Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

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

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

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

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

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

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.