Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

The Legislative Yuan, meeting in an extra session, passed pension reform bills for civil servants, public school employees, and political appointees this week, and on the afternoon of June 30 President Tsai Ing-wen made a statement on pension reform in which she thanked government colleagues and members of the general public who participated in and supported pension reform efforts. She also called on people throughout society to appreciate the progress that has been achieved thus far in nation's reform efforts, and maintain social solidarity. The following is a translation of President Tsai's remarks: The Legislative Yuan has been very busy this week. We have passed laws governing the pension system for public servants, public school employees, and political appointees. Now that these laws have been passed, pension system bankruptcy is no longer an urgent crisis in Taiwan. By the passage of these laws, we have lowered the income replacement rate for civil servant pensions, reduced or eliminated the preferential interest rate of 18% paid to retired civil servants and public school employees, and pushed back the age of eligibility for pensions. It is estimated that these actions will save the public coffers NT$1.4 trillion. We will take the money saved and inject it into the Public Service Pension Fund to ensure that it will remain viable for at least 30 years. At the same time, in order to uphold the interests of civil servants and public school employees, we have also designed our systemic reforms to provide transitional periods during which adjustments are gradually phased in, and established pension income floors to reduce the impact of these reforms. So first of all I want to thank all civil servants and public school employees. I thank all of you for your willingness, at a time when the nation is in difficulty, to sacrifice personal interests to the public good, and once again play a decisive role in helping to stabilize the nation. I especially want to thank the civil servants and public school employees who have already retired. You served the nation and society faithfully throughout your careers, and now you have helped the nation negotiate a difficult pass. I really cannot thank you enough. I do believe that the way you've acquitted yourselves will make our younger civil servants and public school employees take even greater pride in their work. Next, I want to thank all the members of the Legislative Yuan for your hard work. In particular, special thanks are due to the members of the ruling party caucus. The government is an integrated unit. We have all remained united and succeeded in smoothly achieving the difficult task of pension reform. Reform is what we pledged to do, and we have not let the people down. In addition, during the process of deliberations at the Legislative Yuan, we adopted many good-faith amendment proposals put forward by the opposition party caucuses, including suggestions to lower the pension eligibility age for indigenous persons, and to allow divorced spouses to claim pensions. The opposition parties also worked very hard on the pension reform, so I also want to express my thanks to them. I firmly believe that history will remember the contributions of the Ninth Legislative Yuan. Third, I want to thank our colleagues at the Examination Yuan and the Executive Yuan for their hard work, as well as the members of the Pension Reform Committee. Consensus building is a challenging process, but we all know that we had to go through that step if the pension reform effort was to succeed. Your participation has brought about the completion of a very big mission for Taiwan. In this process, Vice President Chen Chien-jen, as convener of the Pension Reform Committee, made every effort to communicate with society and help as many people as possible understand the thinking behind pension reform. And Minister without Portfolio Lin Wan-i (林萬億), as the deputy convener, conscientiously solicited a wide range of views and led the Pension Reform Office as it worked to draft a pension reform proposal. I especially want to thank those two for their persistence and dedication. Fourth, I want to thank all the people of Taiwan. Democracy is an important part of this nation's heritage, and our highest value. Over the past year, there has been some tumult, to be sure, but the firm support of the people of Taiwan for reform got us through the tough spots. This was key. Democracy has once again made Taiwan great. Democracy is no longer just a value; now it is a method of resolving controversies. For this reason, I thank all the people from the bottom of my heart. To be able to lead this kind of nation is a source of incomparable honor and pride. Pension reform affects the vital interests of people from all different lines of work. So even broaching the topic of pension reform can spark all sorts of controversy. And that is why, when previous presidents tried to promote pension reform, they always fell a bit short of their goal. We've been subject to intense pressure from all quarters recently, but we stood firm. This round of pension reform has an important significance, for we've proven that pension reform is neither a political minefield, nor a taboo issue that absolutely cannot be broached. And no one will become destitute because of the pension reform passed during the Tsai Ing-wen administration. In the process of reform, pressure is inevitable, and those pressures are mine to bear. All criticisms should be directed to me. I urge the public to stay calm. Above all, please don't subject certain members of the Legislative Yuan to irrational verbal attacks. If someone has to pay the price, I will do it. There is no need to make life difficult for anyone else. I realize that some people still take issue with the pension reform. Some feel that the reforms have not gone far enough, and some feel they are moving too slowly. Such criticisms are expressions of concern for the nation, and I humbly accept them. However, I call upon everyone in our society to appreciate the progress we've achieved in our reform efforts. All systems need to be continually adjusted to stay in synch with the times, and our pension system is no exception. In carrying out the pension reform, we established a mechanism for regular reviews. Now that we've had this successful experience, when it next comes time for a review of the pension system, we will have more confidence. My fellow citizens, Taiwan has finally achieved a sustainable pension system under which "the government can afford to pay for pensions, and retirees can receive them, now and in the future." Despite all the pressure, we endured, and made good on our pledge to carry out reform. The completion of our reform efforts marks the beginning of social solidarity. This country still has many other problems that we need to continue working on. But since we completed something as difficult and complex as pension reform, is there anything we Taiwanese can't accomplish? And finally, once again, I want to thank everyone who took part in this pension reform, and the members of the public who supported our efforts. People of Taiwan—let's keep moving forward!

On the evening of January 22, President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Chen Chien-jen attended the closing ceremony of the national congress on pension reform, where they thanked the participants for their efforts to promote pension reform. The president stated that the day's congress demonstrated that the Taiwan society is capable of engaging in rational public discourse: "If we can successfully reform the pension system, then there is no reform that Taiwan is incapable of completing." In remarks, President Tsai said that by holding the national congress on pension reform, we have used concrete action to demonstrate that the Taiwan society is capable of engaging in rational public discourse. She thanked all the Pension Reform Committee members for sharing their valuable opinions, which will improve the reform proposal. She also thanked Vice President Chen for personally chairing the meetings of the Pension Reform Committee since last May, and for actively explaining to interested parties the significance of the reform effort. The vice president's patient and gentle way of dealing with various groups and differing opinions, she said, has been key to the smooth progress of the reform effort, and history will remember the drawings that he personally made by hand to explain the reform to the public. In addition, President Tsai also thanked Minister without Portfolio Lin Wan-i (林萬億) for bearing the brunt of pressure and criticism, even putting up with being falsely maligned. Despite everything, he chose to take up the responsibility of leading everyone at the Executive Yuan's Pension Reform Office as they solicited everyone's views and molded them into a concrete reform proposal. History will also remember his tremendous effort. Such tumult always dies down eventually, said the president, who added: "If we can successfully reform the pension system, then there is no reform that Taiwan is incapable of completing." Now that the pension reform congress has been completed, the government will formally put forward a final pension reform proposal and forward a related legislative bill to the Legislative Yuan for deliberations. But we still have a ways to go. A lot of different views still have to be expressed, especially in the Legislative Yuan. With respect to this reform, there are certain principles on which government is insistent, but it will continue communicating with all sectors of society to minimize the impact. President Tsai stressed that we are acting in line with the collective will of the people to build a more ideal system, and the country is moving forward one step at a time toward a fairer and better future. Vice President Chen delivered remarks at the very beginning of the closing ceremony. He also thanked participants for spending an entire day contributing their wisdom and sharing their penetrating insights regarding pension reform so that everyone can together seek consensus on the matter. The vice president stated that the central government agencies responsible for pension reform will most certainly treat everyone's valuable opinions as important reference as they draft legislative amendments in the future, and during this process they will continue to solicit a broad range of opinion. Once everyone's views have been properly evaluated, the government will need to carefully calculate budgetary matters, especially as they impact the economic well-being of individuals, in order to devise a fair way of amending the law that will yield an equitable distribution of wealth. Vice President Chen also stated that if, due to time constraints, the participants at the congress were unable to fully express their views on pension reform, or if they felt that the chairperson of any particular group did not fully express the views of the group in its report, they are welcome to mail their views in writing to the Pension Reform Office, or to send in their views online or via email and have the office forward their views to the central government agencies in charge of drafting legislative amendments. The vice president expressed his hope that the agencies involved in this undertaking—including the Ministry of Civil Service, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labor—can actively complete the drafting of legislative amendments. He also specially called upon the members of the Legislative Yuan and the Examination Yuan ministers without portfolio to bring about the speedy passage of all legislative bills related to pension reform.

On the afternoon of June 23, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the first meeting of the Office of the President's Pension Reform Committee. The president emphasized that the need for reform of the national pension system is so urgent that "failure to act now will be regretted immediately." She also expressed hope that the post-reform pension system is stable and sustainable, so that the pension system can be an important part of the social safety net. That is the only way to put people at ease and achieve social cohesion. The following is the full text of the president's speech: The Office of the President's Pension Reform Committee is meeting today for the very first time, so I want to make a point of coming here to give my regards to all of you. I also want to announce to society that our government's pension reform committee is formally commencing its operations today. Various surveys have shown that the nation's pension system is one of the issues that the people of Taiwan are most concerned about. Structural changes, both demographic and industrial, are putting our pension system at risk of bankruptcy. Worries about financial security after retirement are very upsetting for a lot of people. The need for pension system reform is one of the most pressing issues we now face. I've said before that our administration is here to solve problems. Now, we must resolve the problems besetting our pension system. With some reforms, "failure to act now will be regretted later." But in this case, the need for reform of the national pension system is so urgent that "failure to act now will be regretted immediately." Taiwan's pension system problems have a long history plagued by poor financial planning. Now, aging demographics and a falling birth rate are causing funding shortfalls and generating huge deficits that threaten to bankrupt the system. On top of that, the lack of comprehensive planning means that citizens working in some sectors receive less generous retirement benefits than others simply because of their employment category, despite the fact that they've worked just as hard as anyone else and contributed just as much to society. The pension system should ensure basic security for all citizens; it should not cause some members of the public to worry about their old-age financial security after a lifetime of hard work. These problems have arisen because the original design of the system was not comprehensive enough, resulting in funding that is not sufficiently stable and discrepancies in the benefits received by retirees from different employment categories. This is a burden left over from the past. We are faced with systemic problems, not with problems that can be attributed to individuals. The point of pension reform is to resolve these problems so that all senior citizens can be adequately protected by our social safety net. Previous administrations have attempted reform on multiple occasions, but their efforts all came to naught. We've looked into the reasons, and have concluded that it was because pension reform affects the interests of the public. If the government acts unilaterally in pushing for reform, success is unlikely. This time around, therefore, we've adopted a bottom-up approach that welcomes expanded participation. We've established a national pension reform committee to serve as a platform for dialogue that will afford people from every segment of society opportunities to express their views via representatives. These principles guided the effort to establish the Office of the President's Pension Reform Committee. The committee members here today were all recommended by different occupational associations and broadly vetted prior to their selection. I would like to offer my thanks to each committee member. You've agreed to undertake this work because you appreciate the urgency need for reform. It is your participation that ensures a robust foundation for the reform effort. However, I want to stress that democratic procedure must be observed at your meetings. Reform must move forward in a sound manner. We must proceed one step at a time. At the same time, though, we have a responsibility to seize the historic opportunity before us by acting decisively to achieve a sustainable pension system for Taiwan. To ensure the success of reform, there are a few principles and objectives that we will have to keep in mind as we proceed. First, in terms of the system's design, we must take into consideration both financial stability and what the people can afford. Second, while maintaining reasonable benefits, we must provide for the financial security of disadvantaged people. Third, to maintain social cohesion and avoid controversy, we must narrow the retirement benefits gap between different occupations. And fourth, during the course of reform we must abide by democratic principles and maintain transparency. Another point of reform is to ensure that the post-reform pension system is stable and sustainable, so that the pension system can be an important part of the social safety net. That is the only way to put people at ease and achieve social cohesion. It's extremely gratifying to see that all of the committee members have been able to take part in today's meeting. I fervently hope that we can all maintain unity. For the sake of future generations, we have a responsibility to do more. I ask all of you to support reform and work together to safeguard Taiwan's future by establishing a sustainable, fair, and just pension system. And finally, I want to stress once again that an ideal pension reform must conform to the principles of equity. In seeking equality, we must also be appropriately tolerant of differences. I also want to stress once more that our purpose in pursuing pension system reform is to ensure the financial security of every senior citizen and the sustainability of the pension system.

On the morning of January 1, President Lai Ching-te delivered his 2025 New Year’s Address, titled “Bolstering National Strength through Democracy to Enter a New Global Landscape,” in the Reception Hall of the Presidential Office. President Lai stated that today’s Taiwan is receiving international recognition for its performance in many areas, among them democracy, technology, and economy. In this new year, he said, Taiwan must be united, and we must continue on the right course. The president expressed hope that everyone in the central and local governments, regardless of party, can work hard together, allowing Taiwan sure footing as it strides forward toward ever greater achievements.  President Lai emphasized that in 2025, we must keep firm on the path of democracy, continue to bolster our national strength, make Taiwan more economically resilient, enhance the resilience of supply chains for global democracies, and continue working toward a Balanced Taiwan and generational justice, ensuring that the fruits of our economic growth can be enjoyed by all our people. The president said that Taiwan will keep going strong, and we will keep walking tall as we enter the new global landscape. A translation of President Lai’s address follows: Today is the first day of 2025. With a new year comes new beginnings. I wish that Taiwan enjoys peace, prosperity, and success, and that our people lead happy lives. Taiwan truly finished 2024 strong. Though there were many challenges, there were also many triumphs. We withstood earthquakes and typhoons, and stood firm in the face of constant challenges posed by authoritarianism. We also shared glory as Taiwan won the Premier12 baseball championship, and now Taiwanese people around the world are all familiar with the gesture for Team Taiwan. At the Paris Olympics, Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) and Lee Yang (李洋) clinched another gold in men’s doubles badminton. Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) took home Taiwan’s first Olympic gold in boxing. At the International Junior Science Olympiad, every student in our delegation of six won a gold medal. And Yang Shuang-zi’s (楊双子) novel Taiwan Travelogue, translated into English by King Lin (金翎), became a United States National Book Award winner and a tour de force of Taiwan literature on the international level. Our heroes of Taiwan are defined by neither age nor discipline. They have taken home top prizes at international competitions and set new records. They tell Taiwan’s story through their outstanding performances, letting the world see the spirit and culture of Taiwan, and filling all our citizens with pride. My fellow citizens, we have stood together through thick and thin; we have shared our ups and downs. We have wept together, and we have laughed together. We are all one family, all members of Team Taiwan. I want to thank each of our citizens for their dedication, fueling Taiwan’s progress and bringing our nation glory. You have given Taiwan even greater strength to stand out on the global stage. In this new year, we must continue bringing Taiwan’s stories to the world, and make Taiwan’s successes a force for global progress. In 2025, the world will be entering a new landscape. Last year, over 70 countries held elections, and the will of the people has changed with the times. As many countries turn new pages politically, and in the midst of rapid international developments, Taiwan must continue marching forward with steady strides. First, we must keep firm on the path of democracy. Taiwan made it through a dark age of authoritarianism and has since become a glorious beacon of democracy in Asia. This was achieved through the sacrifices of our democratic forebears and the joint efforts of all our citizens. Democracy’s value to Taiwan lies not just in our free way of life, or in the force driving the diverse and vigorous growth of our society. Democracy is the brand that has earned us international trust in terms of diplomacy. No matter the threat or challenge Taiwan may face, democracy is Taiwan’s only path forward. We will not turn back. Domestic competition among political parties is a part of democracy. But domestic political disputes must be resolved democratically, within the constitutional system. This is the only way democracy can continue to grow. The Executive Yuan has the right to request a reconsideration of the controversial bills passed in the Legislative Yuan, giving it room for reexamination. Constitutional institutions can also lodge a petition for a constitutional interpretation, and through Constitutional Court adjudication, ensure a separation of powers, safeguard constitutional order, and gradually consolidate the constitutional system. The people also have the right of election, recall, initiative, and referendum, and can bring together even greater democratic power to show the true meaning of sovereignty in the hands of the people. In this new year, the changing international landscape will present democratic nations around the world with many grave challenges. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflict between Israel and Hamas rage on, and we are seeing the continued convergence of authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, threatening the rules-based international order and severely affecting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the world at large. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. Taiwan needs to prepare for danger in times of peace. We must continue increasing our national defense budget, bolster our national defense capabilities, and show our determination to protect our country. Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and security. We must gather together every bit of strength we have to enhance whole-of-society defense resilience, and build capabilities to respond to major disasters and deter threats or encroachment. We must also strengthen communication with society to combat information and cognitive warfare, so that the populace rejects threats and enticements and jointly guards against malicious infiltration by external forces. Here at home, we must consolidate democracy with democracy. Internationally, we must make friends worldwide through democracy. This is how we will ensure security and peace. The more secure Taiwan, the more secure the world. The more resilient Taiwan, the sounder the defense of global democracy. The global democratic community should work even closer together to support the democratic umbrella as we seek ways to resolve the war in Ukraine and conflict between Israel and Hamas. Together, we must uphold stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific, and achieve our goal of global peace. Second, we must continue to bolster our national strength, make Taiwan more economically resilient, and enhance the resilience of supply chains for global democracies. In the first half of 2024, growth in the Taiwan Stock Index was the highest in the world. Our economic growth rate for the year as a whole is expected to reach 4.2 percent, leading among the Four Asian Tigers. Domestic investment is soaring, having exceeded NT$5 trillion, and inflation is gradually stabilizing. Export orders from January to November totaled US$536.6 billion, up 3.7 percent from the same period in 2023. And compared over the same period, exports saw a 9.9 percent increase, reaching US$431.5 billion. Recent surveys also show that in 2024, the average increase in salaries at companies was higher than that in 2023. Additionally, over 90 percent of companies plan to raise salaries this year, which is an eight-year high. All signs indicate that Taiwan’s economic climate continues to recover, and that our economy is growing steadily. Our overall economic performance is impressive; still, we must continue to pay attention to the impact on Taiwan’s industries from the changing geopolitical landscape, uncertainties in the global economic environment, and dumping by the “red supply chain.”  For a nation, all sectors and professions are equally important; only when all our industries are strong can Taiwan be strong as a nation. Our micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the lifeblood of Taiwan, and the development of our various industrial parks has given Taiwan the impetus for our prosperity. We must carry the spirit of “Made in Taiwan” forward, bringing it to ever greater heights. Thus, beyond just developing our high-tech industry, our Executive Yuan has already proposed a solution that will help traditional industries and MSMEs comprehensively adopt technology applications, engage in the digital and net-zero twin transition, and develop channels, all for better operational structures and higher productivity. Taiwan must continue enhancing its economic resilience. In recent years, Taiwan has significantly increased its investments in the US, Japan, Europe, and the New Southbound countries, and such investment has already surpassed investment in China. This indicates that our efforts in diversifying markets and reducing reliance on any single market are working. Moving forward, we must keep providing assistance so that Taiwan industries can expand their global presence and market internationally from a solid base here in Taiwan. At the same time, Taiwan must use democracy to promote economic growth with the rest of the world. We must leverage our strengths in the semiconductor and AI industries. We must link with democratic countries so that we can together enhance the resilience of supply chains for global democracies. And through international cooperation across many sectors, such as UAVs, low-orbit communications satellites, robots, military, security and surveillance, or biopharmaceuticals, renewable energy technology, new agriculture, and the circular economy, we must keep abreast of the latest cutting-edge technology and promote diverse development. This approach will help Taiwan remain a leader in advancing global democratic supply chains, ensuring their security and stability. Third, we must continue working toward a Balanced Taiwan and generational justice, ensuring that the fruits of our economic growth can be enjoyed by all our people. Democracy means the people have the final say. Our nation belongs to all 23 million of us, without regard for ethnic group, generation, political party, or whether we live in urban or rural areas. In this new year, we must continue to pursue policies that promote the well-being of the nation and the people. But to that end, the central government needs adequate financial resources to ensure that it can enact each of these measures. Therefore, I hope that the ruling and opposition parties can each soberly reconsider the amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures and find a path forward that ensures the lasting peace and stability of our country. For nine consecutive years, the minimum wage has continued to rise. Effective today, the minimum monthly salary is being raised from NT$27,470 to NT$28,590, and the hourly salary from NT$183 to NT$190. We hope by raising the pay for military personnel, civil servants, and educators for two consecutive years, coupled with benefits through wage increases and tax reductions, that private businesses will also raise wages, allowing all our people to enjoy the fruits of our economic growth. I know that everyone wants to pay lower taxes and rent. This year, we will continue to promote tax reductions. For example, unmarried individuals with an annual income of NT$446,000 or less can be exempt from paying income tax. Dual-income families with an annual income of NT$892,000 or less and dual-income families with two children aged six or younger with an annual income of NT$1,461,000 or less are also exempt from paying income tax. Additionally, the number of rent-subsidized housing units will also be increased, from 500,000 to 750,000 units, helping lighten the load for everyone. This year, the age eligibility for claiming Culture Points has been lowered from 16 to 13 years, so that now young people aged between 13 and 22 can receive government support for experiencing more in the arts. Also, our Ten-Billion-Dollar Youth Overseas Dream Fund is about to take effect, which will help more young people in Taiwan realize their dreams by taking part in education and exchange activities in many places around the world. We are also in the process of establishing a sports ministry to help young athletes achieve their dreams on the field, court, and beyond. The ministry will also be active in developing various sports industries and bringing sports and athletics more into the lives of the people, making our people healthier as a result. This year, as Taiwan becomes a “super-aged society,” we will launch our Long-term Care 3.0 Plan to provide better all-around care for our seniors. And we will expand the scope of cancer screening eligibility and services, all aimed at creating a Healthy Taiwan. In addition, Taiwan will officially begin collecting fees for its carbon fee system today. This brings us closer in line with global practices and helps us along the path to our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. We will also continue on the path to achieving a Balanced Taiwan. Last month, the Executive Yuan launched the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan and its six major regional flagship projects. Both of these initiatives will continue to expand the investment in our public infrastructure and the development of local specialty industries, narrowing urban-rural and wealth gaps so that all our people can live and work in peace and happiness. My fellow citizens, today’s Taiwan is receiving international recognition for its performance in many areas, among them democracy, technology, and economy. This tells us that national development is moving in the right direction. In this new year, Taiwan must be united, and we must continue on the right course. We hope that everyone in the central and local governments, regardless of party, can work hard together to ensure that national policies are successfully implemented, with the people’s well-being as our top priority. This will allow Taiwan sure footing as it strides forward toward ever greater achievements. In this new year, we have many more brilliant stories of Taiwan to share with the world, inspiring all Taiwanese, both here and around the world, to cheer time and again for the glory of Taiwan. Taiwan will keep going strong. And we will keep walking tall as we enter the new global landscape. Thank you.

President Lai Ching-te on the morning of October 10 attended the ROC’s 113th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building, and delivered an address titled “Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream.” A translation of the president’s address follows: National Day Celebration Chairperson Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Prime Minister of Tuvalu Feleti Teo and Madame Tausaga Teo, heads of delegations from diplomatic allies and friendly nations, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and my fellow citizens here in person and watching on TV or online: Good morning. Today, we gather together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic of China, praise the beautiful Taiwan of today, and usher in the better Taiwan for tomorrow. One hundred and thirteen years ago, a group of people full of ideals and aspirations rose in revolt and overthrew the imperial regime. Their dream was to establish a democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for the people. Their ideal was to create a nation of freedom, equality, and benevolence. However, the dream of democracy was engulfed in the raging flames of war. The ideal of freedom had for long eroded under authoritarian rule. But we will never forget the Battle of Guningtou 75 years ago, or the August 23 Artillery Battle 66 years ago. Though we arrived on this land at different times and belonged to different communities, we defended Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. We defended the Republic of China. We will never forget the Kaohsiung Incident 45 years ago, or wave after wave of democracy movements. Again and again, people who carried the dream of democracy and the ideal of freedom, through valiant sacrifice and devotion, gave their lives to open the door to democracy. Over more than a century, the people’s desire to master their own destiny has finally been fulfilled. My fellow citizens, though the Republic of China was driven out of the international community, the people of Taiwan have never exiled themselves. On this land, the people of Taiwan toil and labor, but when our friends face natural disasters or an unprecedented pandemic, we do not hesitate to extend a helping hand. “Taiwan Can Help” is not just a slogan. It is a movement by the people of Taiwan to cherish peace and do good for others. In the past, our people, going out into the world equipped with only a briefcase, sparked Taiwan’s economic achievements. Now, Taiwan’s chip technology drives the whole world, and has become a global force for prosperity and development. The people of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our own Nymphia Wind is a queen on the world stage. The people of Taiwan are truly courageous. Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷), a daughter of Taiwan, is a queen of the boxing world. At 17 years old, Taiwan’s own Tsai Yun-rong (蔡昀融) put steady hands to work and won first place for woodwork in a global skills competition. Chen Sz-yuan (陳思源), at 20, took first for refrigeration and air conditioning, using the skills passed down by his father. A new generation of “Made in Taiwan” youth is putting a new shine on an old label. I want to thank generation after generation of fellow citizens for coming together and staying together through thick and thin. The Republic of China has already put down roots in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. And the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan. The 23 million people of Taiwan, now more than ever, must reach out our branches to embrace the future. My fellow citizens, we have overcome challenge after challenge. All along, the Republic of China has shown steadfast resolve; and all along, the people of Taiwan have shown unwavering tenacity. We fully understand that our views are not all the same, but we have always been willing to accept one another. We fully understand that we have differences in opinion, but we have always been willing to keep moving forward hand in hand. This is how the Republic of China Taiwan became what it is today. As president, my mission is to ensure that our nation endures and progresses, and to unite the 23 million people of Taiwan. I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. It is also my mission to safeguard the lives and property of the public, firmly carry out our Four Pillars of Peace action plan, strengthen national defense, stand side by side with democratic countries, jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence, and ensure peace through strength, so that all generations can lead good lives. All the more, my mission is to care for the lives and livelihoods of the 23 million people of Taiwan, actively develop our economy, and expand investment in social care. I must also ensure that the fruits of our economic growth can be enjoyed by all our people. However, Taiwan faces relentless challenges, and the world’s challenges are just as much our own. The world must achieve sustainable development as we grapple with global climate change. Sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases impact human lives and health around the globe. And expanding authoritarianism is posing a host of challenges to the rules-based international order, threatening our hard-won free and democratic way of life. For these reasons, I have established three committees at the Presidential Office: the National Climate Change Committee, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. These committees are interrelated, and they are closely connected by the theme of national resilience. We intend to build up a more resilient Taiwan, proactively deal with challenges, and bring Taiwan into deeper cooperation with the international community. We must strengthen Taiwan’s ability to adapt to the risks associated with extreme weather, continue promoting our second energy transition, and ensure a stable power supply. We must steadily advance toward our goal of net-zero transition by 2050 through the development of more forms of green energy, deep energy saving, and advanced energy storage. In terms of health, we must effectively fight the spread of global infectious diseases, and raise the population’s average life expectancy while reducing time spent living with illness or disability. We must achieve health equality so that people are healthy, the nation is stronger, and so that the world embraces Taiwan. Finally, we must strengthen resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. As the people of Taiwan become more united, our nation grows more stable. As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure, and there is also greater peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is resolved in our commitment to upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and achieving global security and prosperity. We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combatting infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. For a long time now, countries around the world have supported China, invested in China, and assisted China in joining the World Trade Organization, thereby promoting China’s economic development and enhancing its national strength. This was done out of the hope that China would join the rest of the world in making global contributions, that internally it would place importance on the livelihoods of the people, and that externally it would maintain peace. As we stand here today, international tensions are on the rise, and each day countless innocents are suffering injuries or losing their lives in conflict. We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe. In an era when the international landscape is becoming increasingly chaotic, Taiwan will become more calm, more confident, and stronger; it will become a force for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. I believe that a stronger democratic Taiwan is not only the ideal of our 23 million people, but also the expectation of the international community. We will continue to make Taiwan stronger and promote cross-sector economic development. Taiwan’s economic strength is no “miracle”; it is the result of the joint efforts of all the people of Taiwan. We must strive for an innovative economy, a balanced Taiwan, and inclusive growth; we must stay on top of changes in global trends, and continue to remain a key player in supply chains for global democracies. Going forward, in addition to our 5+2 innovative industries plan and Six Core Strategic Industries policy, we will more vigorously develop Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors, namely semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications, and help expand their global presence. We will also promote the transformation and development of medium, small, and micro enterprises and help them develop their international markets. My fellow citizens, we will continue working to achieve a Taiwan that is balanced across all its regions. In the central government’s proposed general budget plan for next year, general grants for local governments and general centrally funded tax revenues increased significantly, by NT$89.5 billion, reaching a total of NT$724.1 billion, a record high. And our budget for flood control will be raised by NT$15.9 billion from this year, bringing the total to NT$55.1 billion. This will help municipalities across the country in addressing the challenges of extreme weather.  We will also expedite improvements to the safety of our national road network and create a human-friendly transportation environment. Furthermore, we will improve our mass rapid transit network and connect the greater Taipei area comprising Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan. We will roll out the new Silicon Valley plan for Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli to form a central technology cluster connecting the north with the south and launch the Smart Technology Southern Industrial Ecosystem Development Plan. We will accelerate promotion of safety in our eastern transportation network so that locals can go home on safer roads. We will also enhance basic infrastructure in the outlying island areas to raise the quality of life for locals and increase their capacity for tourism. My fellow citizens, we must all the more ensure the well-being of our people across the generations. To our young parents, we will continue to promote version 2.0 of our national childcare policy for ages 0–6. We are going even further by already increasing childcare subsidies, and we will also enhance the quality of preschool services. Children are the future of our country, and the government has the responsibility to help take care of them. To our young students, we will continue to provide free tuition for students of high schools and vocational high schools, and we will also continue to subsidize tuition for students of private junior colleges, colleges, and universities. And we are taking that a step further by establishing the Ten-Billion-Dollar Youth Overseas Dream Fund. Young people have dreams, and the government has the responsibility to help youth realize those dreams. To our young adults and those in the prime of life, next year, the minimum wage will once again be raised, and the number of rent-subsidized housing units will be increased. We will expand investment in society and provide more support across life, work, housing, and health, and support for the young and old. Raising a family is hard work, and the government has a responsibility to help lighten the load. To our senior citizens all around Taiwan, next year, Taiwan will become a “super-aged society.” In advance, we will launch our Long-term Care 3.0 Plan and gradually implement the 888 Program for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. We will also establish a NT$10 billion fund for new cancer drugs and advance the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan. We will build a stronger social safety net and provide enhanced care for the disadvantaged. And we will bring mental health support to people of all ages, including the young and middle-aged, to truly achieve care for all people of all ages throughout the whole of our society. I am deeply aware that what everyone cares about the most is the pressure of high housing prices, and that what they most detest is rampant fraud. I give the people my promise that our administration will not shirk these issues; even if it offends certain groups, we will address them no matter the price. We will redouble our efforts to combat fraud and fight housing speculation. We will expand care for renters and strike a balance with the needs of people looking to change homes. We will walk together, continuing down the path toward achieving housing justice. We have with us today former President Chen Shui-bian, former President Tsai Ing-wen, and leaders from different political parties. I want to thank all of you for attending. Your presence represents the strength our nation has built up over generations, as well as the values and significance of Taiwan’s diverse democracy. Our nation must become more united, and our society must grow more stable. I also want to thank Legislative Yuan President Han and Premier Cho for recently initiating cooperation among the ruling and opposition parties to facilitate discussion among the ruling and opposition party caucuses. In democratic countries, political parties internally promote the nation’s progress through competition, and externally they unite to work toward achieving national interests. No matter our political party, no matter our political stances, national interests come before the interests of parties, and the interests of parties can never take precedence over the interests of the people. And this is precisely the spirit upheld by those who sacrificed, who gave everything they had, in order to establish the Republic of China. This is the lesson we take from our predecessors who, generation upon generation, overcame authoritarianism, and sacrificed and devoted themselves to the pursuit of democracy. That is precisely why, regardless of party affiliation or regardless of our differences, we are gathered here today. Regardless of what name we choose to call our nation – the Republic of China; Taiwan; or the Republic of China Taiwan – we must all share common convictions: Our determination to defend our national sovereignty remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain unchanged. Our commitment to hoping for parity and dignity, and healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges between the two sides of the strait remains unchanged. Our determination, from one generation to the next, to protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. I believe this is the dream that Taiwan’s 23 million people all share; it is also the shared ideal that Taiwanese society and the international community hold. The stronger the commitment of the Taiwanese people, the greater the tenacity of democracy around the world. The greater the tenacity of the Taiwanese people, the stronger the commitment of democracy around the world. Let’s keep going, Republic of China! Let’s keep going, Taiwan! Regardless of our differences, let’s keep going forward! Thank you.

On the morning of June 24, President Lai Ching-te delivered his remarks on recent legislative amendments. In remarks, President Lai emphasized opposition to an expansion of legislative power, not legislative reforms, and said that the legislature should naturally engage in reforms, but refrain from an excessive expansion of power, adding that any proposal for legislative reform should remain legal and constitutional. Particularly, the president said, the investigative powers of the Legislative Yuan should not infringe upon the powers of the judiciary or the Control Yuan, and more importantly, they must not infringe upon people’s basic rights, including the right to privacy, trade secrets, and the freedom to withhold expression. Therefore, on the basis of safeguarding the constitutional order and protecting the rights of the people, the president stated that he will petition the Constitutional Court for a constitutional interpretation, as well as petition for a preliminary injunction. Emphasizing that the president’s role is as a guardian of democratic and constitutional governance, President Lai said that given that there are concerns about the recent amendments being unconstitutional, concerns that they confound constitutional provisions on the separation of powers and those on checks and balances, it is incumbent upon him to perform his duties as president and take action. Today, he said, he has decided to petition the Constitutional Court for a constitutional interpretation to rule on the constitutionality and legitimacy of the recent amendments. Stating that this approach is responsible to our nation and to our history and actually reflects the expectations of the people, the president expressed his hope that all of our fellow citizens can work together to safeguard our constitutional system and more deeply entrench our democracy, allowing for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s democracy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: One month ago, I was sworn in as president, taking an oath before the people to observe the Constitution and faithfully perform my duties. Therefore, following the legislature’s passing of amendments to the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power and to the Criminal Code, earlier this morning, I signed these amendments into law in accordance with the Constitution, and will promulgate the bills today. However, aside from the deliberative process over the amendments raising pronounced concerns from the public, the contents of the bills also risk compromising the constitutional principle of separation of powers, as well as that of checks and balances. A moment ago, Attorney Hong Wei-sheng (洪偉勝) explained our reasons for seeking to petition for a constitutional interpretation. I would like to share with our fellow citizens that it is the responsibility and mission of the president to safeguard our free and democratic constitutional system and protect the rights of the people. In a free and democratic constitutional system, core principles include separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of human rights. Separation of powers should be based on the Constitution, with the branches working independently while respecting one another. Regarding checks and balances, branches should function according to their institutional design to ensure constitutionally responsible government. Therefore, I must emphasize that we are opposing an expansion of legislative power, not legislative reforms. The legislature should naturally engage in reforms, but refrain from an excessive expansion of power. Any proposal for legislative reform should remain legal and constitutional. Particularly, the investigative powers of the Legislative Yuan should not infringe upon the powers of the judiciary or the Control Yuan. More importantly, they must not infringe upon people’s basic rights, including the right to privacy, trade secrets, and the freedom to withhold expression. Therefore, on the basis of safeguarding the constitutional order and protecting the rights of the people, I will petition the Constitutional Court for a constitutional interpretation, as well as petition for a preliminary injunction. On the issue of the president giving an address on the state of the nation at the Legislative Yuan, there are already existing regulations in place in the Constitution and the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power. During legislative sessions, the legislature may invite the president to give a state of the nation address on national security and major policies. I have previously said that on the condition of legal and constitutional procedures, I am willing to deliver a state of the nation address at the Legislative Yuan. However, recent amendments passed by the legislature redefine the president’s address on the state of the nation as compulsory and require that the address be followed with an on-the-spot question and answer session, in an attempt to change the design of responsible government in the Constitution. This disrupts the institution of the Executive Yuan being responsible to the Legislative Yuan, leading to concerns about an overreaching expansion of the power originally bestowed to legislators by the Constitution. As president, I will not impose my personal opinions on the constitutional order; nor will I place my personal interests before national interests. As a physician, I deeply understand that any diagnosis should be made with care. When performing organ transplants, the physician must carefully evaluate and match various attributes, such as blood type, physical constitution, and other conditions. The same principles for treating illness hold true for governing a country. Institutional or legal transplants performed in the absence of careful evaluation or discussion could lead to negative outcomes for the nation’s constitutional governance and the protection of the people’s rights. We must address these issues seriously. Every law has far-reaching impact on our nation, our society, and the next generation. The president’s role is as a guardian of democratic and constitutional governance. Given that there are concerns about the recent amendments being unconstitutional, concerns that they confound constitutional provisions on the separation of powers and those on checks and balances, it is incumbent upon me to perform my duties as president and take action. Today, I have decided to petition the Constitutional Court for a constitutional interpretation to rule on the constitutionality and legitimacy of the recent amendments. This approach is responsible to our nation and to our history and actually reflects the expectations of the people. The Constitution stands as the supreme legal basis of our nation, and the Constitutional Court is the highest judicial organ that works to maintain the constitutional order and protect the rights of citizens. As to the interpretation, ruling and opposition parties must respect and accept the results, no matter what they turn out to be. And we also hope that the public will be able to support the results. In the coming days, as this process of constitutional interpretation unfolds, there will be much discussion and debate among the public. I am confident that this will be a reaffirmation, by Taiwanese society, of our democratic and constitutional governance, and that it will make our democratic society even more mature. For democracy to be even more deeply entrenched, it needs defending, and it needs dialogue. And the historic moment to defend the constitutional structure of free democracy is now. I hope that all of my fellow citizens can work together to safeguard our constitutional system and more deeply entrench our democracy, allowing for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s democracy. Thank you. Also in attendance were Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安), Deputy Secretary-General to the President Xavier Chang (張惇涵), and agent ad litem Attorney Hong.