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2018-06-25
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President Tsai interviewed by AFP

During an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) on the morning of June 25, President Tsai Ing-wen responded to questions about Taiwan-US relations, cross-strait relations, Taiwan's international status and identity, and the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. 

A transcript of the interview questions with a translation of the president's responses follows:

Q: You said you've had some challenges since taking office. What is your next challenge?
President Tsai: During the 2016 elections, the voters of Taiwan had very high hopes and expectations for the future. In fact, 2016 was a challenging year for Taiwan and this led them to cast their votes with conviction. They had high expectations for the president and government elected in 2016 and wanted to see the changes they had hoped for as soon as possible. So for a president elected in 2016, time is a big challenge. We must race against time in order to carry out the necessary reforms – some of them fundamental reforms. For the president of Taiwan, the biggest challenge at this stage is time.

Furthermore, our society faces many trials, such as the pressure coming from China. How the president can uphold national dignity and sovereignty at the same time we maintain cross-strait peace remains another one of our biggest challenges.

For a long-time our economic development has been reliant on industrial manufacturing and OEM production. We must move towards the next phase of innovation, cutting-edge technology, and high-value industries to support our next phase of economic development. This sort of economic transition is very important for Taiwan. We are racing against time and all the other major economies of the world. 

Separately, we are faced with the fact that Taiwan is a place with many natural disasters, particularly typhoons and earthquakes. So for us, nuclear energy is a choice with relatively more risk. At the same time, faced with the threat of climate change, the continued use of fossil fuels is also a challenge. Therefore, we must develop a new option, which is renewable energy. In the past, we lacked a good foundation for this so the rapid development of renewables presented difficulties for the government.
 
Another issue is the generational gap we are facing in Taiwan society. The younger generation and the middle-aged to older generation hold many values that are in conflict with each other. This is reflected in the income distribution and labor problems. The reason we spent such time and effort on pension reform is to maintain a balance between different generations.

Q: Of the reforms you mentioned, you didn't mention same-sex marriage. Is it something that you want to achieve in your first term or is it something that you're not pushing for that hard? 
President Tsai: Same-sex marriage is also a reflection of the generational gap. In Taiwan, those above 40 tend to have different views to those under 40. However, the Grand Justices have already made a Constitutional interpretation, stating that marriage equality is Constitutionally-protected. All executive, legislative, and other branches of government must respect this ruling. So from a certain perspective, we have already completed one phase of this. Following this is the legislative process. We will bridge the differences society holds on this issue in order to propose a comprehensive bill.

Q: You use the words "pressure" and "peace." We'll get back to cross-strait relations later. What does Taiwan represent to you? How would you describe Taiwan to someone who knows very little about it?
President Tsai: If I were to describe Taiwan using one word I would say resilience. Taiwan is a place of limited resources. Over the centuries, it has gone through rule by different people. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges for every generation of Taiwanese has been how to survive. But over the centuries, the people have overcome these challenges to develop a very strong democracy and a solid economy. This shows that Taiwan is a very resilient place. 

Let me put it this way. For example, following the Second World War, Taiwan went through a long period of authoritarian rule. However, this did not lead us to go through a period of bloodshed during our democratic transition. Instead, step-by-step, Taiwan developed into one of Asia's most vibrant and diverse democracies. Today, Taiwan is a model for the region and even the world. Without a period of bloodshed, Taiwan was able to build a very good democracy and attach great importance to freedom and the protection of human rights.

At the same time, Taiwan is a place more prone to natural disasters. We also lack natural resources. But despite this, we were able to nurture a high-quality work force, which has helped set a strong foundation for our economy. Today, we are moving towards the next generation of innovation-driven economic growth. So Taiwan's economic development is also a reflection of the resilience of the Taiwanese people.

The third part is Taiwan has a very large neighbor: China. Despite China's ongoing pressure, we have still managed to uphold our values of democracy and freedom. We are still willing to contribute proactively to international society – not just through government, but also through volunteerism. Taiwan's volunteers provide a lot of assistance throughout the world, and are widely-recognized for their ability to contribute wherever there are difficulties or natural disasters. 

Q: Do you love Taiwan's democracy and freedom the most?
President Tsai: If I were to label Taiwan, I would label Taiwan as an island of resilience.

Q: Moving to political topics, I noticed that you often mention pressure from China. Would you say that the status quo in cross-strait relations has changed and that now there is more pressure from China than before?
President Tsai: We have been consistently withstanding pressure from China over the past two years. However, more recently, we have seen them take more aggressive actions that have impacted the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It is not just the people of Taiwan that feel this way. I trust that the international community has seen China take many actions against Taiwan during this time, including military exercises, forcing airlines to change their designation of Taiwan, and more. This has given the international community a clear impression of how China is changing the status quo. They are threatening the balance that has existed for a long time between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Q: How do you explain China's aggression over the past two years?
President Tsai: For the past two years, and even longer, China has grown increasingly aggressive. Of course, they want to stifle Taiwan in order to widen the distance between itself and Taiwan's democracy and freedom. But they also have regional ambitions. China wants to demonstrate its hegemony in the region. They want to show that they are able to dominate the security, economic, and other forces in the region. China's intentions should be very clear to the international community.

Q: You have solemnly stated that China's attempts to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty have challenged the island's bottom line. Can you elaborate on what the bottom line is? 
President Tsai: I believe that the people of Taiwan share the same view of our bottom line. First is our democracy and freedom. Our free and democratic way of life cannot be infringed on. Second, Taiwan's sovereignty cannot be suppressed and has to be respected. Third, the people of Taiwan have the right to decide their own futures – and that right cannot be undermined.

Q: What countermeasures have you taken in response to that pressure? 
President Tsai: We must continue to strengthen our democracy, economy, and national capacity to protect our country and the values we cherish. 

But in addition to this, this is not just Taiwan's challenge; it is a challenge for the region and the world as a whole. Because today it's Taiwan, but tomorrow it may be any other country that will have to face the expansion of China's influence. Their democracy, freedom, and freedom to do business will one day be affected by China. We need to work together to reaffirm our values of democracy and freedom in order to constrain China and also minimize the expansion of their hegemonic influence.

Q: Aren't you disappointed by the attitude of the international community in that respect?
President Tsai: I think that the international community is starting to see China's intentions and ambitions very clearly. For the past few years, China's oppression against Taiwan has never stopped. However, we are also seeing more and more countries stand up, support, and speak out for Taiwan. For example, Taiwan wasn't able to attend this year's World Health Assembly because of obstruction from China. But, 24 countries spoke up on our behalf, including some non-diplomatic allies. We held over 60 bilateral meetings in Geneva and received widespread support. I think this is a very clear demonstration of the growing support for Taiwan at the WHA.

Q: On the topic of pressure from China, you said that one of your challenges is to develop Taiwan's economy. As we all know, Taiwan's economy depends on your relations with China. As such, how will you alleviate the pressure on the cross-strait relations and develop the economy at the same time? 
President Tsai: First, China and Taiwan should have a common awareness that the development of businesses on either side of the Taiwan Strait is a positive thing. They shouldn't be subject to political interference. So, I would like to call on China to allow the economy to develop freely and for it to be free from political interference. 

Second, Taiwan has to make its presence globally, not just in China. We have to develop other important markets and strengthen our strategic presence, particularly in Southeast Asian countries under our New Southbound Policy. We need to enhance our efforts in Southeast Asia, India, and other countries in the region that are full of market potential. At the same time, we will step up our cooperation in medicine, healthcare, agriculture, economic development, and talent exchanges, particularly in nurturing talent.

There are a lot of experiences Taiwan can share, which are very much needed by countries in Southeast Asia. Our economic development experience is highly complementary with theirs. So, under the New Southbound Policy, we will continue to strengthen those relations.

Furthermore, we have found that our trade and investment relations with European countries are also growing stronger. European countries are the number one investor in Taiwan today. Of course, we also have our traditional economic partners, including Japan and the US. Those relations continue to be very strong.

As a result, if we are better deployed around the world, we will be able to reduce China's economic influence both against us and the international community.

Q: With pressure from China growing, are you ready to meet with Chairman Xi Jinping or under what conditions would you meet with him? 
President Tsai: I have mentioned on many occasions that as long as it is based on reciprocity, respect, and without political preconditions, as Taiwan's leader and president I will be willing – and have a responsibility – to meet with the leader of the other side. I would be willing to have an in-depth conversation of the challenges we share, as well as to share a better understanding of Taiwan's economy, society, and development with Chairman Xi. I trust that this will aid him in his policies and decision-making, in order to avoid misinterpretations or misunderstandings.

Q: Do you think that there is a chance that a meeting will happen in the near future? 
President Tsai: I think this would depend on efforts of both parties, but we will continue to let the other side know that dialogue and communication is the most important way to resolve our issues. I hope that China can see the sincerity behind our willingness to talk. I also hope that China, as a responsible partner of the region, can be aware of their own responsibility and sit down and engage in conversation with Taiwan.

Q: Is this something you want to achieve this term? Is it one of your challenges? 
President Tsai: Of course, I hope that during my term as president, there is a chance for both sides to sit down and talk. I believe that the meeting between US President Trump and DPRK Leader Kim Jong-un has provided a lot to think about. Their two countries are very far apart in terms of cultural values and other aspects, as well as the positions they hold. But they were able to sit down and talk on the basis of reciprocity and mutual respect in Singapore. I think this was a positive development for the international community. It is also an encouragement for countries that are at odds with one another.

Q: As for relations with the United States, how would you describe Taiwan-US relations?
President Tsai: In recent years, we have started to feel growing support for Taiwan from the US, including from the Executive Branch, Congress, and also the general public. In particular, over the past two years, Congress has taken measures that are very supportive of Taiwan. So I would say that overall, Taiwan-US relations are in a state of growth. This is a stable and friendly relationship.

Q: Do you want to strengthen Taiwan-US relations?
President Tsai: Yes, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relations with the US and other like-minded countries.

Q: Do you have any plan for increasing your military capacity?
President Tsai: In the face of China's threats, we feel the need for us to improve our self-defense capabilities. This is why we have sped up our efforts to ensure our self-sufficiency in defense, including by investing more into research and development and the modernization of our military equipment. This is all ongoing right now.

Q: Do you think the benefit from closer ties with Washington outweighs the countermeasures from Beijing? Is it enough? 
President Tsai: I think this is an issue of perspective. We have good friends that are close to us and others that are further from us. Our policy cannot be to ignore those who are closer to us in order to balance the feelings of those further away. What we hope is for those further away to come closer to us so that we can develop a friendlier relationship.

Q: You raised the Trump-Kim Summit as an example of how people can discuss their differences of opinion. Besides that, does this summit have any other significant implications to Taiwan and Asia as a whole? 
President Tsai: I think the Trump-Kim Summit is a very important step for this region. In the Asia-Pacific, there are a number of key issues that require people in this region to work together to resolve. The Korean Peninsula – which has been one of the main instigators of tensions in Northeast Asia for a long time – is one such issue. 

All of us have a common responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Trump-Kim Summit represents an effort to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula. For the region, this is a major encouragement and a positive development.

Q: What is the biggest threat to stability in the region? Is it China's expansion or North Korea's nuclear weapon plan? 
President Tsai: I think that both things that you mentioned are factors leading to instability or represent threats to regional peace. While I am pleased to see the positive developments taking place on the Korean Peninsula, I also hope that China's expansion can take into account their position as a major power in the region, and their attitude towards maintaining peace, stability, and an atmosphere of respect in the region. This is the attitude that a major country in the region should have.

Q: Some countries regard China's expansion, including through the One Belt, One Road initiative, as a threat and not a benefit to the target countries. Do you agree with that or do you think it is good for peace and stability, and beneficial to everyone in the world? 
President Tsai: It may be positive or it may be negative. It would have to depend on China. If China's Belt and Road initiative comes with good intentions, which is to assist the economic development of other countries, I trust that other countries will feel China's goodwill – and this will be a positive thing.

However, if there are ulterior motives behind China's Belt and Road initiative, such as an intention to interfere with their domestic politics or influence their strategic position, this may not be something that other countries would want to see. Because basically, every country wants to protect their sovereignty and their values, and avoid interference from a third country.

Q: Thus far, do you think that the One Belt, One Road initiative has had a positive or a negative impact? 
President Tsai: I believe that this Belt and Road initiative is still in its initial phase, but we are already seeing many countries becoming more anxious and uneasy about it. I think that this reflects, in part, their suspicions about the intentions and motives of China.

Q: How do you see the growing relations and dialogue between the Vatican and China? Is this something that you fear? 
President Tsai: We are watching this in a calm and rational manner. At the same time we are also paying close attention to some of the matters both parties seem to be more concerned about in the negotiations. I think that many countries, and international society at large, are watching the developments closely, because this will have an impact on the protection of religious freedom. This will be a chance to see to what extent China will be able to respect religious freedom. Major countries across the world are watching this closely and I think this is a chance for China to demonstrate their position on this issue.

Q: You mentioned that, despite the loss of certain diplomatic allies, you have enjoyed greater exchanges with the US, Japan, and many other countries. Do you believe that this trend will help you face the pressure from China? Has it upset China even more? 
President Tsai: It is our responsibility to make sure that we are strong enough to face whatever challenges or pressure comes at us. This is our most important task as Taiwanese. But we also want to call on the international community to recognize the fact that the threat we face from China is also happening, to a certain extent, elsewhere around the world. 

This is not just a threat Taiwan faces, but has far-reaching implications for the region and around the world. If the international community believes freedom and democracy are important values – universal values – then we have to stand together to protect those values. Working together, we have to give China pressure so that it will uphold its responsibilities as a major country in the region.

Q: You think that China is not a responsible superpower?
President Tsai: I hope that they will become aware of their responsibilities.

Q: So they're not?
President Tsai: I think that this is something that China has to think about themselves and come to a conclusion of their own.

Q: Would you like to talk about Taiwanese identity? How would you like Taiwan to be recognized globally? 
President Tsai: Taiwan is a very unique place. Over the past couple hundreds of years, we have overcome a lot of challenges and threats to build a very strong democracy and economy, as well as a sound social structure. Overall, the people of Taiwan have created a distinct identity due to the challenges we have faced. This is our collective memory. It is something we are proud of. It is why the people of Taiwan choose to be recognized as Taiwanese. Our common memories, experiences, and values together make us Taiwanese.

Q: Has Taiwan's democratization caused you to become discouraged? As you improve ties with various countries, the world can better see how Taiwan is being isolated and how China is developing. Taiwan considers itself a model democracy and perhaps even deserves to be recognized for the fact, but yet it remains unacknowledged. Isn't this discouraging to you? 
President Tsai: Of course there are times when we feel frustrated. But the Taiwanese people do not have the option of giving up. Over past centuries, through our resilience, we have overcome so much hardship and challenge. Of course, we also hope that the international community can support and encourage Taiwan. This is one of the reasons we're having this interview today.

President Tsai Ing-wen is interviewed by AFP at the Presidential Office.
President Tsai is interviewed by AFP at the Presidential Office.
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As a result, we remain supportive as President Trump seeks investments from Taiwanese semiconductor companies and suppliers in the US. We hope Taiwan can support the reindustrialization of the US. President Trump wants the US to become the world center for AI, and we are willing to assist in this. As I said earlier, we hope Taiwan-US tariff negotiations will not only help reduce the US trade deficit, but also deepen bilateral economic cooperation, further integrate Taiwan’s industries with the American economic structure, and strengthen the Taiwan-US relationship. This will contribute to global prosperity and development. Q: Do you think that President Trump’s timeline, this idea that 40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors could be manufactured in the United States in the next two or three years, is realistic? President Lai: We understand President Trump’s sense of urgency; he wants the United States to maintain an edge in global competition. Whether this target of 40 to 50 percent can be achieved within this timeframe depends not only on Taiwan’s support but also on the US government’s ability to facilitate land acquisition, water and electricity supply, workforce and talent development, and investment incentives. If the US government manages to do this well and effectively, then this goal becomes much more achievable. Q: There’s a big debate in the United States right now about whether companies like Nvidia should be allowed to sell their most advanced chips to China. And there has not been a real answer yet here in the US. I’m curious what you think about that. Do you think that the most advanced chips should be allowed to be exported to China? President Lai: As Taiwan’s president, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on US domestic policy. But I can share an experience: Around the year 2000, Taiwan faced a similar debate about whether our advanced chip manufacturing capabilities should move to mainland China. There was an extensive and thorough discussion across society and among different political parties. The consensus was that it would be unwise and should not happen. Looking back, that decision was correct. Had Taiwan allowed its most advanced manufacturing to relocate to China, Taiwan would not be what it is today. Q: Final question for you. Your economy is red hot right now, in large part because of the AI boom. It’s a two-part question. I wonder whether you’re worried about an AI boom being an AI bubble. And I’m also curious how you think about the Chinese economy today and how that relates to how President Xi even views Taiwan, and when and if it would consider either invading or, through using the gray zone, trying to effectively cut off or control Taiwan. President Lai: There are many different views in the tech and economic communities. Some say AI could become a bubble; others say it may not. As a political leader, I believe the AI era will bring greater convenience to people’s lives, stimulate economic development, and contribute to global prosperity. That is why we must take steps to prevent AI from becoming a bubble. In other words, leaders around the world – especially those from countries with AI-related industries – should work together and take necessary measures to ensure AI develops sustainably and has a soft landing, so that it can drive long-term global growth. China’s economy is indeed struggling. Taiwan’s growth rate this year is projected to reach 7.37 percent, while international financial institutions estimate China’s growth to be only a little above 4 percent. We sincerely hope that as China faces economic pressures, President Xi Jinping will focus not on territorial expansion but on improving the well-being of the Chinese people. Taiwan is willing to help and to cooperate in addressing these economic challenges.
中文
2025-12-03
Presidential Office thanks US President Trump for signing Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act  
The Presidential Office extends its sincere appreciation to United States President Donald Trump, who on December 2 (US EST) formally signed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which stipulates that the US Secretary of State shall conduct a review of the Department of State’s guidance that governs relations with Taiwan, including related documents, and reissue such guidance not less than every five years, as well as submit an updated report to Congress not later than 90 days after completing the review. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) stated that the entry into force of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act carries great significance in that it affirms the value of US interaction with Taiwan, supports closer Taiwan-US relations, and stands as a firm symbol of our shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. Spokesperson Kuo also indicated that in addition to Taiwan and the US sharing the fundamental values of freedom and democracy, a robust Taiwan-US relationship is a cornerstone for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to maintain close contact with the US, deepen our partnerships across many sectors, and serve as a steady force for global prosperity and development. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will work hand in hand with the US and other like-minded countries in the region to ensure peace, prosperity, and stable development in the Indo-Pacific.  
中文
2025-11-26
President Lai holds press conference on national security action plans to safeguard democratic Taiwan
On the morning of November 26, President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security meeting regarding action plans to safeguard democratic Taiwan. Following the meeting, the president held a press conference to address intensifying threats from China against Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, introducing two major action plans: to uphold national sovereignty with a comprehensive democratic defense, and to bolster defense capabilities while developing a robust, full-spectrum defense industry. President Lai stated that the national security team and executive agencies will take action to demonstrate to the world Taiwan’s firm resolve and will to safeguard the nation and maintain the status quo. He said that the government aims to build defense capabilities, economic strength, and democratic defense mechanisms sufficient for Taiwan to protect itself, comprehensively responding to urgent national security threats and sparing no effort to safeguard democratic Taiwan. The president emphasized that democracy is not a provocation, and Taiwan’s existence is no excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo. Safeguarding democratic Taiwan, he said, is the shared responsibility of the government, ruling and opposition parties, and all the people of Taiwan. He expressed hope that all citizens will unite to safeguard the nation and the freedom of Taiwan’s people. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Earlier today, I convened a high-level national security meeting to hear a briefing from our team regarding the current national security situation. The Beijing authorities have recently been comprehensively advancing attempts to turn democratic Taiwan into “Taiwan, China.” This has already posed a severe threat to our national security and Taiwan’s freedom and democracy. After thorough discussion, we have formulated a concrete strategic response: two national security action plans to safeguard democratic Taiwan, which I will now present. As the international community has noted, China’s threats against Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region are intensifying. Recently, hybrid threats, including various types of military provocations, maritime gray-zone tactics, and disinformation and cognitive operations, have occurred continuously in and around Japan, the Philippines, and the Taiwan Strait, causing deep unease and disturbance for all parties in the region, including Taiwan. Furthermore, the Beijing authorities have set the goal of completing military preparations to attempt unification with Taiwan by force by 2027, and are accelerating preparations for an attempted invasion. They continue to ramp up military exercises and gray-zone aggression around Taiwan with the ambition to annex Taiwan by militarily forcing unification or surrender. Aside from its use of military force, China is also escalating legal, psychological, and public opinion warfare in its effort to erase Taiwan’s sovereignty from the world stage. By opposing independence, urging for unification, and engaging in transnational repression, it is attempting to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the Republic of China government and create a false impression of their substantive “governance” over Taiwan. China is expanding its united front infiltration and division tactics within Taiwan, with the aim of obscuring the national identity of our citizens and weakening our unity, all to forcibly impose their goals of “one country, two systems” and “governance by ‘patriots’” in Taiwan. The purpose of these actions is to take a free and prosperous Taiwan, a Taiwan that shines on the world stage, a democratic Taiwan, and lock it in an authoritarian cage under the label “Taiwan, China.” This would allow them to achieve their ambition of annexing Taiwan and dominating the Indo-Pacific region. To address this situation, which is more severe than ever, our national security team has formulated two major action plans to fully address urgent national security threats and safeguard democratic Taiwan. The first of these is to uphold national sovereignty with a comprehensive democratic defense. I want to reiterate that democratic Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation; that among people here and in the international community, some call this land the Republic of China, some call it Taiwan, and some, the Republic of China Taiwan; that the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other; that Taiwan resists annexation or encroachment upon its sovereignty; and that the future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by the 23 million people of Taiwan. This is the status quo that we must uphold. Therefore, we firmly oppose China’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and its manipulation of historical World War II documents to falsify historical facts and falsely claim that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China. We remain highly vigilant to the reality that while accelerating preparations to attempt unification with Taiwan by military force, China is also intensifying its push – internationally, across the strait, and in various fields – for an ostensibly “peaceful” unification that is in reality a forced unification, with the goal of bringing Taiwan under the jurisdiction of China. When it comes to national security, there is no room for compromise. National sovereignty and the core values of freedom and democracy are the foundation of Taiwan’s establishment. This struggle is not about ideology, and even less is it about unification versus independence. Rather, it is about defending democratic Taiwan and refusing to submit and become “Taiwan, China.” This is the shared position of the Taiwanese people. To uphold our sovereignty and build a strong democratic defense, we will take the following concrete actions: First, our national security team will work with the relevant agencies to establish a permanent task force to formulate action plans centered around democratic Taiwan versus “Taiwan, China.” Through strategic international and domestic communication, historical narrative, and counter-lawfare, these plans will help link Taiwan society and friends and allies to show the world that democratic Taiwan has the determination and will to defend itself and resolutely maintain the status quo. They will also comprehensively counter Beijing’s hegemonic actions that attempt to eliminate the sovereignty of the Republic of China and take away the freedom of Taiwan’s people, all of which disrupt the status quo. Second, facts and truth are the foundation upon which democratic countries build social trust and strengthen national identity. The Executive Yuan will assess China’s intervention, interference, and possible impact during major acts of governance and elections. By revealing the facts and ensuring the circulation of correct information, we will enhance the understanding and awareness of all sectors of society regarding Beijing’s interference in our internal affairs and its promotion of forced unification, strengthen our national identity, and achieve internal unity in facing external forces. Third, the 17 major strategies to counter China’s united front infiltration and national security threats that were released and implemented in March this year have already yielded initial results. The government will continue to implement those strategies and accelerate the promotion of legislation for 10 national security laws and related administrative measures to strengthen our protection of national security. Fourth, the Executive Yuan, along with the National Security Council (NSC), will take concrete measures and effective countermeasures against China’s transnational repression of Taiwan’s people, including: establishing a reporting, liaison, and protection system for victims; strengthening strategic communication with friendly and allied countries and international organizations to enhance transnational cooperation to protect potential victims; and improving the legal system and severely punishing local collaborators who assist China in carrying out transnational suppression, harming our nation and its citizens. Fifth, opinion polls show that the people of Taiwan have always overwhelmingly opposed China’s “one country, two systems” model for Taiwan. Through government policy declarations, Legislative Yuan resolutions, and collective action by political parties and civil society groups, it should be established that for Taiwan society, the “one country, two systems” model crosses a red line. On that basis, institutional norms should be established for exchanges and political dialogue between domestic political parties, legal entities, or civil society organizations and China, while using the principles of democratic governance and transparency to prevent China from exploiting Taiwan’s internal conflicts to promote forced unification. Next is an explanation of the second action plan: bolstering defense capabilities while developing a robust, full-spectrum defense industry. Peace is won through strength, and investing in national defense is investing in security, and investing in peace. Faced with China’s ever-increasing military threats and hegemonic ambitions toward the region and Taiwan, democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region such as Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and even Australia are gradually forming a consensus on island chain defense and responsibility sharing, making more national defense investments, and strengthening their response to China’s threats. As the most important and critical link in the first island chain of defense, Taiwan must not become a gap in regional security. Taiwan must show determination, and take on greater responsibility for self-defense by enhancing national defense more quickly, dealing with threats through indigenous defense and joint deterrence. Three major strategies – denial, resilience, and the adoption of smart technologies – will be used to achieve the following three phased goals: The first goal is to achieve a high level of combat readiness for our armed forces’ joint combat units by 2027 to effectively deter threats from China. The second goal is to further build highly resilient and comprehensive deterrent defense capabilities by 2033. Our ultimate goal is to build national defense capabilities that can defend democratic Taiwan indefinitely. For this, we will take the following concrete actions: First, in response to development trends in global defense, Taiwan will systematically increase defense spending. 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, demonstrating our determination to defend the nation. Second, to build key combat capabilities for future warfare scenarios, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has completed the planning and budgeting for a special act on procurement for enhancing defense, resilience, and asymmetric capabilities. Over the next eight years (2026-2033), we plan to invest NT$1.25 trillion to develop an advanced defense system including three major features: the T-Dome, a multi-layered air defense system with high-level detection and effective interception; the introduction of advanced technologies and AI to form a resilient defense system that enables efficient decision-making and precision strikes; and enhanced indigenous defense capabilities, expanding the defense industry for economic and security benefits. Third, the Executive Yuan will complete their review of the draft act and submit it to the Legislative Yuan. It will also instruct the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics to properly manage funding sources and finances to avoid crowding out other budget items. Fourth, in view of the successful integration and rapid iteration of new technologies, the MND will comprehensively optimize and strengthen equipment procurement mechanisms, accelerate acquisition and military development timelines, and ensure anti-corruption measures are in place to prevent delays. Fifth, while introducing advanced equipment and continuously developing asymmetric capabilities and defense resilience, the MND will to its utmost to implement comprehensive and timely reforms to optimize military force structure and develop new training methods, tactics, and logistical support. Increasing defense spending not only enhances military capabilities and national security, but also strengthens defense industry development and boosts national income. In addition to foreign procurement, this special budget will allocate a significant portion to domestic construction projects, commercial purchasing, and commissioned production, creating substantial economic output and employment opportunities. With Taiwan’s strong capabilities in high tech and manufacturing, including an integrated ecosystem of semiconductors, ICT, and AI, as well as precision machinery and related foundational industries, the country can play a significant role in the global advanced defense and military industry. This can also drive the transformation and upgrading of domestic industries and the economy, enabling more engineers and technology professionals to help strengthen national defense, fulfilling our goal of building a strong nation with prosperous citizens. Sixth, the government will promptly formulate an action plan for defense and military industry development. On this basis, we will develop a comprehensive strategy to further advance Taiwan’s industry and economy. Seventh, to support cooperation with friends and allies and build non-red supply chains, we will strengthen measures on the protection of high tech to fully safeguard and utilize advanced technologies. Eighth, the NSC, together with the MND and relevant agencies, will strengthen public communication, build consensus, and secure the support and recognition of our people, guided by the principle of investing in defense, peace, and Taiwan’s economic future. My fellow citizens, China has many scenarios for annexing Taiwan, but the greatest threat of all is not their military force, but our giving in. Under China’s united front offensive, some individuals regard upholding democracy and enjoying freedom as a provocation to China, mistakenly believing that if the people of Taiwan are willing to give up some freedoms or sacrifice some sovereignty, and humbly accept the transformation of democratic Taiwan into “Taiwan, China,” it could somehow secure “peace.” History, however, has shown that compromising with aggressors only leads to endless war and oppression. In 1938, many in Europe believed that if Czechoslovakia ceded some territory to the fascists, it could secure a generation of peace. Instead, it triggered the full outbreak of World War II, bringing untold suffering and tragedy. In 1951, the people of Tibet thought that by signing the Seventeen Point Agreement with Beijing, they could preserve their culture and way of life. Instead, their snowy nation became a red plateau under communist control. Democracy is not a provocation, and Taiwan’s existence is no excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo. As a democratic country, our ruling and opposition parties may hold differing views, but we sincerely hope that in safeguarding democracy and freedom of the Republic of China Taiwan and ensuring national sovereignty, we can oppose any actions that disrupt the status quo of peace and stability in the region. Protecting democratic Taiwan and preventing Taiwan from being forcibly annexed or reduced to “Taiwan, China” must be the shared responsibility of the government, ruling and opposition parties, and all the people of Taiwan. We must all unite to safeguard our nation and the freedom of Taiwan’s people. Our national security team and administrative agencies will now take action to build defense capabilities, economic strength, and democratic defense mechanisms sufficient for Taiwan to protect itself – laying an unshakable foundation to secure Taiwan’s safety and national sovereignty. For Taiwan, for the Republic of China, let us all take action together! Thank you. May Taiwan be blessed! Let’s keep going, Taiwan!
中文
2025-12-04
President Lai interviewed by The New York Times DealBook Summit
In a recent interview via videoconference with The New York Times for its DealBook Summit, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Andrew Ross Sorkin on topics including Taiwan’s national defense, cross-strait relations, Taiwan-US relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the semiconductor industry. The interview was broadcast in the early morning of December 4. The DealBook Summit is a major annual event held by The New York Times aimed at facilitating dialogue among leaders from various sectors and sharing their insights and analyses on international affairs. This year’s summit was held on December 3 (US EST) in New York, and included such speakers as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, and Turning Point USA CEO and Chair of the Board Erika Kirk. The following is the full text of the interview: Q: Here’s where I want to start the conversation. You’ve just announced this past week that you’re introducing a US$40 billion special budget for military spending to buy more weapons from the US to try to deter China from invading Taiwan. What indicators, and perhaps new indicators, are you looking at that shows an increased threat to Taiwan? President Lai: We can see that China’s military drills targeted at Taiwan are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. They have even moved beyond the first island chain into the second, affecting the wider Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, China’s united front influence campaigns against Taiwan are also becoming more serious. In order to safeguard national security and fulfill our responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, we have announced this special defense budget. We believe that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. While we aspire to peace, we cannot harbor illusions about it. Peace must be secured through strength. This is why we are increasing our defense budget and strengthening our national defense capabilities, while also cutting back our economic dependence on China. This includes improving our economic resilience. In 2010, 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment went to China; last year, that figure had dropped to around 7 percent. We are also working side-by-side with other democracies to reinforce deterrence. Robust preparations are the best way to avoid war and achieve peace. Q: Let me ask you this: President Xi has said that his goal for China’s military is to be capable of taking Taiwan by force by 2027. You said that Beijing is accelerating these preparations for an attempted invasion. So what do you think China’s timeline is now? President Lai: We must ensure the best possible preparations for the worst-case scenarios. Whatever timeline the PLA may have, Taiwan’s fundamental principle is that we must be ready first – this is our basic principle. I also want to use this opportunity to reiterate to the international community that Taiwan will do everything necessary to protect itself and to safeguard regional peace and stability. We are grateful to the international community, including the G7, the president of the United States, Japan’s political leaders, and many others for their interest in cross-strait peace and emphasizing that stability in the Taiwan Strait is essential to global security and prosperity. Their shared position greatly contributes to stability in Taiwan and peace in the region. We hope Taiwan can continue working with the international community to uphold the rules-based international order. Q: Well, let me ask you about that because, Mr. President, last week you said the relationship between Taiwan and the US is rock-solid. How confident are you that the United States, and in particular President Trump, would come to the aid of Taiwan if China were to invade? President Lai: Although Taiwan and the United States do not have official diplomatic relations, Taiwan is deeply grateful to the US Congress for passing the Taiwan Relations Act and to President Ronald Reagan for the Six Assurances. For decades, successive US administrations and both parties in Congress have strongly supported Taiwan based on this foundation. Our relationship truly is rock-solid. Since President Trump took office, cooperation with Taiwan has not only continued but even expanded. We look forward to working with the United States through tariff negotiations – not only to help address their trade deficit, but also to deepen bilateral economic relations and strengthen our friendship. Q: We’ve all been watching what’s been happening play out in Ukraine between Ukraine and Russia. And there have been questions inside Ukraine about the support that the United States has provided or not in terms of how this ultimately gets settled. How do you view what’s happening in Ukraine right now and the role that the US is playing there? President Lai: Taiwan stands with the people of Ukraine. We hope this irrational and illegitimate war will be over as soon as possible so that the Ukrainian people will no longer have to suffer. However, in ending this war, we also hope that Ukraine’s national dignity and the well-being of its people will be respected, and future conflict will be prevented. Q: You talked about trade earlier. When you talk about the relationship between the US and Taiwan, one of the reasons that Taiwan is so valuable, such a strategic asset – and President Trump talks about it this way about Taiwan – is because of semiconductors. And one of the things that he says is that he hopes that the US is going to be manufacturing 40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors in the next couple of years with your help. Does that make Taiwan more valuable ultimately to the US or do you worry at all that it makes it less valuable to the US? President Lai: Taiwan’s semiconductor industry plays a crucial role, especially as we enter the future AI era. But I want to emphasize, with humility, that Taiwan’s semiconductor sector is a global asset. The industry functions as an ecosystem: the US excels in R&D, design, and has the world’s largest market; Japan provides materials and equipment; the Netherlands makes advanced lithography systems; Taiwan specializes in logic chip manufacturing; and Korea leads in flash memory chips. In other words, semiconductors are a global ecosystem – it requires worldwide cooperation to be effective. This is why our government supports TSMC and other Taiwanese semiconductor firms as they invest in the US, Japan, Europe, or wherever they believe is needed. This contributes to global progress and prosperity. As a result, we remain supportive as President Trump seeks investments from Taiwanese semiconductor companies and suppliers in the US. We hope Taiwan can support the reindustrialization of the US. President Trump wants the US to become the world center for AI, and we are willing to assist in this. As I said earlier, we hope Taiwan-US tariff negotiations will not only help reduce the US trade deficit, but also deepen bilateral economic cooperation, further integrate Taiwan’s industries with the American economic structure, and strengthen the Taiwan-US relationship. This will contribute to global prosperity and development. Q: Do you think that President Trump’s timeline, this idea that 40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors could be manufactured in the United States in the next two or three years, is realistic? President Lai: We understand President Trump’s sense of urgency; he wants the United States to maintain an edge in global competition. Whether this target of 40 to 50 percent can be achieved within this timeframe depends not only on Taiwan’s support but also on the US government’s ability to facilitate land acquisition, water and electricity supply, workforce and talent development, and investment incentives. If the US government manages to do this well and effectively, then this goal becomes much more achievable. Q: There’s a big debate in the United States right now about whether companies like Nvidia should be allowed to sell their most advanced chips to China. And there has not been a real answer yet here in the US. I’m curious what you think about that. Do you think that the most advanced chips should be allowed to be exported to China? President Lai: As Taiwan’s president, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on US domestic policy. But I can share an experience: Around the year 2000, Taiwan faced a similar debate about whether our advanced chip manufacturing capabilities should move to mainland China. There was an extensive and thorough discussion across society and among different political parties. The consensus was that it would be unwise and should not happen. Looking back, that decision was correct. Had Taiwan allowed its most advanced manufacturing to relocate to China, Taiwan would not be what it is today. Q: Final question for you. Your economy is red hot right now, in large part because of the AI boom. It’s a two-part question. I wonder whether you’re worried about an AI boom being an AI bubble. And I’m also curious how you think about the Chinese economy today and how that relates to how President Xi even views Taiwan, and when and if it would consider either invading or, through using the gray zone, trying to effectively cut off or control Taiwan. President Lai: There are many different views in the tech and economic communities. Some say AI could become a bubble; others say it may not. As a political leader, I believe the AI era will bring greater convenience to people’s lives, stimulate economic development, and contribute to global prosperity. That is why we must take steps to prevent AI from becoming a bubble. In other words, leaders around the world – especially those from countries with AI-related industries – should work together and take necessary measures to ensure AI develops sustainably and has a soft landing, so that it can drive long-term global growth. China’s economy is indeed struggling. Taiwan’s growth rate this year is projected to reach 7.37 percent, while international financial institutions estimate China’s growth to be only a little above 4 percent. We sincerely hope that as China faces economic pressures, President Xi Jinping will focus not on territorial expansion but on improving the well-being of the Chinese people. Taiwan is willing to help and to cooperate in addressing these economic challenges.
中文