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!

President Lai Ching-te on the morning of October 10 attended the ROC’s 114th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building, and delivered an address titled “A New Taiwan Rises in a Time of Change.” 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), Her Excellency the Governor-General of Belize Froyla Tzalam and Mr. Daniel Mendez, His Excellency the Governor-General of St. Lucia Errol Charles and First Lady Anysia Charles, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Paraguay Raúl Latorre, Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji, heads of delegations from diplomatic allies and friendly nations, members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and my fellow citizens here in person and watching on TV or online: Good morning. Today is the National Day of the Republic of China, and while we gather every year to celebrate the nation’s birthday, this year is an especially significant one. It is a historic year for Taiwan’s democratization. One month ago, September 10, was the historic date when the number of days Taiwan had spent free from martial law officially surpassed the number of days endured under its stifling rule. This signifies that we have parted entirely from an authoritarian regime and its shadow, and have ushered in a democratic future full of hope. We will not forget the blood and tears of those who united to defend against aggression, nor will we forget the selfless sacrifices of past generations in pursuit of democracy and freedom, granting sovereignty to the people. Those stories, which have become woven into the fabric of our land, are our collective memory. Democratic Taiwan, forged through untold hardships, is what most clearly positions the 23 million people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu in this world. Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in Asia. For every person still living in darkness under authoritarian rule, we forever shine the light of hope. This year also saw Taiwan’s rise. Nations around the world are suffering drastic changes and challenges, and Taiwan is no exception. In addition to the Russia-Ukraine war, turmoil in the Middle East, and China’s continued military expansion, the United States’ tariff policy has delivered a blow to economies and industries alike. But the people of Taiwan are still on their feet. And not only that – this year’s economic performance greatly impressed the global community. According to the Asian Development Bank’s latest report, Taiwan’s economic growth rate this year leapt from 3.3 to 5.1 percent, leading the Four Asian Tigers and surpassing China. Taiwanese exports have continued to reach record highs, and employment is at its best in 25 years. Our stock market has also risen for six consecutive months, hitting an all-time high of 27,301 points. Taiwan’s market capitalization has topped US$3 trillion, making our stock market the world’s eighth largest, and foreign exchange reserves surpassed US$600 billion for the first time, setting a new record. In the midst of adversity, we remain undaunted. In the midst of challenges, we grow ever stronger. These are achievements that the people of Taiwan made together. Let us all celebrate them!  These impressive economic accomplishments also reflect the stellar record of Taiwan’s semiconductor, ICT, electronic component, and other leading industries. Their advantageous position in the global supply chain is the result of long-term key policies for the development of technological and manufacturing capabilities, unique business models, and government-led science parks. This is a monumental industrial achievement forged by decades of combined efforts, and it belongs to all the people of Taiwan. As president, it is my mission to protect these valuable assets and use them to boost Taiwan’s and even worldwide industrial and economic growth, helping to create even better lives for people in Taiwan and around the world. This is also the direction Taiwan is taking. Of course, we will certainly not ignore the formidable challenges in this time of global change, and the risks they pose to different industries, different fields, and groups of different backgrounds. Many of the champions, traditional industries, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) leading Taiwan’s economic growth from behind the scenes are facing the pressure of the digital and net-zero transition. Many workers feel concerned and uneasy about job opportunities, salaries, commodity prices, and cost of living in the face of the AI wave. Farmers are also being impacted by an aging rural population and market liberalization. The government will not take these challenges lightly, and will not ignore the impact they have on each and every citizen. It is our responsibility to put our full effort into assisting traditional industries, MSMEs, working families, and those in the agricultural and fishing industries. Therefore, in addition to having proposed a 93-billion-NT-dollar tariff impact support plan to help enterprises, workers, and those in the agricultural and fishing industries weather this difficult time, the government will also be investing tens of billions of dollars each year to help MSMEs introduce AI into their work so they can move toward digital and net-zero upgrading and transformation and address challenges. For traditional machine tools, screws and nuts, and other industries that are facing difficulties, we will also be proposing separate countermeasures to actively help boost competitiveness and expand the market. My fellow citizens, times of change are also times of opportunity. Taiwan’s economic performance is clear for all to see, and our key position in the global supply chain can neither be challenged nor replaced. In the face of change, we must not doubt ourselves or waver, but seize opportunities with confidence and bravely follow through. We must not be complacent or turn back, but even more proactively forge ahead in the world. A Taiwan that is certain will serve as an important, reliable, and steady force for an uncertain world. Moving ahead, we will adopt three major strategies in order to ensure the Republic of China Taiwan’s competitive advantage: First, we will expand investment in Taiwan. Our Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan have yielded substantial results. Investment has surpassed NT$2.5 trillion, creating over 160,000 job opportunities. In July, the Executive Yuan extended the programs to 2027 while also expanding applicable industries and eligibility to include overseas Taiwanese businesses worldwide and foreign investing enterprises. The government is continuing to optimize the investment environment, adding NT$720 billion in new loans to attract investment in Taiwan and bring in an estimated NT$1.2 trillion in capital and 80,000 more job opportunities. Besides having good work, we should also have good lives. With this in mind, the government launched the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan to encourage copious investment of private capital in public infrastructure through innovative public-private partnerships. It expands funding for construction while at the same time promoting critical infrastructure projects across counties and cities nationwide, in areas such as water, electricity, housing, education, healthcare, culture, tourism, and transportation. This will help meet local residents’ needs so they can live happy lives, and enable industries and spheres of living to develop in a complementary way so that we can achieve our goal of a balanced Taiwan. Second, we will deepen international economic and trade cooperation, and expand our global presence. This year, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, under the framework of our Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement, additionally signed three pillar arrangements in investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This marks a new milestone for Taiwan-UK economic and trade relations, showing our mutual commitment to high international trade standards and laying the foundation for cooperation in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other strategic industries. Moving ahead, Taiwan will sign bilateral economic and trade cooperation agreements with even more friends and allies while upholding the principle of mutual benefits. We will also actively engage in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the US to secure a reasonable rate, resolve the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US, and deepen industrial cooperation. This will enable Taiwan’s economic development to become more globally connected and thereby make great strides. Third, we are building a chain of “guardian mountains” to shore up Taiwan’s industrial capabilities. In this digital age, we will implement 10 new AI infrastructure initiatives. In addition to helping make Taiwan one of the world’s top five computing centers, we will also invest more vigorously in R&D in three key technological fields: quantum technology, silicon photonics, and robotics. This will facilitate the introduction of AI tools in different sectors and professions, and promote the application of AI in various fields, helping Taiwan move toward an era of comprehensive smart technology and continue to maintain its leading position in global tech development. We are also building Taiwan into a hub in Asia for asset management. This will not only help retain trillions in Taiwanese capital, but attract investment in Taiwan with international capital, promoting growth in the financial industry, creating quality job opportunities, and strengthening Taiwan. The biopharmaceutical industry is a key national industry and has thus been included in our National Project of Hope. We are also developing toward greater use of precision health in health maintenance, preventive medicine, diagnosis, treatment, and care, giving our nation durable competitiveness and advancing the well-being of our people. Next year, our National Infectious Diseases Bank will be completed, and Taiwan will continue stepping up its cooperation with other countries in the field of biotechnology. Through our program for investment in smart healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship, with its budget of NT$10 billion, we will encourage more firms to invest in innovative R&D, expand investment, and move the biomedical industry toward becoming a trillion-NT-dollar industry, which will be one more guardian mountain for our nation. My fellow citizens, Taiwan is for all the people of Taiwan. We are well aware that no matter how impressive our economic performance may be, we must not overlook anyone on this land. The fruits of our economic growth should be enjoyed by all our people. Good numbers should translate into good lives, with no one left behind. Helping our citizens stay healthy, nurturing young talent, creating an even better environment for the younger generation, and providing greater support for young families is the government’s absolute responsibility. The Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan, launched this year, is improving the medical environment and system overall and will ensure higher quality healthcare services for all citizens. Also this year, we officially established the Ministry of Sports, ushering in a new era of sports for all, competitive sports, and professional sports. With this new ministry, we aim to ensure that all athletes receive full national support so that they can pursue their dreams on the global stage, winning national glory. In addition, to support our young people, we are providing free tuition for high schools and vocational schools, and an NT$35,000 annual tuition subsidy for students of private junior colleges, colleges, and universities. Our Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, which supports young people aged 15 to 30 in pursuing their dreams abroad, is officially underway. Moreover, for renters, the government provides NT$30 billion in annual rent subsidies. Unmarried renters with an annual income below NT$626,000, families of four with a combined annual income below NT$1.641 million, and households with three generations living together with a combined annual income below NT$2.1245 million will be exempt from individual income tax. We will also provide even greater support to the young parents in our society. In addition to promoting version 2.0 of our national childcare policy for ages 0–6, with increased childcare allowances and expanded childcare subsidies, starting next year, the government will provide an increased birth subsidy of NT$100,000 per child. Nor do our senior citizens need to worry. Next year, with the launch of Long-Term Care 3.0, the government will work hard to ensure that all seniors receive more convenient, more comprehensive care. Our goal is to ensure that all to whom the nation belongs – our children, young people, parents, and grandparents – receive better care so that they can face the future with greater confidence. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The lessons of World War II are still fresh in our memory. The ambitions of the aggressors in that conflict caused widespread devastation and loss of life. In today’s world, authoritarianism continues to expand and the international order faces severe challenges. Regional order in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea, and even the security of the entire first island chain, are under serious threat. Democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community. As such, Taiwan will work to uphold the status quo, ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promote the prosperous development of the region. We look forward to the day when China can take responsibility as a major power and cease its distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and historical World War II documents. We also hope it will renounce the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait so that we can jointly maintain the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific. Looking back at World War II, we see that so many experienced the suffering of war and the pain of invasion. We should learn from these lessons and ensure that the tragedies of history are never repeated. The outcomes of that conflict tell us that aggression fails, unity prevails, and that peace is won through strength. I want to declare to our citizens and the international community: At the end of this year, we will be proposing a special budget for national defense. Defense spending, as it is defined by NATO, will exceed 3 percent of GDP next year, and will reach 5 percent of GDP by 2030, showing our determination to safeguard the nation. The increase in defense spending has a purpose; it is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defense industries. Through our new defense budget, we aim to achieve three major goals: First, we will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens. Second, we will advance the integration of high-tech and AI technologies to build a smart defense combat system, maximizing effective deterrence for our asymmetric strategy. Third, we will continue to invest in innovative defense technologies and collaborate with the military industries of advanced nations to bolster our defense industry capabilities. We will strengthen our domestic supply chains through local R&D, design, and manufacturing. This will enable Taiwan to accelerate industry upgrades, enhance the resilience of our military equipment, and boost the capacity of our defense industry. In that way, Taiwan, becoming a trusted security partner for our friends and allies, can jointly avoid the red supply chain and foster trust in defense among free and democratic countries, while building a robust line of defense to safeguard the values of freedom and democracy. We are determined to maintain peace through strength. We firmly believe that strength is not obtained through military strength alone, but must also rely on resilience throughout society. Over the past year, through the efforts of the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, we have built up greater strength between the government and private sector, and between the central and local governments. We have integrated disaster prevention and defense to strengthen military-civilian cooperation. We have also continued to strengthen resilience in civilian training, energy, healthcare, information and communications networks, and finance, comprehensively enhancing our ability to respond to various crises. I want to emphasize that building societal defense and resilience requires every ounce of effort. Last month, we released our updated national public safety guide, which includes strategies for responding to various natural disasters and even extreme scenarios such as a military invasion. We plan to gradually ensure that each and every household has access to this safety guide, because only when all of society participates and learns to help themselves and one another can Taiwan develop greater resilience to face all kinds of challenges. My fellow citizens, over the past year, we have faced numerous challenges together, but the people of Taiwan never give up hope. Whenever a crisis arises, we always see numerous Taiwanese standing on the frontline, selflessly dedicating themselves to the nation they love. Just last month we saw two very moving scenes. The first was at the UN General Assembly held in New York, where many members of the overseas Taiwanese community raised money and launched a fundraising campaign to light up Times Square with advertisements to “Chip in with Taiwan,” promoting Taiwan’s participation, and advocating that we are “Better Together.” It touched the hearts of people around the world. The second was the tens of thousands of volunteers who, after the Fata’an Creek barrier lake disaster, slipped on their rain boots, shouldered their shovels, and traveled great distances to provide relief to help the affected residents of Hualien return to normal life as soon as possible.  These “superheroes with shovels” did more than dig out heavy mud and sludge to help disaster victims return home; these heroes also uncovered a light – a light of hope that warmed every heart it touched. More than that, they proved the remarkable resilience of the Taiwanese people and their resolve to protect our homeland in the face of crisis. Now, let us all thank these superheroes of disaster relief, who come from all walks of life and from all over the country, as well as friends from abroad and the military, police, firefighters, and central and local government personnel who devoted themselves to the relief effort. This spontaneous nationwide movement is absolutely unique in the world, and for that the world will remember: Taiwan, that small mountainous country, is truly compassionate, and truly great! Moving forward, I will continue to lead the country, hearts united, without fear of hardship or challenge, bravely, toward an even better tomorrow. Let’s keep going, Taiwan! Let’s keep going, Republic of China! Let’s keep going, Republic of China Taiwan! Thank you.