Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of November 13, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening of the 2023 International Forum on Legal Aid. In remarks, President Tsai stated that over the past seven years, Taiwan has striven to promote judicial reform in three respects, those being judicial reform for the people, reform for a professional and impartial judicial system, and reform for diverse participation in the judicial system. She said that we are improving structural issues through these three respects, as we want a judicial system that is close to the people, trusted by the people, and can function as the last line of defense for justice. The president emphasized that judicial reform is a challenge for everyone in the legal profession and is also a movement for change that requires the whole population to take part, adding that Taiwan will work with the international community to legally defend human rights and advance the development of global democracy and the rule of law. The following are President Tsai's remarks: I want to first thank the Legal Aid Foundation for hosting the fifth International Forum on Legal Aid. This is a gathering of experts and academics from home and abroad to focus on current world developments and discuss important legal issues, particularly legal aid issues. In particular, I would like to thank the distinguished guests from overseas who traveled to Taiwan to be with us here. The forum has responded to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war by inviting Ukrainian representatives to participate online to address the topic of legal aid and the crisis of democracy and human rights. This year, you will also discuss the role and function of legal aid under the challenges of the pandemic and technology developments. I believe the exchanges at this forum will not only deepen links between Taiwan and the rest of the world, but also promote human rights and advance the development of legal aid services in our countries. In Taiwan, we are committed to investing resources so that everyone has equal access to justice, legal representation, and services through the Legal Aid Foundation. For example, the foundation assists government agencies by undertaking legal aid cases in labor disputes and providing legal aid services for indigenous peoples as well as people with disabilities. The government and the foundation work together to give people from all walks of life access to the legal aid services that they need. The foundation has also actively participated in our renewed efforts to reform our judicial system since 2016, and in the follow-up implementation of the reform plan. With its frontline experience, the foundation reflects public opinion and offers important suggestions to jointly make changes to Taiwan's judicial system. With your indulgence, let me say a few words about our work on judicial reform since 2016. Judicial reform is no easy task. It is a challenge for everyone in the legal profession. And it is also a movement for change that requires the whole population to take part. We want a judicial system that is close to the people, trusted by the people, and can function as the last line of defense for justice. That is why we are improving structural issues in three respects.  First, we need judicial reform for the people. We want judicial reform to meet people's needs, protect people's rights, and defend people's interests. For example, in the Crime Victim Rights Protection Act enacted this year, victims and their relatives can receive assistance from the government in a more understanding and respectful way. Second, we need reform for a professional and impartial judicial system. Only a professional and impartial judicial system can effectively make fair rulings and win the trust of the people. By setting up expert courts and tribunals, cases in specific fields can be properly adjudicated, thus improving the quality of rulings. The recently established Intellectual Property Court and Constitutional Court have fulfilled this purpose. In 2020, we set up labor professional courts in all Taiwan's courts to fairly deliberate labor disputes and better protect the right to effective remedy. Third, we need reform for diverse participation in the judicial system. We generate social trust by engaging the people in the judicial process. The Citizen Judges Act, which was implemented this year, allows people to participate in trials and understand how the judiciary functions. This also brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the process and the result of a trial, making decisions better thought out and more in line with public opinion. In addition to making structural adjustments and changes to the legal system, we have made significant progress in non-structural policies that are closely related to judicial reform, such as antidrug and anti-corruption measures. Over the past seven years, the government has invested over NT$25 billion and coordinated government agencies and the private sector to promote the New Generation Anti-drug Strategy 1.0 and 2.0. The policy aims to reduce the demand, supply, and harm of drugs. We have successfully achieved the strategic goals of lowering the number of new drug users, relapses, and drug-related deaths. In terms of anti-corruption efforts, we have released two national reports in the last seven years under the United Nations Convention against Corruption. These have established a platform to reinforce policies to prevent and investigate corruption. We have also met our goals to reduce corruption and increase the conviction rate of corruption cases. Last year, Taiwan received international recognition for its high ranking and performance in the Corruption Perception Index. The progress and results of judicial reform over the past seven years are thanks to the joint efforts of all sectors of Taiwanese society. Taiwan will also work with the international community to legally defend human rights and advance the development of global democracy and the rule of law. As a legal professional myself, I want to encourage you all. Judicial reform is a never-ending task. As times change, society will continue to face emerging issues and challenges. In the judicial process, the first point of contact for most people are law enforcement officers. The police can only properly play their roles in the justice system if they are sincere and responsible. As legal professionals, they must also not forget to always protect human rights. When they do that, the public will notice a positive change in the judicial system.  Finally, I wish all the participating experts and academics from home and abroad a fruitful and rewarding forum. I hope the meeting creates opportunities for more cooperation and exchanges in the future. Also in attendance at the event were International Legal Aid Group Chair Alan Paterson and representatives of legal aid groups from various countries.

On the morning of September 18, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 65th annual meeting and 70th anniversary of the International Association of Judges (IAJ). In remarks, the president said that amid a rapidly changing global landscape, it is crucial that there is continued dialogue on how to best protect and improve the functioning of the judiciary. She stated that the pursuit of human rights is never ending, and that as new eras bring new challenges and revolutionary ideas, we must continue to work even harder to ensure comprehensive human rights protections. President Tsai emphasized that Taiwan is acutely aware of the importance of judicial independence and that our commitment to democracy drives our efforts to build a judicial system that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. The president noted that this year, Taiwan introduced a citizen judge system to incorporate a more diverse set of perspectives in the judicial process. She said that by having members of the public participate in this process alongside professional judges, we hope to help ensure fairness and foster greater trust in the judiciary. The president added that Taiwan is working tirelessly to achieve the highest international standards of judicial independence and human rights protections, in part through the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission in 2020, which monitors our implementation of international human rights conventions to meet the international benchmark. A transcript of President Tsai's remarks follows: To begin, I want to thank the JAROC [the Judges Association of Republic of China (Taiwan)] for hosting the 65th IAJ annual meeting, and I'm also pleased to join the IAJ to celebrate its 70th anniversary. I also want to welcome everyone who has traveled to Taiwan for this meeting. It is a pleasure to have you all here to discuss judicial independence, which is the pillar of democratic societies. As someone who studied and taught law for a long time, I must say that it is an honor to be in a room with so many esteemed judges and legal experts. In fact, this is not the first time the IAJ has set a major milestone here in Taiwan. When Taipei hosted the annual meeting in 1999, the IAJ adopted the Universal Charter of the Judge. This landmark document has helped enshrine the value of judicial independence. It states that the core functions of judges are to "ensure the rights of everyone to a fair trial" and to uphold the rule of law. And for such functions, judicial independence is indispensable. The charter also notes that judges need to maintain impartiality in order to "exercise judicial powers free from social, economic, and political pressure."  Although these principles may provide a blueprint for protecting the integrity of judges, we cannot take judicial independence for granted. It must be continuously upheld through individual commitments and institutional protections.  In Taiwan, we are acutely aware of the importance of judicial independence. Having achieved democracy after decades of authoritarian rule, we have no room to compromise on our democratic freedoms and the principles that sustain them.  It is our commitment to democracy that drives our efforts to build a judicial system that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. This year, we introduced the citizen judge system to incorporate a more diverse set of perspectives in the judicial process. By having members of the public participate in this process alongside professional judges, we hope to help ensure fairness and foster greater trust in the judiciary.  As our judicial system continues to evolve, the role of judges in upholding the constitution and the rule of law is of critical importance. With no guarantee for the rule of law by impartial and independent judges, there can be no guarantee for the protection of human rights. The IAJ provides strong support to a global community of judges dedicated to defending judicial integrity and human dignity, most notably through its constant work to deepen the professional knowledge of its members. This year's Constitutional Law Forum is part of this effort to facilitate in-depth conversations on judicial independence and constitutionalism, as well as some of the most pressing threats to these essential principles. Amid a rapidly changing global landscape, it is crucial that there is continued dialogue, like today's, on how to best protect and improve the functioning of the judiciary. And with new challenges constantly emerging, the judiciary will have to adapt and become more resilient, so that they can stand up to any form of political pressure, be it domestic or international. History shows us that the pursuit of human rights is never ending. New eras bring new challenges and revolutionary ideas. This is why we must continue to work even harder to ensure comprehensive human rights protections. To this end, we in Taiwan are working tirelessly to achieve the highest international standards of judicial independence and human rights protections. As part of our efforts, Taiwan established a National Human Rights Commission in 2020, which monitors our implementation of international human rights conventions. Several of such conventions, including CEDAW [the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women] and ICCPR [the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights], have also been incorporated into domestic law to meet the international benchmark of human rights. To conclude, I want to thank the members of the IAJ for coming to Taiwan and sharing your knowledge, experiences, and expertise. I hope you all have a pleasant stay in Taiwan. Please take some time to experience our culture and enjoy our beautiful scenery and, of course, delicious food. I wish you a successful meeting and a happy 70th anniversary to the IAJ. IAJ President José Igreja Matos was also in attendance at the event.

On the morning of October 1, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 2018 International Conference on Constitutional Court and Human Rights Protection. She expressed hope that after our judicial reform, especially the adoption of Constitutional Court Procedure Act, the Justices of the Constitutional Court will continue to guide the stable development of our democratic constitutional order and to protect the constitutional rights of our people in a more effective and comprehensive manner. A transcript of the president's remarks follows: In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Constitutional Court, the Judicial Yuan holds today's International Conference on Constitutional Court and Human Rights Protection. This is a special day in the history of our democratic and constitutional development. I am very honored to be part of this event. The Judicial Yuan also invites many internationally renowned constitutional scholars and experts, to participate in this international conference. I would like to extend the warmest welcome to you all. Thank you for coming. We all know that the Constitutional Court was established by the Constitution. However, the Constitution only contains rather simple provisions on this institution. The overall picture and the specific functions of the Constitutional Court, particularly regarding jurisdictions, organizational arrangements, and the procedures of the Constitutional Court were further specified either by the rules and decisions of the Court or by the statutes enacted by the legislature afterwards. As Taiwan was under martial law for a long time, the constitutional rights were severely limited then. After the lifting of the martial-law rule in 1987, Taiwan went through a decade-long democratization. At the same time, the Court has devoted itself to the protection of the people's constitutional rights and to the maintenance of the democratic constitutional order during and after Taiwan's democratic transition. Many Interpretations made by the Court also laid the foundations for Taiwan's current stable constitutional order and comprehensive protection of human rights. At every critical moment of our history when the constitutional order was faced with challenges, the Constitutional Court, as the guardian of the Constitution, has stood up in due time to protect the Constitution, to stabilize the constitutional order of the nation, and to lead the development of constitutional democracy of our country. Over the last 70 years, the Constitutional Court has developed into a mature institution exercising a wide spectrum of powers, including the power to review the constitutionality of laws and regulations, the power to settle the disputes between different governmental branches, and even the unique power to clarify the doubts arising from any Constitutional text. As compared to its counterparts around the world, Constitutional Court of ours is an institution entrusted with comprehensive jurisdictions. As part of our effort to reform Taiwan's judicial system, the Constitutional Court has further identified a problem with the protection of the constitutional rights of the people under the current system. So far, the Constitutional Court would only review the constitutionality of laws or regulations, and not that of court decisions. Against this backdrop, the Judicial Yuan has proposed to introduce the idea of "Constitutional Complaints", modelled after the system established by the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, in order to allow the people to challenge the constitutionality of the court decisions here. The Constitutional Court has introduced a legislative bill to amend the current Constitutional Interpretation Procedure Act and to rename it to be "Constitutional Court Procedure Act". Once passed, this new Act will empower the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of the final decisions of the courts of last resort, on top of the law and regulations. The organization of the Constitutional Court will also be reinforced to support this reform. It will be a watershed development of the Constitutional Court. Under this new Law, the Constitutional Court will be able to check and balance not only the executive and legislative powers, but also the decisions of ordinary courts. With the extension of such jurisdiction, the Constitutional Court will be able to provide a more complete and effective protection of the constitutional rights of the people. Under the Constitution and its Amendments, the Constitutional Court is entrusted with the powers to interpret the Constitution, to make uniform interpretations of statutes and regulations, to adjudicate the cases on the dissolution of unconstitutional political parties, and to try the impeachment cases of the President and Vice President. By virtue of constitutional amendments, legislation and its own Interpretations, the Constitutional Court is actually transforming itself from a "Council of Justices" to a real court, in terms of either petition requirements, court procedures or the format of interpretations. If the legislative bill of the Constitutional Court Procedure Act can be adopted by the Legislative Yuan by the end of this year, the above-mentioned new systems will be implemented two years after the enactment of this new Law. At that time, the Constitutional Court will hear and decide all the case, including the petitions for abstract review and for constitutional complaints in the form and procedures of a real court, instead of the current conference module. Even the name of Interpretation will be changed to Decisions or Judgments then. Along the formation and development of our Constitutional Court, we can see the trajectory that our institution gradually took shape. It has been a combination of borrowing from abroad and growing from soils at home. As far as the Constitutional Court is concerned, we need not debate on which type of court system is consistent with original intent of the Constitution. More importantly, we should focus on the historical context of the court practice over such a long period of 70 years. We shall be mindful of the evolution of our Constitutional Court and pay attention to its development. Moving through each critical constitutional moment, the Constitutional Court has functioned to safeguard the national security and the social order, to consolidate the foundation for democratic constitutional order, and to fulfill the promise to protect the constitutional rights. In other words, the status quo of our Constitutional Court is not what could have been foreseen by the constitutional framers 70 years ago. Instead, it has been the result of dynamic interactions between the congressional legislation, on one hand, and the Interpretations and practice of the Constitutional Court, on the other, after more than half a century's development. Intentionally or accidentally, we have borrowed many important ideas from constitutional courts abroad, while we insisted on developing our Court based on our indigenous contexts and needs. Regardless of the evolution of the constitutional interpretation system, the Justices of the Constitutional Court have served to protect our Constitution for 70 years. At each critical moment, they have made their proper judgments to facilitate Taiwan's democratic transition and to meet the needs of the people toward the Constitution. It is my sincere hope that, after our judicial reform, especially the adoption of Constitutional Court Procedure Act, the Justices of the Constitutional Court will continue to guide the stable development of our democratic constitutional order and to protect the constitutional rights of our people in a more effective and comprehensive manner. Finally, I wish this two-day international conference a great success. I hope our distinguished guests from abroad enjoy our culture, society, and hospitality during your visit, in addition to participating in the conference and sharing your valuable insights. I would also like to extend my best wishes to all participants. I wish all of you good health and best lucks. Thank you everyone.

On the morning of April 24, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation of senior officials from agencies that promote clean government in Taiwan's Central American allies. During the meeting, the president emphasized that every country has to address the challenge of fighting corruption. She also expressed hope that Taiwan and its Central American allies can exchange experiences in anti-corruption work and judicial reform so that together, everyone can pursue national progress and enhance their bilateral friendships. In remarks, President Tsai stated that since taking office she has visited Central America twice, upholding the principle of "steadfast diplomacy based on mutual assistance for mutual benefits." Besides personally visiting diplomatic allies, she also values each opportunity to exchange views with officials from diplomatic allies when they visit Taiwan. The president said that these interactions facilitate closer friendships. She then said she was happy to welcome this delegation of officials from Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, and hoped they will have a productive visit. President Tsai pointed out that over the past few years, Taiwan has signed judicial cooperation agreements with Honduras and Guatemala, and agreements on police cooperation with Belize and the Dominican Republic. She noted that anti-corruption work is an important issue in the judicial and law enforcement fields, and expressed confidence that through these agreements, Taiwan and Central American countries can have even more exchanges to address anti-corruption work. President Tsai pointed out that every country has to address the challenge of fighting corruption, and that the United Nations places great importance on anti-corruption work. Although Taiwan is not a formal member of the United Nations, we are as determined as any other country to pursue clean government. Taiwan has not only established a specialized anti-corruption agency—the Agency Against Corruption of the Ministry of Justice—it has also taken the initiative to pass the Act to Implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption. She suggested that the quality of a country's investment climate is closely related to clean government, and that Taiwan's continued efforts to promote clean government are designed to create a more attractive investment climate. The president further noted that, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2017 issued by Transparency International, Taiwan was ranked 29th out of 180 countries and territories around the world. Though that was Taiwan's highest ranking in the past decade, she said, the nation will not rest on its laurels. This August, Taiwan will issue its first "national anti-corruption report," and invite international experts and scholars to be part of the review process. "We want the whole world to see that Taiwan can make clean, competent government a reality." President Tsai also mentioned that Taiwan has been working for judicial reform for the past two years so that the judiciary will once again belong to the people, and create a judicial system that guarantees human rights, that the people can trust, and that is easily accessible to citizens. She stated that all her guests had a legal background and a long track record in legal practice, so they can definitely understand the importance of ethical government and judicial reform. She voiced hope that Taiwan and its diplomatic allies can share experiences, and that together, they can all pursue progress. She also expressed hope that the delegation would come to a deeper friendship with Taiwan during their visit. Included in the delegation were Guatemala Attorney General Thelma Aldana, Belize Attorney General Michael George Peyrefitte, and representatives of anti-corruption agencies from Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

After a full day of discussions on August 12 at the Presidential Office National Conference on Judicial Reform, President Tsai Ing-wen summarized the conference results, emphasizing that the true key to judicial reform lies in subsequent action. She also said she would closely monitor reform progress and she asked all government agencies involved to keep reforms firmly on track, enhance their efficacy and pick up the pace to create a judicial system that the public can depend on. The following is a translation of President Tsai's remarks: Once again, I want to thank all of the conference participants. We've been hard at work since this morning, and heard many insightful opinions. Your remarks have all been marked by heartfelt hopes and expectations. This has been a very significant judicial reform conference, not just because so many different viewpoints were expressed, but also because we changed the methods of the past. Over half of the people we invited to participate in these discussions were not from the legal profession, so perspectives on legal reform won't be limited to legal experts. That also allowed the people who utilize the legal system to express their perspectives, while taking the ideas and needs of the general public into consideration. That change was necessary to thoroughly examine our legal system. I want to take this opportunity to urge all incumbent judges and prosecutors to encourage and support each other. For people within the system, being put under a microscope may be uncomfortable, tiring, and frustrating. No one understands that more than I do. But working in the public sector, being paid by the state, we are obliged to accept criticism and submit to oversight. And I do believe that most of our judges and prosecutors have high hopes for reform. As the leader of our government, I will work with the Judicial Yuan, the Ministry of Justice, and all of my government colleagues to promote judicial reform. Where changes are possible, we must not hesitate. Where changes take more time and a step-by-step approach, we must establish clear procedures and timetables. Where there are difficulties, we must not be afraid to explain them, and have a dialogue with Taiwan society. A positive approach will help the public understand reform efforts, and change some of society's stereotypes about the judicial system. If we give our very best efforts, I am sure that one day, we can make our society believe that they can trust our justice system. I also want to say a few words to participants from the private sector, and members of the public who care about judicial reform. I thank you for your candid and sincere suggestions. Your efforts will not be in vain. This National Conference has heightened awareness of judicial reform issues, and spurred many concrete reform proposals. These achievements belong to all of you, and to Taiwan society as a whole. I'm sure everyone is well aware that changing such a long-standing and complex situation requires more effort and time than just talking about it. And from the resolutions of the various subcommittees, and the diversity and difficulty of the issues that have been raised, we can see that the road ahead—from initiatives to implementation— will be long. So please give the government some time, and during the reform process, continue providing civilian oversight to ensure that the progress we've achieved so far will be translated into concrete results. I know that many points of consensus reached at the last national judicial reform conference in 1999 were never implemented, and I noticed many of the comments we heard here today focused on the word "implementation." We were never under the illusion that a conference would resolve all these issues. The real key lies in subsequent action. And as convener of the National Conference on Judicial Reform, my responsibility does not end here. First, after this national conference concludes, I will personally monitor reform progress very closely. I intend to ask Professor and former Grand Justice Lin Tzu-Yi (林子儀) to chair an advisory task force, and regularly report to me about public feedback regarding judicial reform progress. This will help me understand perspectives from throughout society. Second, judicial reform involves the rights and responsibilities of all five branches (yuan) of Taiwan's government, and that will require coordination. As president, this is my constitutional responsibility, so I will take on the task of coordinating between the five yuan. I will help them maintain good lateral communications, and monitor their concrete progress. Third, agencies under the Judicial Yuan and the Executive Yuan need to keep reforms firmly on track, enhance their efficacy and pick up the pace. For reforms where there is already a consensus, and no need to amend laws, please propose and promote feasible measures as soon as possible. I would also request that the Executive Yuan establish a mechanism to coordinate cross-agency matters and determine a proper division of labor. Fourth, I also want to ask the Judicial Yuan and the Executive Yuan to bring forth a report every six months regarding the reform schedule, explaining to the public how reforms are progressing. Fifth, many of the issues addressed at this national conference involve the rights and responsibilities of the legislative branch, so full communication with legislators, who represent the will of the people, is needed. The relevant agencies must arrange to report to the legislature with full explanations. In cases that involve amending the law, please solicit a broad range of public opinion so that people who haven't taken part in the National Conference can air their views. Once a consensus is formed, we can bring about draft legislation to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. And finally, I want to thank all my fellow citizens who have provided opinions, taken part in online discussions, and otherwise shown concern for judicial reform, as well as all the conference participants and our government colleagues. You have all played important roles in the judicial reform process. I also want to specially thank the distinguished guests who attended this morning's proceedings, especially Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) of the People First Party, Chairman Huang Kuo-Chang (黃國昌) of the New Power Party, and Chairperson Hsu Hsin-ying (徐欣瑩) of the Minkuotang, all of whom shared very valuable suggestions. The support provided by all of the political parties through their participation and concern is certainly an asset for our reform efforts.  More than an investigation of different systems or a matter of academic research, judicial reform is an integral part of people's lives. Many people are pinning their hopes on us, including those on the front line of judicial work, crime victims and their families, those who have suffered unfair treatment in the judicial system, and every citizen who hopes that justice will be fully realized.  We must remain firm so that the public will come to trust the judicial system. We cannot hesitate on reform issues. We must move full steam ahead, and continue our efforts. Although this meeting is drawing to a close, reform will keep moving ahead. Thank you!

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.