Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of April 26, President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla of the Republic of Guatemala, attended the opening ceremony for a month-long celebration of Guatemalan coffee culture and invited the Taiwanese people to taste and experience Guatemalan coffee culture.  Upon arriving at the event, President Tsai and President Giammattei visited the Guatemalan coffee culture showroom and listened to Guatemalan Minister of the Economy Janio Moacyr Rosales Alegría introduce Guatemalan Sello Blanco (white-label) coffee and the art objects on display, and viewed a short video promoting Guatemalan coffee. Wu Yi-ling (吳怡玲), vice president of the Taiwan Coffee Association, then provided information on the three coffees chosen for the showroom and explained the concepts behind its design. President Giammattei described the Sello Blanco program, saying that it is the only such label in the world to be issued by a country that also signifies the fight against poverty. When people see it, he said, they know it represents disadvantaged populations, families, and ethnic groups who are diligently working to lift themselves out of economic hardship. President Giammattei explained that purchasing white label products thus means helping those people escape poverty faster so that the nation as a whole can prosper. President Giammattei noted that purchasing Sello Blanco coffee is meaningful in two ways: First, consumers can take home the best coffees in the world and savor Guatemala's most fragrant beans. Second, each consumer can bear a portion of the social responsibility in helping impoverished families move past poverty. Guatemala has therefore chosen its best friend and ally, Taiwan, as the first stop in promoting the Sello Blanco program, he added. Saying that this is a first step in preventing and eradicating poverty, President Giammattei expressed gratitude to Taiwan for giving them the chance to begin realizing their dream here. President Tsai and President Giammattei then sat down for a tasting of Guatemalan Anacafé 14 coffee brewed by 2017 World Brewers Cup champion Chad Wang (王策), who demonstrated pour-over techniques. They also viewed two works of latte art representing our respective countries, "Formosan Black Bear" and "Guatemalan Resplendent Quetzal," crafted on site by 2019 World Latte Art championship second-place winner Chen Hao-yuan (陳顥元), who also explained the meaning behind his art. Following the tasting, President Tsai and President Giammattei participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a coffee truck promoting Guatemalan coffee. The truck will tour Taiwan through June 4, stopping in multiple locations to spread the coffee culture of Guatemala. President Giammattei thanked Taiwan for giving his delegation a chance, through this visit, to get closer to Asia, and he explained once again the significance of the Sello Blanco program. He expressed his hope that the program will help more of his fellow citizens overcome difficult circumstances. He also gave a special thanks to President Tsai, the Taiwan Coffee Association, and King Car Group for their support and assistance, and voiced his confidence that everyone will be enjoying the very best coffee.  The Guatemalan coffee culture showroom, opened under the joint efforts of the Guatemalan government and the Taiwan Coffee Association, will run for six weeks in the Mr. Brown Coffee shop located near the National Taipei University of Technology campus. The showroom offers coffees from three of Guatemala's major growing regions, including Antigua, and gives visitors the chance to see and learn more about the coffee, culture, and art of Guatemala. Among those attending the event were Guatemalan Congressional President Shirley Joanna Rivera Zaldaña, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores, Minister of the Economy Rosales, and Guatemala Ambassador Oscar Adolfo Padilla Lam.

On the morning of December 13, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Republic of Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and First Lady Aingimea and witnessed the signing of a bilateral aviation services agreement. President Tsai expressed hope that our diplomatic ties will continue to progress through more collaborative projects. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Nauru are both members of the Pacific family. As President Aingimea has stated, our two countries are like family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government of Nauru for its friendship and staunch support for Taiwan in the international arena over the years. At the UN General Debate and the recently concluded 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 25), President Aingimea called upon the world to embrace Taiwan and recognize the rights of the Taiwanese people. Today, I want to especially thank President Aingimea for his support. In addition, at these key international events, President Aingimea publicly lauded the contributions that Taiwan has made towards global sustainable development. And indeed, the manner in which ocean countries should pursue sustainable development in the face of the challenges brought by climate change is of great concern for both Taiwan and Nauru. Taiwan is willing and able to collaborate with its partners in the international community and strive to make the world a better place in the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nauru is an indispensable partner to Taiwan. We hope to strengthen exchanges and promote mutually beneficial, win-win development between our countries. In addition to moving forward with our current collaborative projects, Taiwan International Ports Corporation will be providing management and personnel training opportunities to Nauru once its new port is completed. Moreover, just last month, Nauru Airlines sent representatives to Taiwan to discuss airline cooperation, such as extending flight routes to Taipei. Hopefully, in the near future, we can establish a flight route connecting our two countries in order to further boost people-to-people exchanges and bring our countries even closer together. Over the years, our two countries have worked to further deepen our cordial relations, and there are a growing number of "friends of Taiwan" in Nauru. Here with us today, Nauru's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Appi is one such person, having once studied at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. We very much look forward to continuing to enhance our bilateral relations through increased collaboration in the future. In his remarks that followed, President Aingimea stated that Nauru attaches great importance to its relationship with Taiwan, and as he repeatedly said, Taiwan and Nauru are family. Taiwan and Nauru share strong ties, in addition to the assistance Taiwan has provided to Nauru. He also thanked the Taiwanese government for its scholarship programs for Nauru's young people and the affection they have given them for stinky tofu. These kind of people-to-people exchanges have brought Taiwan and Nauru closer together. President Aingimea pointed out that for many years, Taiwan has strongly supported Nauru's infrastructure and economic development. When Nauru experienced a financial crisis in the 1990s, it was Taiwan that helped revive the operation of Nauru Airlines. He stated that we can see who our true friends are during difficult times, for when you are down it is those friends who help you up, an indication of the relationship Taiwan and Nauru have established over the years. President Aingimea then said that he hopes to build on our existing foundation to continue strengthening bilateral relation, and looks forward to a brighter future through Taiwan's continued assistance in Nauru's development through infrastructure, ports, and scholarships. After the meeting, President Tsai witnessed the signing of an aviation services agreement between the two countries by President Aingimea and Taiwan's Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). This agreement will allow the airlines of both sides to fly between Taiwan and Nauru in the future. In addition to helping expand bilateral international routes, this agreement will also help us build an airline network with our Pacific allies, further strengthening economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Nauru. After the signing ceremony, the two heads of state, Taiwan's Foreign and Transportation Ministers, and the respective Ambassadors, raised their glasses in a toast to successful bilateral cooperation. Also present at the event were Minister for Ronphos and Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation Reagan Winson Aliklik and Mrs. Aliklik, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Asterio Appi and Mrs. Appi. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Nauru Ambassador to Taiwan Jarden Kephas. Also attending the meeting were Vice President Chien Chen-jen and National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維).

President Tsai Ing-wen's Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability continued with a luncheon on the morning of July 15 local time (evening of July 15 Taipei time) at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St. Christopher and Nevis (a.k.a. St. Kitts and Nevis) for local political figures and a Taiwan tourism industry mission. In remarks, the president said she hopes that through mutual exchanges and experience sharing, travel industry firms in both countries will discover business opportunities, and work together to develop tourism and promote sustainable development. The president was greeted upon arrival by Michael Morton (President of the Management Council of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and Governor-General's Deputy of St. Christopher and Nevis) and Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards. Local school children were also on hand to give her a big welcome. The president and her delegation were then given a guided tour of the park by Percival Hanley, General Manager of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society. At noon, President Tsai hosted a luncheon at the national park for Prime Minister Timothy Harris and other political figures, as well as the Taiwan tourism industry mission. As they entered the venue, the attendees were entertained by performers on stilts, a traditional local art form. The following is a translation of the president's remarks at the banquet: It is a unique opportunity and a great pleasure to meet with all of you here in Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Tourism has always been key to the development of St. Kitts and Nevis. Now, more than 1.2 million cruise ship passengers are coming here every year, which itself presents a tremendous business opportunity. Taiwan also has a mature tourism sector. To promote the growth and sustainable development of tourism in both our countries, I invited tourism firms in Taiwan to form a delegation to come see St. Kitts and Nevis for themselves, and to exchange experiences and explore opportunities for expansion. This afternoon, the members of our tourism fact-finding delegation will finish their tour and return to Taiwan. I hope that their trip and the connections they made here will help related business in both our countries continue to broaden avenues of cooperation, and introduce the beautiful scenery and traditions of the Caribbean to even more Taiwanese. Of course, we welcome more Kittians and Nevisians to visit Taiwan in the future.  Though not many Taiwanese live in St. Christopher and Nevis, all the members of the Taiwanese community here are highly accomplished in their respective fields, and are committed to giving back to society.  I want to take this opportunity to introduce Mr. Michael Chang (張溎鱗) of Kuang Jun Construction Corporation, who has had remarkable success in the construction industry here. And Ms. Amy Jui Yuan Pen (彭瑞媛), who lives in Sint Maarten as an Advisor to the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission (OCAC), has devoted years of service to the Taiwanese community in the Caribbean. Having long worked hand in hand with the Embassy and technical mission here, you and other senior members of the local Taiwanese community are the most important bridge for furthering trade and exchange between our two countries. I am delighted to have the chance to join so many good friends today. I believe that with the joint efforts of Prime Minister Harris and all of you, Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis will enjoy a close friendship for many more years to come, and we will continue to make progress in economic development and promoting the welfare of our peoples. Thank you! (End of remarks) Brimstone Hill Fortress was built atop an 800-foot hill overlooking the western coast of the island of St. Kitts, and is one of the best preserved colonial-period fortresses in all of the Americas. In 2011, USA Today ranked the Brimstone Hill Fortress in the top ten out of 500 must see hidden gems on the planet. During the proceedings, Management Council President Morton presented her with a painting showing a panoramic view of Brimstone Hill Fortress. After the luncheon, President Tsai and her delegation were accompanied by Prime Minister Harris to downtown Basseterre to visit the Berkeley Memorial, a well-known local landmark. The atmosphere along the way was lively, with warm greetings from local residents and students, and some school children even calling out best wishes to the president in Mandarin.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga and Mrs. Sopoaga on the morning of May 3 at the Office of the President. President Tsai and Prime Minister Sopoaga jointly witnessed the signing of an agreement between Taiwan and Tuvalu concerning seafarers' training and certification, under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, by both sides' transportation ministers. The president also expressed hope that the two countries will strengthen all-around cooperation and enhance the well-being of people in both countries. In remarks, President Tsai began by welcoming Prime Minister Sopoaga and Mrs. Sopoaga to the Office of the President, stating that this is Prime Minister Sopoaga's 16th visit to Taiwan. President Tsai recalled that when she visited Tuvalu in 2017, her delegation received a warm welcome from the government and people of Tuvalu. She trusted that during his visit to Taiwan this time, the prime minister will experience the warmth of the Taiwanese people as well. Since taking office, President Tsai pointed out, Prime Minister Sopoaga has been committed to national development, while actively responding to the challenges of climate change. Taiwan is also actively working to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the president said, and we would be happy to share our experiences with the world. Of course, President Tsai stated, Taiwan can contribute so much more to the international community in various areas. She thanked Prime Minister Sopoaga and the Tuvaluan government for firmly supporting Taiwan's international participation. In particular, this April the Tuvalu government wrote a letter to the Director-General of the World Health Organization requesting that Taiwan be invited to this year's World Health Assembly. The president stated that Tuvalu's staunch support for Taiwan's right to international participation is a testament to our countries' strong friendship, and gives us the strength to persevere. Taiwan can help, she emphasized, and we are more than willing to do our part to improve global welfare. Mentioning that this year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Tuvalu, President Tsai noted that our cooperation in many different fields continues to grow closer. Our technical mission's collaborative farms are bringing fresh produce to Tuvaluan citizens and promoting healthy lifestyles. And our various cooperative programs, including Tuvaluan students studying in Taiwan, talent development, and vocational training, are consistently popular. This year, the president stated, we are further expanding our cooperation with Tuvalu and other allies with the introduction of the Taiwan Digital Opportunity Center (TDOC). This center will provide more opportunities for bilateral exchanges, and cultivate Tuvalu's next-generation tech talents. These are all perfect examples of mutually beneficial steadfast diplomacy. In closing, President Tsai welcomed Prime Minister Sopoaga and Mrs. Sopoaga to Taiwan once again and expressed hope for the continued growth of our bilateral friendship, so that we can create a better future together. In his remarks that followed, Prime Minister Sopoaga stated that he was delighted to be in Taiwan once again, and that his delegation's visit to Taiwan would allow them to pay witness to Taiwan's progress and development, while also representing the Tuvaluan people and government's strong support for Taiwan. He praised President Tsai for her leadership, and mentioned President Tsai's commitment to creating a better Taiwan, stating that he had personally witnessed Taiwan's impressive achievements on both bilateral and international issues. The people of Tuvalu are very proud of their friendly relationship with Taiwan, he said, and he thanked Taiwan for reminding his delegation of their duty to better the lives of their people. Finally, Prime Minister Sopoaga thanked Taiwan for supporting Tuvaluan education, allowing Tuvaluan students to excel in medical, technological, and scientific fields. He then expressed hope for the continued strengthening of Taiwan-Tuvalu relations. After the meeting, President Tsai and Prime Minister Sopoaga jointly witnessed the signing of an agreement regarding seafarers' training and certification by Taiwan Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Tuvaluan Minister for Communications and Transport Monise Laafai. This agreement, based on the diplomatic friendship between Taiwan and Tuvalu, will allow Taiwanese seafarers' training and certification to be recognized in Tuvalu, offering more future employment opportunities. Following the completion of the signing ceremony, the two heads of state, and Foreign and Transportation Ministers raised their glasses in a toast to successful bilateral cooperation. Guests included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs Taukelina Finikaso and his wife, Minister for Natural Resources and Lands Puakena Boreham, Member of the Parliament MacKenzie Kiritome, and Ambassador to Taiwan Limasene Teatu and her husband.

On the evening of September 27, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Carnival in Penghu, an offshore island of Taiwan. She recognized the efforts of Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu (陳光復) and the county government in promoting sustainable tourism. The president also expressed hope that through these carnival activities Taiwan can exchange experiences in promoting sustainable tourism with friends from around the world, and they can get some sense of Taiwan's hard work and perseverance in promoting sustainable development. In remarks, President Tsai stated that she was very happy to be in Penghu to celebrate this great event with everyone there. A memory of Penghu's natural beauty is etched in the minds of all Taiwanese, she said, and that image of beauty is now acknowledged around the world. After extensive efforts for many years, Penghu finally joined the international NGO "The Most Beautiful Bays in the World" (MBBW). And thanks to the perseverance of the Penghu County Government, the organization has also decided to hold its annual world congress in Penghu. We have expanded that event into a "Most Beautiful Bays in the World Carnival," so we welcome good friends from around the world to join us, so that we can experience the beauty of Penghu together. The president stated that becoming the host of this international event shows how Penghu has earned worldwide recognition for its success in such areas as ocean restoration, tourism development, and renewable energy. So she congratulated the County Government of Penghu led by Magistrate Chen, and thanked them for their efforts. The president mentioned that Penghu includes more than 90 islands with a rich variety of topographical features, culture, and scenery. Each of them—be it Penghu's basalt formations, the Double-Heart Stone Fish Trap that attracts tourists so much, or the Jibei Spit sand peninsula—all leave visitors with indelible memories. No one who has been to Penghu ever forgets its blue sea and skies, glorious beaches and sunsets, and wide variety of water and underwater activities. Penghu is like a natural history textbook, allowing travelers to feel the pulse of the ocean and the breath of life. Since taking office, Magistrate Chen has taken active measures to revive Penghu's coral reefs. Clearing fishing nets from the seabed has created a better environment for marine life and helped make ecotourism a new hope and asset in the development of Penghu's tourism industry. Through the efforts of Magistrate Chen and the county government, Penghu has made great progress in managing marine pollution and developing renewable energy. President Tsai commended that Penghu County's efforts to promote sustainable tourism have placed much emphasis on protecting the natural environment and ecosystem. The county government has maintained the local culture, history, and way of life, and remained committed to balancing economic development and ecological protection. This has contributed a great deal to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is something we are actively pursuing. She also hopes that friends from around the world can take advantage of this opportunity to get some sense of Taiwan's hard work and perseverance in promoting sustainable development. Even though Taiwan is not a member of the UN, President Tsai emphasized, we continue to work hard and seek opportunities to cooperate on the UN SDGs. This shows that Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community, and that our determination to engage with the world and strengthen Taiwan's global connections has never faltered. The president pointed out that this 45-day carnival covers a rich variety of activities, including the Worldwide Ocean Cities Exposition, the 2018 Penghu Lights Festival, and the Bay Landscape Art Festival, as well as colloquiums on climate change and marine debris treatment systems. She said that we look forward to exchanging experiences in promoting sustainable tourism with other countries. In closing, on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, President Tsai welcomed friends from around the world as they experience Penghu for themselves, and fall in love with these islands. She also wished the 2018 Most Beautiful Bays in the World Carnival the very best of success. The president and other distinguished guests then jointly initiated the opening ceremony and took in splendid performances. Also attending the event were National Policy Advisor to the President Chi Cheng (紀政), Minister of Transportation and Communications Wu Hong-Mo (吳宏謀), Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu, Legislator Yang Yao (楊曜), retired Ambassador Michel Ching-long Lu (呂慶龍), and MBBW World President Maria das Dores Meira.

In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.