President Tsai attends dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles-News releases-News & activities｜Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

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2018-08-13

中文

President Tsai attends dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles

President Tsai Ing-wen attended a banquet for expatriates in Los Angeles on the evening of August 12 local time (morning of August 13, Taipei time). She explained the government's commitment and achievements in strengthening Taiwan over the past few years by enhancing democracy, achieving justice and fairness, and creating an innovative economy. The president emphasized that every Taiwanese-American should be part of our efforts to strengthen Taiwan, and expressed hope that everyone will unite and give their all, because that's the only way Taiwan can forge its own path.

A transcript of the president's English remarks follows:

It's great to be here knowing that we have finally found a ballroom like this capable of holding so many of our friends from across Los Angeles. In fact, I think this is one of the largest banquets we have held in the United States, and I'm very pleased it could be right here in Los Angeles.

Before I begin, I want to recognize some of our special friends here with us tonight.

First is someone who needs no introduction. He's so popular in his constituency and the Taiwanese-American community that we have long considered him to be half Taiwanese. Of course, the fact that he loves to eat xiaolongbao (steamed pork dumplings) makes this even more convincing. I'm talking about Chairman Ed Royce (Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs).

As I was saying to him a bit earlier, I had the opportunity to meet his wife Marie in Taipei in June. And you cannot find a couple that is more supportive of the Taiwan-US relationship and all the values we cherish. Thank you!

I also want to acknowledge Congressman Brad Sherman, who has always so warmly welcomed me to Los Angeles. I'm happy he still came, even though we are outside the 30th district (Congressman Sherman's district) this time. But Brad has long been more than a friend. If you take a look at his record, you will see the tremendous things he has done for Taiwan and our bilateral relationship. So, thank you, Brad.

Also with us tonight is [Congresswoman] Judy Chu, sitting next to me, a longtime member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus. I had the pleasure of meeting her when I was running for the presidency in 2015 and again as president in 2016. I know she is a fixture in the Taiwanese-American community. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge her at this time here in Los Angeles. Thank you, Judy.

I also want to acknowledge all the dignitaries who are with us tonight. Of course, we also have a special guest. I don't really know whether you are a guest or not. You are always one of us. It's Chairman James Moriarty [Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)]. We're sorry he had to come all the way from Hawaii to Los Angeles this time to join us. But you can tell by his remarks the enthusiasm he feels for Taiwan. Under his leadership at AIT, our bilateral relationship has grown tremendously and we're happy he's here today with us.

Since my last visit to Los Angeles, a lot has happened in our relationship with the US. We have seen the approval of the first major arms sale by the Trump administration. Important legislation, including the Taiwan Travel Act, has passed thanks to our friends in Congress. And in June, we witnessed the opening of the new AIT compound in Taipei, a concrete symbol of the US commitment to Taiwan.

On trade, we have engaged in more substantive cooperation in areas from the New Southbound Policy to the digital economy. And in promoting people-to-people ties, we welcomed the expansion of the Global Entry program to include Taiwan earlier this year, which will make it easier for many Taiwanese to come visit the US.

These developments show that despite the unprecedented challenges we face from across the Strait to our freedom, democracy, and way of life, our relationship with the United States has never been stronger. This gives us confidence in our values and beliefs. And they show that in a community of like-minded nations, the people of Taiwan do not stand alone.

After all, the depth of our friendship with the US has always been reflected by the power of our values and resolve of our convictions. The freedom of speech, assembly, and the ability to select new governments through the ballot box, rather than force, is what brings our countries together, and what sets us apart from others.

I want to thank all of our friends from Congress, the Executive Branch, and AIT, as well as the Taiwanese-American community as a whole, for your continued support of Taiwan. Thank you. And I will now continue my remarks in Mandarin, and also in Taiwanese.

Following are translations of the portions of President Tsai's speech delivered in Mandarin and Taiwanese:

President Tsai mentioned that earlier, she received some sad news about a fire that broke out that morning at the Taipei Hospital under the Ministry of Health and Welfare in New Taipei City. Although there was an emergency evacuation, she said, some patients unfortunately died in the blaze, which is quite regrettable. The president expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased, and said she hopes the injured will recover soon. She said that although she was in transit, she heard the news very quickly, and already instructed the responding agencies to extinguish the fire and rescue the victims as quickly as possible.

The president stated that this marked her second visit to Los Angeles since she became president. The reception was just as warm and cheerful as the gathering two years ago, she said, but in a bigger venue with more people. She heard that many Taiwanese expatriates drove for many hours just for this event to cheer us on, and support the reforms the government has implemented over the past two years. The president then said the delegation could really feel the expats' approval and affection, for which she thanked them.

President Tsai then recalled her visit to Los Angeles in 2015 when she was running for office. She thanked everyone for their support, from the presidential campaign through winning the election, and including the government's current reform efforts. We remain committed to reforms, she said, but also acknowledged there were many challenges over the past two years. Throughout that process, she was grateful that so many people were rooting for the government.

The president then mentioned several previous banquets with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles. When she attended the banquet in 2015, she said, she promised that if she became president, she would work for a stronger, more prominent Taiwan. In 2016, when she was in Los Angeles again soon after her inauguration, she told everyone that while reforms wouldn't happen overnight, she would lead Taiwan steadily forward, step by step. Now she was back in Los Angeles, and wanted to tell everyone about her administration's achievements over the past two years. "We're working really hard to fulfill our commitments," she said.

First, she said, in terms of enhancing democracy, Taiwan's democracy has continued to make progress over the past few years. After the Democratic Progressive Party won a majority in the Legislative Yuan in 2016, we initiated reforms to make the legislature more transparent. One of our most significant achievements was setting up a live-broadcast channel so that the public, including Taiwanese abroad, can watch Legislative Yuan proceedings in real time.

Last year, the president mentioned, the government amended the Referendum Act, removing past restrictions and returning the right to hold referendums to the people of Taiwan. We also established the Transitional Justice Commission earlier this year. Like South Africa, Germany, South Korea, and many other democratic nations, Taiwan is pursuing transitional justice, she said.

President Tsai said that we also recently saw the formal opening of Taiwan's National Human Rights Museum. The museum sites, where political prisoners were sentenced and imprisoned during the authoritarian era, have now become venues for human rights education. The president especially encouraged second- and third-generation Taiwanese-Americans in the audience to visit the museum. On their next trip to Taiwan, by walking through the two parks that are part of the museum, one on Green Island and one in Jingmei in New Taipei City, the president said they will gain an even deeper appreciation of Taiwan's democratic development.

President Tsai continued by saying that to strengthen Taiwan, the second task is achieving a more just and fair society. Three years ago, she had stressed to the Los Angeles expatriates that when the current administration took office, it would implement a fairer taxation system. So the government introduced reforms that reduce the tax burden on low and medium-income groups and wage earners.

The president said she told the public that she wanted to make it possible for young people to buy a house and live in urban areas, so her administration has been actively building social housing. Currently, she said, 22,000 units have been built or are under construction, and by 2020, the number of social housing units completed or under construction will reach 47,000.

Three years ago, President Tsai stated, she also pledged to establish a universal, affordable long-term care system, and our Long-term Care 2.0 Plan has been launched. Taiwan's grassroots communities are gradually setting up long-term healthcare systems, so the government will care for more and more people with diminished mental and physical abilities. The president believes that if we continue to promote the long-term care system alongside the National Health Insurance program, that system will make Taiwanese feel secure and proud.

President Tsai emphasized that enhancing democracy, creating a more just and fair society, developing a caring society, and setting up a comprehensive care system will help Taiwanese feel that their country is fair and supportive. At the same time, she said, the economy is an important focus of our reforms.

The president pointed out that over the past two years, we have expanded links with the ASEAN, South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand through our New Southbound Policy. Taiwan's exchanges with New Southbound countries in tourism, trade, industrial cooperation, and education are also progressing. Instead of being overly dependent on a single market, we are diversifying our international engagement.

President Tsai specially mentioned that flight routes between Taiwan and the US West Coast have also become more important over the past few years. Because innovative West Coast firms like Microsoft, Cisco, Google, and Amazon, have all set up or expanded their R&D centers in Taiwan, specializing in forward-looking fields like AI, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing.

Many Taiwanese-Americans have played a pivotal role behind the scenes in these investments, the president said. And our Asia Silicon Valley initiative has set up offices in Taoyuan in northern Taiwan and Silicon Valley in California, linking Taiwanese and global innovation communities, also with help from Taiwanese-Americans.

President Tsai then said that not long before she arrived in Los Angeles, Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) had just visited Silicon Valley. She also acknowledged that Taiwanese-Americans play an influential role in innovative industrial cooperation between the two sides of the Pacific. So the expertise and experience of the attendees, she said, as well as their connections, are just what Taiwan needs right now. She then invited everyone to lend a hand, and look for opportunities for Taiwan.

The president referred to the energy transformation in Taiwan, another inspiring example. Our efforts to develop offshore wind power have attracted large-scale investment by enterprises from Denmark, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. High-quality capital investments from the United States and other countries are improving Taiwan's job market, and giving our young people more and better job opportunities. More importantly, high-quality capital investments are speeding up economic restructuring and transformation through innovation.

New investments in fields like AI and green energy, the president said, show that our efforts have yielded preliminary results from promoting the "5+2 industrial innovation program," improving infrastructure, deregulation, and recruiting and retaining talent. After seven consecutive years, Taiwan's investment rate is no longer declining, while private investment will exceed NT$3 trillion for the first time.

President Tsai emphasized that new investment, new industries, and new job opportunities are appearing. Taiwan's industrial sector is reversing the trend toward hollowing out, while our economy is overcoming stagnation and sluggishness. So she expressed hope that everyone can work together to expand our innovation-based economy, a key to strengthening Taiwan's overall economy.

President Tsai then reminded all the attendees that Taiwan has never backed down from a challenge. Despite opposition of all kinds, we are moving forward with needed reforms. In the midst of geopolitical struggles, we are a stabilizing force in regional politics, holding fast to our free and democratic way of life, she said.

Over the past few years, the president stated, everyone has seen that US-Taiwan relations are getting better. But progress in Taiwan-US relations depends on the efforts of many Taiwanese-Americans. While our countrymen are abroad, their hearts are still with Taiwan, and they want to do things for Taiwan.

Whether in business or diplomacy, President Tsai emphasized, Taiwanese-Americans are never just spectators or cheerleaders, and there are many things they can do for their homeland. Taiwan's survival and development depend on the influence and support of Taiwanese-Americans. All of our compatriots on hand can play a role in strengthening Taiwan

President Tsai then said she was grateful to have a chance to share a meal with everyone. She thanked the attendees, and asked that they continue to provide support and encouragement. Reforms take time, she said, but if Taiwanese unite, there is nothing we can't do. So let's all roll up our sleeves, she said, and work together. Because that's the only way to change Taiwan for the better, and forge our own path into the future.

In closing, President Tsai thanked everyone for such a warm welcome, and also thanked the US government, the government of the State of California, the Los Angeles city government, and Americans everywhere for their help during the transit stop.

Also attending the expatriate banquet were AIT Chairman James Moriarty; United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce; Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Judy Chu; Secretary-General to the President Chen Chu; National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維); Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮); Minister Wu Hsin-hsing (吳新興) of the Overseas Community Affairs Council; ROC Representative to the United States Stanley Kao (高碩泰); Legislator Hsiao Bi-Khim (蕭美琴), Lee Chun-Yi (李俊俋), Chen Yi-Chieh (陳怡潔), Tsai Shih-Ying (蔡適應), Chou Chun-Mi (周春米), and Lai Jui-Lung (賴瑞隆); Chairperson Alan Thian (田詒鴻) of the Taiwan Center of Greater Los Angeles; and President Peter Luong (梁永泰) of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles.

President Tsai delivers remarks at a dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles.

Secretary-General to the President Chen Chu delivers remarks at a dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles.

US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce attends a dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles.

President Tsai attends a dinner banquet with Taiwanese expatriates in Los Angeles.

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We hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation and removing tax barriers to bilateral investment and trade, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. One essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. So we are grateful for the joint leaders’ statement issued by [US] President [Donald] Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, in which they expressed their solid support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As we face growing authoritarianism, Taiwan will continue to uphold our values of freedom and democracy and will be a responsible actor in regional and global security. Currently, Taiwan’s defense budget stands at about 2.5 percent of GDP. Going forward, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. 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Her leading a delegation to Taiwan once again demonstrates Arizona’s continued friendship and the importance Arizona attaches to Taiwan. For this, I express my sincerest gratitude, and I welcome you again. In recent years, ties between Taiwan and Arizona have continued to expand and progress. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s investment in Arizona is the largest greenfield investment in US history. This month, TSMC announced that it would increase its investment in the US by US$100 billion. It plans to build more semiconductor fabrication and research and development facilities in greater Phoenix, transforming the area into a US semiconductor hub. Due to our close industrial engagement, we now have more than 30,000 Taiwanese living in Arizona. I would like to thank Governor Hobbs for taking care of Taiwanese businesses and people. I believe that through our joint efforts, Arizona will become a shining example for Taiwan-US high-tech collaboration and the creation of non-red supply chains. Taiwan and Arizona also enjoy close economic and trade relations. Taiwan is Arizona’s eighth largest export market and fifth largest source of imports. Last December, the first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade officially came into effect. I believe this will help further deepen our trade and economic ties. At present, the next goal for Taiwan and the US is the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. I hope that we can work together to achieve this goal as soon as possible. This would provide greater incentives for Taiwanese businesses to invest in the US, facilitate the establishment of more comprehensive local industry clusters, and generate more job opportunities, representing a win-win outcome. With Governor Hobbs’s support, we look forward to continuing to advance Taiwan-US relations and promoting further cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Arizona across all domains. I understand that during this visit, you have visited many important companies and exchanged opinions with government agencies on how to strengthen bilateral relations. These efforts all go toward building an even more solid foundation for future Taiwan-US cooperation. Once again, I thank you all for supporting Taiwan and welcome you to visit us often in the future. Governor Hobbs then delivered remarks, stating that under President Lai’s leadership, Taiwan continues to thrive as a global hub for technology, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. She said that she is proud to be back in Taiwan alongside her secretary of commerce, Sandra Watson, as part of a diplomatic and economic delegation from Arizona. Since arriving, she said, they’ve hit the ground running, meeting with key partners, businesses, and leaders, noting that the takeaway from their meetings has been incredibly positive, and that they underscore the strong and enduring partnership between Arizona and Taiwan. Adding that our partnership that is built on shared values, mutual cultural appreciation, and commitment to innovation and economic growth, Governor Hobbs indicated that Arizona and Taiwan’s partnership extends back decades, as Taiwanese fighter pilots have been training at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix since 1996. She said that we have built a strong base of collaboration across many areas, including technology, workforce, and cultural exchange, and that Arizona is even slated to get its own Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), which she expressed she is very thrilled about. Governor Hobbs went on to say that Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan is anchored by its ongoing partnership with TSMC and many Taiwan-based companies in semiconductor and other industries, and that TSMC’s US$165 billion investment in Arizona will help power development of the world’s most advanced technology, such as AI, and promises to cement an unbreakable bond between our two economies. She stated that as governor, she can say with confidence that her administration is fully committed to strengthening this relationship in every way possible, because when Arizona and Taiwan succeed, we all succeed. Lastly, Governor Hobbs once again expressed gratitude to President Lai and the people of Taiwan for their warm hospitality. She then invited President Lai to Arizona to continue their productive conversations and further strengthen ties between our people and our economies, adding that she knows there is no limit to what we can achieve together, and that she is looking forward to what is to come. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

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2025-03-18

President Lai meets 2025 Yushan Forum participants

On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with participants in the 2025 Yushan Forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests for gathering here in Taiwan and discussing ways to enhance regional cooperation, demonstrating that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. The president reiterated that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. He stated that Taiwan will continue to work with international partners to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, the president emphasized, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to begin by thanking Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark and chairman of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, for inviting then-President Tsai Ing-wen to address the Copenhagen Democracy Summit via video over five consecutive years since 2020, and for inviting myself to give remarks via video last year. Those opportunities allowed Taiwan to share with the world our motivation for, and our work toward, safeguarding freedom and democracy. I would also like to thank Mr. Janez Janša, former prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, who has visited Taiwan many times already, for actively elevating the cordial ties between Taiwan and Slovenia during his term as prime minister, helping expand friendship for Taiwan throughout Europe. Today’s guests have traveled a long way to show their strong backing for Taiwan. For this, I express my deepest gratitude. Yesterday was my first time attending the Yushan Forum as president. I saw political leaders and representatives gather here in Taiwan and discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation. The event demonstrated that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. It was truly moving. As I stated at the opening ceremony, Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. Our government will help guide Taiwanese small- and medium-sized enterprises as they expand into the international market and extend Taiwan’s economic power. I hope that during this visit, our guests will be able to explore more opportunities for cooperation in such fields as AI, smart healthcare, and advanced technologies, and join hands in contributing to the prosperity and development of our democratic allies and friends. Taiwan will continue to work with international partners, building upon the shared values of freedom and democracy, to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. And I hope, with the assistance of our guests here today, that we can further strengthen the ties between Taiwan and Europe so that we can all take up the work of maintaining global peace and stability. Once again, I welcome our guests to Taiwan. I look forward to hearing your thoughts in a few moments. I also hope you will visit Taiwan often in the future and continue to experience our vibrant democratic society and culture. Chairman Rasmussen then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great pleasure to be back here in Taipei after meeting with President Lai in 2023. He then thanked President Lai for the Taiwanese hospitality on behalf of the Yushan Forum international visitors and participants, who represent four continents and very different political parties but who are united by one thing – the commitment to democracy. Chairman Rasmussen mentioned that over the past few days, they have met with members of the government, legislature, and civil society in Taiwan. He said that he is more convinced than ever that in a very uncertain world, Taiwan continues to stand as a beacon of democracy, from which people in Europe and in the rest of the world have a lot to learn. Over the past eight years, he has been proud to step up his engagement with Taiwan, he said, as he has always subscribed to the view that freedom must advance everywhere, or else it is in decline everywhere. Chairman Rasmussen noted that they have many interests in making sure Taiwan remains free and that we must always stand up for freedom when it is under assault by a dictator. This is why Ukraine’s fight is also everyone’s fight, he explained. He then praised Taiwan for all of the support it has given to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and honored the two Taiwanese volunteer soldiers who gave their lives for freedom in Ukraine. Chairman Rasmussen remarked that Taiwan is a strong feature of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit that he convenes each year. His foundation, the Alliance of Democracies, has even been sanctioned by the Chinese government due to its support of Taiwan, he said, which is something he takes as a badge of honor. He added that this year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit in May will be no different, as they plan to focus on the new world order, urgent measures to strengthen Europe’s military, and the situation in Ukraine. But as the United States pulls back from the transatlantic alliance and Europe focuses more on its own defense, he said, Europe should not retreat from the world. He added that to ensure European security, we need more Europe in the Indo-Pacific, and that is why he has been making the argument for more political and economic cooperation with Taiwan. Chairman Rasmussen praised President Lai’s recent decision to increase Taiwan’s national defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP, adding that it is important that each nation does what it can for its own defense. The chairman once again thanked President Lai for meeting with them today and for the opportunity to visit Taiwan, a beacon of democracy and liberty in Asia. Also in attendance at the meeting were Chairman of the Czech Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Pavel Fischer; Member of the National Security Advisory Board to India’s National Security Council Anshuman Tripathi; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Anna Fotyga; former Minister of Health of Canada Tony Clement; and former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and current Secretary General of the Polish-based Community of Democracies Mantas Adomėnas.

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2025-03-13

President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting

On the afternoon of March 13, President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security meeting, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai introduced 17 major strategies to respond to five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces: China’s threat to national sovereignty, its threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting Taiwan’s military, its threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan, its threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges, and its threats from using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth. President Lai emphasized that in the face of increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and expressed hope that all citizens unite in solidarity to resist being divided. The president also expressed hope that citizens work together to increase media literacy, organize and participate in civic education activities, promptly expose concerted united front efforts, and refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, he said, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: At many venues recently, a number of citizens have expressed similar concerns to me. They have noticed cases in which members of the military, both active-duty and retired, have been bought out by China, sold intelligence, or even organized armed forces with plans to harm their own nation and its citizens. They have noticed cases in which entertainers willingly followed instructions from Beijing to claim that their country is not a country, all for the sake of personal career interests. They have noticed how messaging used by Chinese state media to stir up internal opposition in Taiwan is always quickly spread by specific channels. There have even been individuals making careers out of helping Chinese state media record united front content, spreading a message that democracy is useless and promoting skepticism toward the United States and the military to sow division and opposition. Many people worry that our country, as well as our hard-won freedom and democracy and the prosperity and progress we achieved together, are being washed away bit by bit due to these united front tactics. In an analysis of China’s united front, renowned strategic scholar Kerry K. Gershaneck expressed that China plans to divide and conquer us through subversion, infiltration, and acquisition of media, and by launching media warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare. What they are trying to do is to sow seeds of discord in our society, keep us occupied with internal conflicts, and cause us to ignore the real threat from outside. China’s ambition over the past several decades to annex Taiwan and stamp out the Republic of China has not changed for even a day. It continues to pursue political and military intimidation, and its united front infiltration of Taiwan’s society grows ever more serious. In 2005, China promulgated its so-called “Anti-Secession Law,” which makes using military force to annex Taiwan a national undertaking. Last June, China issued a 22-point set of “guidelines for punishing Taiwan independence separatists,” which regards all those who do not accept that “Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China” as targets for punishment, creating excuses to harm the people of Taiwan. China has also recently been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, showing in all aspects China’s increasingly urgent threat against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lately, China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan’s freedom, diversity, and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties, and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy, and subvert us from within. A report from the National Security Bureau indicates that 64 persons were charged last year with suspicion of spying for China, which was three times the number of persons charged for the same offense in 2021. Among them, the Unionist Party, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government formed treasonous organizations to deploy armed forces for China. In a democratic and free society, such cases are appalling. But this is something that actually exists within Taiwan’s society today. China also actively plots ways to infiltrate and spy on our military. Last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired members of the armed forces were charged with suspicion of involvement in spying for China, respectively comprising 43 percent and 23 percent of all of such cases – 66 percent in total. We are also alert to the fact that China has recently used widespread issuance of Chinese passports to entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity. China also views cross-strait exchanges as a channel for its united front against Taiwan, marking enemies in Taiwan internally, creating internal divisions, and weakening our sense of who the enemy really is. It intends to weaken public authority and create the illusion that China is “governing” Taiwan, thereby expanding its influence within Taiwan. We are also aware that China has continued to expand its strategy of integrated development with Taiwan. It employs various methods to demand and coerce Taiwanese businesses to increase their investments in China, entice Taiwanese youth to develop their careers in China, and unscrupulously seeks to poach Taiwan’s talent and steal key technologies. Such methods impact our economic security and greatly increase the risk of our young people heading to China. By its actions, China already satisfies the definition of a “foreign hostile force” as provided in the Anti-Infiltration Act. We have no choice but to take even more proactive measures, which is my purpose in convening this high-level national security meeting today. It is time we adopt proper preventive measures, enhance our democratic resilience and national security, and protect our cherished free and democratic way of life. Next, I will be giving a detailed account of the five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces and the 17 major strategies we have prepared in response. I. Responding to China’s threats to our national sovereignty We have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty, and we have the Republic of China insofar as we have Taiwan. Just as I said during my inaugural address last May, and in my National Day address last October: The moment when Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office in 1996 sent a message to the international community, that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation. 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. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan resists any annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. The future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by its 23 million people. This is the status quo that we must maintain. The broadest consensus in Taiwanese society is that we must defend our sovereignty, uphold our free and democratic way of life, and resolutely oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (1) I request that the National Security Council (NSC), the Ministry of National Defense (MND), and the administrative team do their utmost to promote the Four Pillars of Peace action plan to demonstrate the people’s broad consensus and firm resolve, consistent across the entirety of our nation, to oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (2) I request that the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft an action plan that will, through collaboration with our friends and allies, convey to the world our national will and broad social consensus in opposing annexation of Taiwan by China and in countering China’s efforts to erase Taiwan from the international community and downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty. II. Responding to China’s threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting our military (1) Comprehensively review and amend our Law of Military Trial to restore the military trial system, allowing military judges to return to the frontline and collaborate with prosecutorial, investigative, and judicial authorities in the handling of criminal cases in which active-duty military personnel are suspected of involvement in such military crimes as sedition, aiding the enemy, leaking confidential information, dereliction of duty, or disobedience. In the future, criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel who are suspected of violating the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces will be tried by a military court. (2) Implement supporting reforms, including the establishment of a personnel management act for military judges and separate organization acts for military courts and military prosecutors’ offices. Once planning and discussion are completed, the MND will fully explain to and communicate with the public to ensure that the restoration of the military trial system gains the trust and full support of society. (3) To deter the various types of controversial rhetoric and behavior exhibited by active-duty as well as retired military personnel that severely damage the morale of our national military, the MND must discuss and propose an addition to the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces on penalties for expressions of loyalty to the enemy as well as revise the regulations for military personnel and their families receiving retirement benefits, so as to uphold military discipline. III. Responding to China’s threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan (1) I request that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), and other relevant agencies, wherever necessary, carry out inspections and management of the documents involving identification that Taiwanese citizens apply for in China, including: passports, ID cards, permanent residence certificates, and residence certificates, especially when the applicants are military personnel, civil servants, or public school educators, who have an obligation of loyalty to Taiwan. This will be done to strictly prevent and deter united front operations, which are performed by China under the guise of “integrated development,” that attempt to distort our people’s national identity. (2) With respect to naturalization and integration of individuals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau into Taiwanese society, more national security considerations must be taken into account while also attending to Taiwan’s social development and individual rights: Chinese nationals applying for permanent residency in Taiwan must, in accordance with the law of Taiwan, relinquish their existing household registration and passport and may not hold dual identity status. As for the systems in place to process individuals from Hong Kong or Macau applying for residency or permanent residency in Taiwan, there will be additional provisions for long-term residency to meet practical needs. IV. Responding to China’s threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges (1) There are increasing risks involved with travel to China. (From January 1, 2024 to today, the MAC has received reports of 71 Taiwanese nationals who went missing, were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the number of unreported people who have been subjected to such treatment may be several times that. Of those, three elderly I-Kuan Tao members were detained in China in December of last year and have not yet been released.) In light of this, relevant agencies must raise public awareness of those risks, continue enhancing public communication, and implement various registration systems to reduce the potential for accidents and the risks associated with traveling to China. (2) Implement a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public officials at all levels of the central and local government. This includes everyone from administrative officials to elected representatives, from legislators to village and neighborhood chiefs, all of whom should make the information related to such exchanges both public and transparent so that they can be accountable to the people. The MOI should also establish a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public welfare organizations, such as religious groups, in order to prevent China’s interference and united front activities at their outset. (3) Manage the risks associated with individuals from China engaging in exchanges with Taiwan: Review and approval of Chinese individuals coming to Taiwan should be limited to normal cross-strait exchanges and official interactions under the principles of parity and dignity, and relevant factors such as changes in the cross-strait situation should be taken into consideration. Strict restrictions should be placed on Chinese individuals who have histories with the united front coming to Taiwan, and Chinese individuals should be prohibited from coming to Taiwan to conduct activities related in any way to the united front. (4) Political interference from China and the resulting risks to national security should be avoided in cross-strait exchanges. This includes the review and management of religious, cultural, academic, and education exchanges, which should in principle be depoliticized and de-risked so as to simplify people-to-people exchanges and promote healthy and orderly exchanges. (5) To deter the united front tactics of a cultural nature employed by Chinese nationals to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Executive Yuan must formulate a solution to make our local cultural industries more competitive, including enhanced support and incentives for our film, television, and cultural and creative industries to boost their strengths in democratic cultural creation, raise international competitiveness, and encourage research in Taiwan’s own history and culture. (6) Strengthen guidance and management for entertainers developing their careers in China. The competent authorities should provide entertainers with guidelines on conduct while working in China, and make clear the scope of investigation and response to conduct that endangers national dignity. This will help prevent China from pressuring Taiwanese entertainers to make statements or act in ways that endanger national dignity. (7) The relevant authorities must adopt proactive, effective measures to prevent China from engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan or endangering cybersecurity through the internet, applications, AI, and other such tools. (8) To implement these measures, each competent authority must run a comprehensive review of the relevant administrative ordinances, measures, and interpretations, and complete the relevant regulations for legal enforcement. Should there be any shortcomings, the legal framework for national security should be strengthened and amendments to the National Security Act, Anti-Infiltration Act, Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, or Cyber Security Management Act should be proposed. Communication with the public should also be increased so that implementation can happen as soon as possible. V. Responding to threats from China using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth (1) I request that the NSC and administrative agencies work together to carry out strategic structural adjustments to the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and China based on the strategies of putting Taiwan first and expanding our global presence while staying rooted in Taiwan. In addition, they should carry out necessary, orderly adjustments to the flow of talent, goods, money, and skills involved in cross-strait economic and trade relations based on the principle of strengthening Taiwan’s foundations to better manage risk. This will help boost economic security and give us more power to respond to China’s economic and trade united front and economic coercion against Taiwan. (2) I request that the Ministry of Education, MAC, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other relevant agencies work together to comprehensively strengthen young students’ literacy education on China and deepen their understanding of cross-strait exchanges. I also request these agencies to widely publicize mechanisms for employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwan’s youth and provide ample information and assistance so that young students have more confidence in the nation’s future and more actively invest in building up and developing Taiwan. My fellow citizens, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. History tells us that any authoritarian act of aggression or annexation will ultimately end in failure. The only way we can safeguard freedom and prevail against authoritarian aggression is through solidarity. As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and to ensure that the freedom, democracy, and way of life of Taiwan’s 23 million people continues on as normal. But relying solely on the power of the government is not enough. What we need even more is for all citizens to stay vigilant and take action. Every citizen stands on the frontline of the defense of democracy and freedom. Here is what we can do together: First, we can increase our media literacy, and refrain from spreading and passing on united front messaging from the Chinese state. Second, we can organize and participate in civic education activities to increase our knowledge about united front operations and build up whole-of-society defense resilience. Third, we can promptly expose concerted united front efforts so that all malicious attempts are difficult to carry out. Fourth, we must refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. The vigilance and action of every citizen forms the strongest line of defense against united front infiltration. Only through solidarity can we resist being divided. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us.

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