his trip to Honduras. In remarks during the meeting, the vice president highlighted Taiwan's successes in disease prevention and economic development, and emphasized that Taiwan will work to overcome setbacks in order to further improve our nation and show the international community that we are an active force for good in the world.  In his remarks, the vice president explained that on this visit, he is traveling to Honduras as special envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen to attend the inauguration of the Central American country's first woman President, Xiomara Castro, and that he had specifically arranged to transit through the US as part of the itinerary. The vice president thanked the US government as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their work to make his stopover safe, smooth, and enjoyable, and added that he had also used the stopover as an opportunity to exchange views with members of US Congress on issues related to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, and Asia more broadly.   Vice President Lai thanked the members of the overseas community in Los Angeles for coming to his hotel to welcome him, and lamented that he would be unable to shake hands with or embrace his friends on this trip because of the pandemic. The vice president mentioned that there had been a relatively small-scale dinner with overseas community members originally planned for the trip, but that because the spread of the pandemic in the US, he had decided to forego the dinner in line with the priority of disease prevention and out of a desire to avoid any oversight that might bring COVID-19 back into Taiwan. The vice president expressed hope that there would nevertheless be many future opportunities for more extensive exchanges, both in Taiwan and in the US.  The vice president explained that on his trip to the Republic of Honduras, the president had given him a three-part mission – to strengthen Taiwan-Honduras ties, bilateral cooperation, and Taiwan's broader international participation – and had also instructed him to express thanks to the leaders and members of Taiwan's overseas community, including for their campaign launched in the early stages of the pandemic to donate face masks and other protective equipment. He added that members of US Congress with whom he had spoken prior to the event had also mentioned this campaign, and said he was deeply proud of the positive impact that our overseas community has had on American society. Vice President Lai mentioned that he had brought spring couplets, red envelopes, and commemorative coins as gifts, and would also present overseas community members with special hanging decorations as tokens of gratitude from Taiwan. On the subject of the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, Vice President Lai pointed out that under President Tsai's leadership, government agencies have worked together effectively, medical personnel have served bravely on the front lines of our response, and the Taiwanese people have cooperated with our government's disease prevention policies. To address the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19, relevant government agencies have made an all-out effort to promote our national vaccination program, under which, to date, more than 80 percent of Taiwanese have received at least one vaccine shot, and more than 70 percent have received at least two shots. Going forward, our government will continue working to increase third-dose coverage in order to protect the health of our people. The vice president cited members of Taiwan's medical community and public health experts in saying that though the Omicron variant is highly infectious, it has a lower morbidity rate, which has prompted considerations of how to adjust disease prevention policy, as well as an awareness that we will inevitably start to move toward coexistence with the virus. He emphasized, however, that the process would need to be conducted with all due care, and that disease prevention policy would be slowly adjusted so as to preserve social stability, prevent panic, and avoid endangering the health and welfare of our people. The vice president summarized the government's approach, saying that it will develop and implement a comprehensive policy that ensures that neither Taiwan's people, society, nor economy will be affected by the transmissibility of the Omicron variant.    The vice president said that the international community has become aware of Taiwan's strength in public health and our national unity because of our successful response to the pandemic as well as the solid industrial and commercial foundation that we have laid over the past few decades. He noted that the world saw how the creativity and technical prowess of the Taiwanese people allowed us to swiftly make up for shortages in global production capacity, and that Taiwan's economic growth rate for 2020 reached 3.11 percent, the highest among the Four Asian Tigers. In addition, the vice president pointed out that Taiwan has experienced 17 consecutive months of positive growth in export orders, which, together with these other achievements, is the result of everyone's hard work, and shows that containing the pandemic has also stabilized our economy. Vice President Lai also recalled his earlier discussion with members of US Congress, who all praised Taiwan's staunch commitment to democracy, and were also aware of the frequent incursions made by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) as well as Beijing's many disinformation campaigns and attempts to divide Taiwanese society. The vice president reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to democracy and refusal to bow to authoritarianism, and noted that the US is not the only country to firmly support Taiwan, as Taiwan is now seen as a reasonable, united, cooperative, and progressive country on the international stage. He said that democracy is in Taiwan's DNA, and that the unanimous support for Taiwan in both the Democratic and Republican parties is also key to our global image. Vice President Lai emphasized that, going forward, Taiwan will face many challenges, such as reaching our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, restructuring industrial supply chains in the wake of the pandemic, realizing the structural transformation of our economy, and navigating a changing geopolitical landscape, all of which require us to be united and which, at the same time, provide our country with opportunities for revitalization. The vice president said that, after decades of hard work and dedication, our transformation from an aid recipient to a country that offers external assistance highlights our responsibility to help others. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our overseas community has provided funds and personnel to help fight the pandemic in their local communities, and Taiwan has donated masks to countries in need. Vice President Lai said that we will view setbacks as sources of encouragement in order to further improve our nation and show the international community that Taiwan is a global force for good, and encouraged everyone to work together toward this vision. The vice president concluded by saying that the image of 40 overseas community leaders on his screen was both impressive and heartwarming as a symbol of how Taiwan has had a positive impact on places across the world. He wished everyone taking part in this meeting good health and a happy Year of the Tiger.

On the morning of October 16, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered recorded remarks at an awards ceremony for outstanding young overseas compatriots. President Tsai praised the award winners for leading the way in people-to-people diplomacy, saying that they not only are very accomplished in their own professions, but they have also helped Taiwanese business organizations worldwide flourish. The president added that she looks forward to seeing even more outstanding young expatriates excelling in various fields, continuing to help Taiwan engage with the world, and making our country a truly global Taiwan. The following is a translation of President Tsai's remarks: First, I want to congratulate all the award winners for being selected as the ten outstanding young overseas compatriots. I also want to thank the Overseas Compatriot Culture and Education Foundation for organizing these awards over the past several years to commend overseas Taiwanese for their accomplishments while also sharing their experiences with even more people. Each awardee has expertise in different areas and is highly influential. Mr. Benjamin Chou (周浩恩) developed the first ever drive-thru voting system in Texas, USA. His innovation helped keep voters safe from COVID-19 while enabling citizens to exercise their right to vote. Chou is an outstanding example in both the political and public spheres. In the field of law, Ms. Wendy Chang (張文綺) in Paraguay, Mr. Danny Chen (陳啟耕) in California, USA, and Mr. Chih-Po Albert Huang (黃志博) in South Africa have long used their legal expertise to provide expatriates with consultations and services. They have all made enormous contributions to advancing the rights and interests of overseas Taiwanese. In the field of finance, Mr. Peter C.L. Lin (林敬倫) not only teaches in the Financial Mathematics program at Johns Hopkins University, he also founded a financial technology company that has facilitated innovation in Taiwanese industries. There are five award winners in the field of commerce. Ms. Ray Jan (冉瑞宜) has spent many years in California dedicated to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises run by people of Asian descent, while also making considerable contributions to the women's rights movement. Mr. Hao-Wei Chen (陳浩維) has excelled in information security, and founded a Taiwan affinity group at Amazon to promote Taiwanese culture. Mr. Richard Tseng (曾遠喆) organized the Indonesia Taiwan Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter to promote exchanges with young Indonesian businesspeople, helping to implement our New Southbound Policy. In France, Ms. Huang Kai-lin (黃凱琳) has worked to actively build bridges between Taiwanese businesses and other countries in her role as president of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter. And in Australia, Mr. Frank Chang (張戴麒) has served as chief officer of the Melbourne Taiwan Festival, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors, successfully enhancing Taiwan's image. We are working to engage with the world, with these award winners leading the way for our people-to-people diplomacy. They not only are very accomplished in their own professions, they have also helped Taiwanese business organizations worldwide flourish. I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication. I hope that in the future there will be even more outstanding young expatriates who can, like all of you, excel in their chosen fields while continuing to help Taiwan engage with the world and turn our country into a global Taiwan. I look forward to making more progress together. Thank you!

On the morning of July 19 local time (evening of July 19 Taipei time), President Tsai Ing-wen concluded her visit to St. Lucia and made a transit stop in Denver on her way back to Taiwan following her Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability. The delegation's chartered plane arrived at Denver International Airport after a six-hour flight. Taiwan's Representative to the United States Stanley Kao (高碩泰) and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman James Moriarty boarded the plane to welcome the president. The president and her delegation subsequently proceeded to their hotel, where she received a very enthusiastic welcome from the overseas Taiwanese community. In the evening, President Tsai attended a banquet with the local and Taiwanese expatriate communities in Denver. The president thanked the expatriates for their support and said that the government is willing to share with the international community Taiwan's experience and valuable success stories. She reiterated that Taiwan will also stand firm in upholding our democracy, cherishing our freedom, and safeguarding our sovereignty, so that young people will continue to enjoy our free and democratic way of life. Following is a transcript of the president's remarks: Good evening everyone. It's great to be here in the Mile High City. First, I want to take a moment to recognize some of our good friends in the audience tonight. Of course, we have Governor Jared Polis, and Senator Cory Gardner, Congressman Doug Lamborn, and of course, Chairman Moriarty, my old friend, and who was with me in New York as well. It is wonderful to have all of you here with us, and to see friends of Taiwan here in the US. So let's give our US friends a round of applause for their support. I also want to thank members of the Colorado House and Senate for their presence today. Thank you. (End of English remarks) President Tsai continued her remarks in Mandarin and Taiwanese. Following is a translation of her remarks. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce three legislators that accompanied us on this trip: Legislators Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) , and Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟). They've been hard at work sharing the successes of our trip on social media over the past few days. Let's have a round of applause for these hardworking members of our diplomatic taskforce! I hear that the room is packed tonight. Six hundred guests showed up for this event that was meant or four hundred people. Joining us tonight are many friends from out of state, in addition to those from Colorado. They've driven a long way to be here in Denver tonight. But the person who traveled the farthest to be here tonight is me. I'm the President from Taiwan. Thank you all for driving so far to come to Denver to see me. Really, thank you so much. (End of Mandarin and Taiwanese remarks) President Tsai continued her remarks in English. Following is a transcript of the remarks: Denver is a young, diverse city known for its innovation and creativity. More than that, Denver embodies the freedom of the settlers who built this city, who bravely walked a new path to show the way for future generations. Our Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability also led us on a path to find new opportunities for sustainable growth amidst the many challenges that are facing us. This journey took us to Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia. We saw how Taiwan is working with each of these countries to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean. And seeing this work in person has only reinforced my belief that Taiwan can, and should, do more to help. We have so much experience to offer the world, whether in sustainable development, economic growth, or good governance. Taiwan's cooperation model is one of reciprocity, of growth that is both tangible and sustainable. Taiwan is and always will be a champion for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law across the globe. Many of you have probably read the speech I gave at Columbia University during our transit in New York, where I told Taiwan's story on the frontlines of democracy. As I prepared to enter the lecture hall that day, a group of Chinese protestors stood across the street, waving banners attacking my freedom of speech, and my duty to speak on behalf of my people. They sought to use their loud voices to stifle Taiwan's voice of hope, to see us back down in the face of their suppression. But I want to be very clear: The people of Taiwan are not, and will never be, intimidated. And neither was I, as I took the stage that day to proudly share our story. Each day, Taiwan stands strong in the face of suppression and growing threats, and the world needs to hear this story. In my three years as president, I have worked to make the voices of the Taiwanese people heard. And I intend to continue to do so for another four years as well. As authoritarian forces seek to subvert freedom around the world, our experiences, and our successes, serve as valuable lessons. Because democracy is our most precious asset, and we must protect it at all costs. That is why the Taiwan-US partnership, grounded in the values of freedom and democracy, is now more important than ever. The US has long worked to maintain a free, democratic, rules-based international system. And Taiwan, as a bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific, has been an ideal partner in this endeavor. Our partnership works because we hold many of the same beliefs. Like the city of Denver, we know that the future belongs to the next generation. As president, it's my job to give young people both the freedom to dream, and the opportunity to pursue those dreams. It's also my responsibility to ensure their right to choose their own future through democratic means. And I take these jobs very seriously. That is why my administration has continued to push for reforms that will transform Taiwan's economic structure, giving our economy the flexibility it needs to respond to changes in the global trade order. We have stood steadfast in our defense of Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy. And we are working to counter external forces that look to infiltrate our society by drafting new laws to defend our national security. Our work has paid off across the board. As the world continues to feel the aftershocks of the US-China trade war, Taiwanese firms are returning to invest in Taiwan in record numbers. What's more, many of the world's top innovators, such as Google and Amazon, are expanding their investments in Taiwan. They recognize that our democratic system, strong rule of law, and protection for intellectual property rights create a strong ecosystem where they can invest with confidence. This ecosystem is creating space for young people to innovate and dream big. Seeing the work they are doing, and the vision they have for our future, gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow. Despite the challenges we face, Taiwan's future is promising. The international community stands with us, and we stand determined to contribute more to freedom, democracy, and sustainable development across the globe. (End of English remarks) President Tsai continued her remarks in Mandarin and Taiwanese. Following is a translation of her remarks. Many of you abroad are concerned about Taiwan's future. I know that many of you are very anxious, and feel that China is closing in on us. By using the carrot and stick approach, China wants to force the "one country, two systems" model on Taiwan. Hong Kong is slowly losing its democratic freedoms, so a lot of people are afraid that Taiwan may one day lose its sovereignty and democracy. Taiwan is indeed under tremendous pressure. But there's only one thing that a President must do: Stand up to that pressure. Like I said, no matter whether I was transiting in New York or Denver, or even making State Visits to our diplomatic allies, China's suppression follows me everywhere. This is because they do not want to see a President of Taiwan embracing and engaging the world. The more I do, the more they protest. This freedom to protest can only be enjoyed in democratic countries. Those friends from China should cherish these freedoms that their "motherland" lacks. Just look at what recently happened in Hong Kong, and you will understand how precious freedom and democracy are. This is not just about protests. For some time now, people have seen China wage information warfare, and use disinformation to infiltrate Taiwan's society. Many international press have commented on how China takes advantage of freedom of speech in Taiwan to interfere in our media and subvert Taiwan's freedom. Over the past few years, an endless stream of disinformation has come out of nowhere to attack Taiwan, to attack the Taiwan government, and to attack me. Because we have an election coming up in 6 months, these attacks are increasing by the day. Many of these attacks are ridiculous. But if they go on long enough, they can appear to be true. So when you see questionable information, do not pass it on, immediately investigate, and help clarify it. Those 3 things will help Taiwan defend democracy and protect freedom of speech. Of course, we're already working hard to stop the flow of disinformation that undermines democracy through international cooperation and the amendment of domestic laws. And I also want everyone to know that I'm doing a lot on social media including Facebook, LINE, and Twitter. So please follow me there to get the fastest, most direct information. International and domestic suppression by China never stops. However, I can promise you all that no matter how great the pressure, I will stand firm. Taiwan will also stand firm in upholding our democracy, cherishing our freedom, and safeguarding our sovereignty. We absolutely will not buckle under pressure. I want to remind everyone: For Taiwan, the year 2020 is crucial. This is a test we have to pass. External and internal challenges are growing by the day. So now more than ever, we have to unite to defend Taiwan's democracy. Not just for yourself, and not just for Tsai Ing-wen. It's for the future of our youth. We must protect their future, so that we can all continue to enjoy a free and democratic lifestyle. In 2020, it's crucial that we defend democracy. United we stand, divided we fall. Next January, I invite you all to come back to Taiwan. Let's join forces to fight for Taiwan. Thank you, everyone. Thank you. (End of the president's remarks) AIT Chairman Moriarty noted in his remarks that the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act 40 years ago laid the foundation for the development of Taiwan-US relations, and these relations have indeed flourished. Taiwan enjoys bipartisan support in the United States. Democratic Taiwan and the United States have many shared values, and this makes people-to-people ties between the two countries all the closer. Colorado Governor Polis mentioned that it was a great honor to welcome President Tsai to Colorado on behalf of the people of his state, and that he hoped to take this opportunity to expand economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Colorado and Taiwan. Noting that Taiwan recently became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, the governor praised President Tsai for her strong leadership. Congressman Lamborn, in his remarks, stated that Taiwan and the United States have a deep friendship, and will continue to maintain close cooperative ties moving forward. He also mentioned that he will cooperate with the Trump administration to ensure regular, normalized arms sales to Taiwan. Senator Gardner said that Asia Reassurance Initiative Act was passed to ensure that arms are sold to Taiwan are normalized. He further pledged that he will continue working to enhance Taiwan-US relations, and will actively push for the signing of a free trade agreement with Taiwan. Shortly thereafter, Senator Gardner gave President Tsai a copy of the US Congressional Record as a symbol of the excellent friendship between Taiwan and the United States, and several Colorado state senators and representatives presented President Tsai with a Colorado state flag as well as a US flag.

President Tsai Ing-wen, currently traveling overseas on her Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability, attended a banquet with the local and Taiwanese expatriate communities in New York on the evening of July 12 local time (morning of July 13 Taipei time). The president thanked the expatriates for their staunch support and said that the Taiwan government will resolutely defend the right of the Taiwanese people to decide their future through democratic means. She further affirmed that the government will share with the international community Taiwan's experience in preventing the spread of disinformation, so that we can all join together in defending democratic values. In remarks to more than 1,000 assembled guests, President Tsai began by saying she was delighted to see everyone in New York, and that this was her first time in New York as president of the Republic of China (Taiwan). She often came to New York, she said, when she studied in the United States, and seeing the familiar street scenes once again brought back fond memories. As president, however, there are security considerations that prevent her from wandering freely around the streets like she did when she was young, which was a little sad. But for a president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), she said, that's a small sacrifice. The president said that, of course, she did not come to New York to relive old memories. As soon as the aircraft landed the day before, the delegation dove right in and got down to work. Our one and only objective, she said, is to lead the nation out onto the global stage. The last time she was in New York was in 2015, she said, when she was still running for president. She recalled being impressed by how passionate everyone was. And the fact that so many expatriates were present, she said, shows that everyone still has that same desire, so she hopes everyone will join her, and continue to give their all to make Taiwan a better place. President Tsai delivered remarks in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English. The following is a transcript of her remarks in English: Good evening! Thank you all for being here! It is great to be here in New York and to have this opportunity to get together with our American friends and members of the Taiwanese-American community. I want to acknowledge some of our good friends tonight, Congressman [Michael] McCaul, Congressman [Ted] Yoho, Chairman [James] Moriarty, Dr. Ed Feulner, and many others. Thank you for being here. My last time in New York was in 2015, when I spoke to nearly 1,500 Taiwanese-Americans. So you might want to say that I am pretty used to being at big gatherings in New York and I am also used to receiving a warm welcome here in New York, too. Taiwanese-Americans are integral to the fabric of society in New York. Many made the decision to serve the public by going into politics, such as New York State Senator John Liu. The Taiwan Center in Flushing was the first Taiwanese-American organization in the US and is the largest in the country. And I hear that the annual Passport to Taiwan always attracts large crowds wanting a taste of Taiwan's unique delicacies and diverse culture. This is not to mention your many successful business ventures that have helped create thousands of jobs in this city. So I think everyone here deserves a round of applause. Taiwan and New York are more alike than you might think. We both take pride in our progressive society, openness to new ideas, and tolerance for different opinions, like the noise outside this hotel. Just as the Statue of Liberty served as a symbol of American freedom lighting the way for future democracies, Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific. We have walked the long path from authoritarianism to free and open democracy. And that path was not an easy one. Yet, those who came before us were committed to seeing it through. Their legacy, our democratic achievement, belongs to all 23 million Taiwanese, and all of you here as well. Of course, with the help of our American friends. Freedom is irrevocably ingrained in every aspect of our lives, in our freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and most certainly, the freedom to run for office and exercise our right to vote. I'm sure you all know that people in Taiwan are highly attuned to politics, and we take our elections seriously. Be it in principle or in practice, freedom and democracy have become our way of life. But we cannot take Taiwan's hard-earned freedom and democracy for granted, nor can the world afford to ignore our predicament. Because freedom around the world is under threat like never before. Authoritarian abuses of power dominate the headlines. Freedom House even titled its 2019 report "Democracy in Retreat." As authoritarian regimes refine and introduce new methods of political and economic subversion, these influences are beginning to creep outward. They seek to undermine our democracy by spreading disinformation through new forms of media, blurring the line between fact and fiction. And this threat affects us all, because even established democracies have shown themselves to be vulnerable to their exploitations. Taiwan has long been on the frontlines of this battle. In recent years, Taiwan has also become a testing ground for new infiltration and influence tactics. My administration is constantly vigilant and actively pushing back. We work around the clock to safeguard our hard-earned freedom by promoting media literacy, empowering our law enforcement agencies, and updating laws and regulations to keep our country safe. Just this month, we completed major legislative amendments that are helping keep our country and people safe. We know that cybersecurity is the future of national security, and we have established a legal framework to identify and prevent the spread of disinformation. We have amended laws that will allow us to prosecute persons working for forces that seek to undermine our democracy. And we are cracking down on intelligence leaks by placing heavier restrictions on former officials and those with access to classified information. Most importantly, we are guaranteeing the Taiwanese people's right to choose their own future through democratic means. Taiwan is a bastion of democracy facing down encroaching authoritarianism. And Taiwan's existence helps safeguard democracies around the world. But we cannot do this alone. It is absolutely crucial for democracies to work together to counter the expansion of authoritarian influences. Rest assured, our government will resolutely defend our freedom, democracy and way of life. We will bolster our defenses against both conventional and hybrid threats. We are determined to safeguard our sovereignty. And we always stand ready to share our experiences and contribute to the international community. Over the past three years, we have worked day in and day out with three goals in mind: to keep Taiwan safe, transform our economy, and engage with the world. We will continue to push for reforms that foster equality and help us compete in the global market. And we will continue to work with the United States to advocate for our common values. Once again, I want to thank all of you for your unwavering support. In our ever-changing world, we need the support of our overseas community and like-minded friends in the US as we continue on the path of reform and a better future for us all. Thank you. Following President Tsai's remarks, American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James Moriarty delivered remarks of his own. He welcomed President Tsai and her delegation to New York, and noted that this was her first time in New York as president. Commenting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act, the chairman said it was extremely significant that President Tsai is visiting at this time. He pointed out that US-Taiwan relations are very close, and even though Taiwan only has a population of 23 million, it is nevertheless the 11th-largest trading partner of the United States. He added that both sides have seen relations reach new heights not only because of shared interests, but even more important, because of our shared values. Next, Freedom House president Michael J. Abramowitz delivered remarks in which he praised Taiwan for its progress as a democracy and mentioned that the more free and democratic Taiwan becomes, the more pressure it comes under from Beijing. President Abramowitz emphasized that Taiwan is a model of democracy in Asia and deserves the support of the United States and other countries throughout the world. Professor Andrew Nathan, representing the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), also delivered remarks, reading aloud from a letter written by NED president Carl Gershman. President Gershman said in his letter that it had been a great honor for him to take part last year along with President Tsai in activities marking the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Noting that President Tsai is Taiwan's first popularly elected woman president, he said this represents an important step forward for Taiwan's democracy. The challenges presented by China, he said, makes Taiwan’s democracy all the more commendable. Shortly thereafter, Freedom House president Michael J. Abramowitz and NED representative Andrew Nathan jointly presented President Tsai with a painting of the Goddess of Democracy. In addition, Mr. Wang Wei-cheng (王偉成), the director of Asian markets for the New York Mets organization, presented President Tsai with a New York Mets No. 1 jersey with the word "Taiwan" on the back.

President Lai Ching-te recently met with Stephen Yates, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center; Buck Sexton, host of the American radio program The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show; and Mr. Sexton’s brothers Mason and Keats. President Lai was also interviewed by Buck Sexton and responded to questions regarding cross-strait relations, the regional landscape, national defense, the economic and trade partnership between Taiwan and the United States, and Taiwan’s social welfare policies. The interview was broadcast on the early morning of October 7. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: One of the things we’ve noticed that has already gotten some attention back in the States is the sense of civic responsibility here, how respectful and law-biding everyone is, how safe everyone feels on your streets. It is inspiring to tell Americans about this. I also wanted to ask you about the situation right now with your neighbor, China. There’s obviously a lot of global concern about a sense of rhetoric heating up, a sense that there is a pathway now that is becoming more imminent that there could be a crisis. How do you want to describe the situation right now, for specifically an American audience? President Lai: First of all, I am very glad that you have seen a lot of things during your stay in Taiwan and that you are having a fruitful trip so far. I also want to thank you for commending our civil society. In the international community, Taiwan is often lauded as being a place where the most beautiful scenery is actually its people. Recently, due to a typhoon, a barrier lake overflowed in Hualien, causing a significant number of injuries and deaths. Streets and houses were covered in mud. Taiwanese society mobilized to help people affected. We had a long holiday weekend this past weekend. On the first day, 30,000 people traveled to Hualien to offer assistance. And on both the second and third days, another 40,000 went, meaning that over 100,000 people, of their own accord, took their shovels to help those affected. In our society, these people were referred to “superheroes with shovels.” So you can feel that in Taiwan there is a lot of warmth. People are kind. So our streets, at nighttime or daytime, are generally very safe. Your question was about Taiwan’s relations with China. I very much hope that everyone in the world who pays attention to Taiwan-China issues can be clear about several things. Firstly, the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. Taiwan is not a part of the PRC. China does not have the right to invade Taiwan. Secondly, China has been holding military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, undermining peace and stability in the region. So it is China – not Taiwan – that is disrupting the cross-strait status quo. The fact that the Taiwanese people seek to protect their sovereignty and pursue a way of life based on democracy, freedom, and human rights should not be seen as a provocation against China. Thirdly, even though Taiwan is facing increasing threats from China, Taiwan has not given up on seeking peace and mutual prosperity across the strait. We understand that peace is priceless and that there are no winners in war. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential elements of global security and prosperity. Our pursuit of peace is an ideal, not a fantasy. We believe that to achieve peace, there must be strength. Since taking office, I have implemented the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The first pillar is strengthening Taiwan’s national defense. Our defense spending, as defined by NATO, will reach 3.32 percent of GDP next year. And this will increase to 5 percent of GDP by 2030. We are procuring arms from the United States and partners across the international community. At the same time, we are promoting indigenous defense capabilities. We will work with the international community to codevelop arms, including R&D, design, and manufacturing. This will allow the domestic defense industry to grow and contribute to Taiwan’s security. Drones, unmanned submarines, and robotics are all areas that Taiwan will prioritize in the future. The second pillar is enhancing our economic resilience. In 2010, 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment went to China. But last year, this number was only 7 percent. The United States is now Taiwan’s largest destination for outbound investment. In other words, we are not putting all of our eggs in the same basket. We hope that Taiwan’s industries will be rooted in Taiwan, deploy globally, and market across the world. This will not only strengthen our economy but also make it more resilient, thereby safeguarding Taiwan’s security. The third pillar is standing together with the United States and other free and democratic countries to bolster joint deterrence. This will allow us to prevent war by preparing for one. And fourthly, Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue with China based on parity and dignity. Through exchanges and cooperation, we can achieve the goal of peace and mutual prosperity. I noticed that US President Donald Trump once said publicly that Xi Jinping actually called him and stated that he would not attack Taiwan during President Trump’s term in office. We hope that Taiwan will continue to enjoy the support of President Trump. If he is able to convince Xi Jinping to permanently renounce the use of force against Taiwan, President Trump will surely win the Nobel Peace Prize. Q: If you could speak directly to President Trump about Taiwan’s situation right now, the security situation more specifically, what would you want him to know?  President Lai: If I had the chance to meet President Trump in person and talk about the current cross-strait situation, I would suggest that he take note of the fact that Xi Jinping is not just holding ever-larger military exercises in the Taiwan Strait but expanding China’s military deployment in the South and East China Seas. China’s military exercises now extend across the Indo-Pacific region. Its aircraft carriers are moving beyond the first island chain and second island chain. And its northern fleet even sailed around Japan for a week. Chinese naval vessels also conducted live-fire exercises in Australia’s exclusive economic zone. The situation in the Indo-Pacific region is changing constantly, and tensions are rising. So the issue is not only a possible annexation of Taiwan. If it is able to annex Taiwan, China will be in a stronger position to compete with the United States and alter the rules-based international order. This would eventually also impact US interests. So we hope that President Trump can continue to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan is determined to ensure its national security. We will fulfill our responsibility and work with free and democratic countries to maintain regional peace and stability. Q: Because America has learned some difficult lessons about foreign policy and foreign policy intervention, there is a focus on partners who will carry their weight for their own defense and have a willingness to fight. If anyone in America, policymaker or citizen, has a question about whether Taiwan is willing to defend its own sovereignty, what would you say to them? President Lai: I would tell them that Taiwan is absolutely determined to ensure its own national security. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable elements in global security and prosperity. So when Taiwan looks after its own national security, it shows that Taiwan is committed to protecting regional peace and stability as well. That is why, as I mentioned before, we are continuing to increase our national defense budget. So during former President Tsai Ing-wen’s term, the national defense budget was increased from 1.9 percent of GDP to 2.5 percent. Next year, it will reach 3.32 percent. And we hope to increase this to 5 percent by 2030. This would be five years earlier than NATO’s own goal. Also, we have established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee under the Office of the President. This committee brings various sectors of Taiwan together and combines the strengths of the public and private sectors to carry out exercises and drills that enhance whole-of-society defense. I also convened a high-level national security meeting in which we defined the Chinese Communist Party regime as a foreign hostile force; and I proposed 17 strategies to address the five major threats we face from China. These will translate into more than a hundred amendments to our national security laws, which will be reviewed by the Legislative Yuan during the current session. This will put Taiwan on a stronger legal footing, bolster its national defense, and allow people to contribute their power toward safeguarding our nation and protecting regional peace and stability. I believe that people help those who help themselves. So I very much agree with your idea that Taiwan and other countries should meet their own responsibilities. Only by helping ourselves can we expect help from others. And when we show unity and work together, that is when deterrence is at its strongest; and that is when we will be able to safeguard peace and stability in the world. Q: Obviously, there’s a tremendous global and American, specifically, interest in artificial intelligence and the future of it. Also very interesting is the incredible facility that TSMC has built and is building out more in Arizona. I would like to ask you to speak to the economic partnership, specifically in advanced technology, microchip manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, and the relationship between Taiwan and America going forward, and how you view that to grow and bring prosperity for both countries. President Lai: So we all know that Taiwan’s technology industry has performed well. This is the result of decades of cooperation among Taiwan’s industries, government, academia, and R&D sector, as well as the support of the Taiwanese people. But I must also note with appropriate humility that TSMC and the Taiwanese semiconductor industry are still only one part of a bigger ecosystem, and do not represent the whole system. So if you look at the entire semiconductor ecosystem, the United States is strong in areas such as innovation, R&D, and design. And it is also the biggest market. Japan is strong in raw materials and related equipment. And the Republic of Korea, they have flash memory. Taiwan’s strength is in wafer manufacturing. And the Netherlands makes the critical equipment that is used to make semiconductors. But in the whole ecosystem, you can see that around 80 percent of profits go to the United States. So for semiconductors, I would say the United States is still the leader in this ecosystem. Looking ahead, as we face the AI era, every nation in the semiconductor ecosystem will be extremely important. And the United States will continue to lead the world in this. So Taiwan is very willing to work with the United States to achieve this goal. We want to help the United States reindustrialize and become a global AI hub. We want the United States to continue to lead the world in this new AI era and we want to help make America great again. So with regard to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, we see it as an important responsibility in terms of ensuring the world’s future prosperity. That is why the Taiwan government has been very supportive of TSMC’s investments in the United States and Japan, as well as Germany. In the future, when the United States has reindustrialized and become a global AI hub, I am sure that TSMC will continue to play a crucial role. Q: Over the course of meetings with various members of your government, I learned something very interesting that has to do with family formation, a problem we have also started to look at in America. It will be very interesting, I think, to the American audience, to hear of countries that are trying to use policy to address issues like encouraging marriage and encouraging children so that a society can replenish – so that there is replenishment and there is resiliency. Could you please speak to some of the ways that you are encouraging people to have more kids here? What is Taiwan doing and how are those initiatives going so far? President Lai: I am very glad that you look positively at what we have been doing in Taiwan. Actually, Taiwan’s policies were made with reference to what the United States and other countries have been doing. Concerning our strategies: first, the government is supporting families in jointly raising children from birth to six years old by providing monthly subsidies. Tuition is also free for both public and private high schools and vocational schools. We also have a long-term care system for senior citizens. Across Taiwan, there are some 15,000 service centers with around 100,000 long-term care staff who look after seniors over the age of 65 as well as people with disabilities so that they can receive quality care. Young people who want to get married and have children are given priority in applying for social housing. If they want to buy a home, they can get government funding to subsidize the interest on their mortgage. And if they are renting, they can get a rent subsidy from the government. For couples who are having problems conceiving, the government subsidizes fertility treatment. We are also cutting taxes. Taiwan’s government is currently investing more in our society and cutting taxes by more than ever before in our history. These initiatives will help our young people feel confident that they can get married, have children, and will be able to raise them. I note that President Trump is also cutting taxes. We want to reduce the burden on households so that more people can start a family. This will promote social stability, prosperity, development, and continual growth for the country.