Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

While attending the 2019 International Forum on Police Cooperation: Combating Transnational Drug Crimes on the morning of September 4, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that in the future, we will continue to sign agreements on mutual judicial assistance, police cooperation, and joint crime-fighting with countries around the world. We will continue to deepen cooperative ties and work together to stop transnational drug crime, she said. A translation of the president's remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to welcome all of you to this year's International Forum on Police Cooperation: Combating Transnational Drug Crimes. As anti-drug, law enforcement personnel and experts, all of you are crucial to the prevention of drug crime in your countries. You have worked tirelessly for years to crack down on drug crime and keep people safe from harmful drugs. I want to offer my utmost respect for your efforts and contributions. We are grateful that this forum provides us with the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from your expertise and experience, devise strategies to respond to drug crime trends, and explore investigative tactics and international cooperative models. Drug-related issues are a collective challenge for the international community, and Taiwan is actively addressing them. Shortly after taking office, I announced that fighting drugs is the government's number one priority, and that I would not allow drugs to proliferate unchecked while in office. Over the past three years, we have integrated capabilities across the government to work together to fight drugs. The overall number of first-time drug offenders is gradually decreasing. We have also brought the number of deaths caused by newly emerging narcotics under control. We are also investing more manpower and resources into any area where we might fall short. This year, we established the Drug Prevention Fund, which works primarily with drug users to provide treatment for addiction and help them rejoin society, as well as working to eliminate youth drug use. We are also making it easier to devote private sector resources to anti-drug causes. Domestically, we have stepped up enforcement by going out into the community and establishing an anti-drug reporting system that encourages citizens to report drug crimes, so that we can crack down on crime together. Internationally, we have worked with countries such as Japan, Korea, and Indonesia to bust a number of major international drug trafficking operations. In the future, we will continue to sign agreements on mutual judicial assistance, police cooperation, and joint crime-fighting with countries around the world. We will also share our experiences in transnational drug crime investigation through police liaison officers stationed in these countries, so that we can make new law enforcement breakthroughs together. Colleagues from all related ministries are here today, and I want to emphasize that we must spare no effort in the fight against drugs, not only to strengthen our own social security network, but also to contribute actively to the international community, and help establish a strong international security net. I want to ask all of you to give your utmost to accomplish this mission. This forum also exemplifies the efforts Taiwan has put into strengthening international ties and contributing to the international community. I want to thank all of you for your support for Taiwan and the assistance you have given us. Together, let us continue to deepen our cooperative ties, and work together to stop transnational drug crime. Lastly, I want to wish you all a successful forum.  Among those attending the event were President Paul Cell of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Minister of the Interior Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇), Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang (蔡清祥), Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Chen Ming-Tong (陳明通), Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵), Deputy Minister of Finance Wu Tzu-Hsin (吳自心), Director-general of the National Police Agency Chen Ja-chin (陳家欽), Minister of the Coast Guard Administration Chen Guo-en (陳國恩), and members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan. After the event, President Tsai took questions from the media. In response to a question regarding Demosistō Secretary General Joshua Wong's call for Taiwan to amend and promulgate regulations regarding refugees, President Tsai stated that we staunchly support the Hong Kong people's pursuit of freedom and democracy. The concern of the Taiwanese people and the entire world for the situation in Hong Kong has been misconstrued as interference, but we have not interfered. Taiwan's current legislation already constitutes an adequate basis to provide assistance for Hong Kong people when necessary. In response to rumors regarding the severance of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands, President Tsai stated that our diplomatic offices are closely following the situation in the Solomon Islands, and current bilateral exchanges and interactions are all normal.

President Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement regarding the situation in Hong Kong on the afternoon of June 13 at the Presidential Office. She explained that the democratic protests in Hong Kong not only made Taiwanese cherish their existing democratic system and way of life even more, but also made it clear to them that the "one country, two systems" model is not viable. She emphasized that as long as Tsai Ing-wen is president, anyone who tries to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy, or use them as political bargaining chips, will fail.   In remarks, President Tsai said the current democratic protests in Hong Kong have attracted a lot of attention around the world. Seeing Hong Kong police using tear gas and rubber bullets against the public, she said, was especially shocking and intolerable. The people of Hong Kong have the right to pursue their own democracy and freedom. Even more, they have the right to choose their own lifestyle and political system. Taiwan is a bastion of democracy in Asia, and we will always support these universal values.  President Tsai also noted that several Hong Kong students currently in Taiwan came to the Presidential Office today to voice their concerns. Because she was on official business, President Tsai asked  Secretary-General to the President Chen Chu (陳菊) to receive them. We expressed our concern about the situation, and listened to their opinions. There are concerns that the amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance infringes on human rights, so we hope that the Hong Kong government will take the protest demands seriously, engage in dialogue and communicate with the public, and refrain from rashly forcing through the legislation in question.   President Tsai pointed out that the amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance also infringes on the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and we will not accept this. We reject their use of individual extradition as an excuse to make legal amendments. We cannot work together to crack down on crime using laws that infringe on human rights as a precondition. We will not be an accessory to the passage of this unconscionable law. For the people of Taiwan, the biggest takeaway from this incident is that "one country, two systems" is not viable, and is absolutely unacceptable for a democratized Taiwan. President Tsai further pointed out that the protests in Hong Kong have made Taiwanese people cherish our democratic systems and way of life even more. The president's paramount responsibility is to safeguard Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty, she said, so that all generations of Taiwanese people have the right to choose their own future. She emphasized that as long as Tsai Ing-wen is president, anyone who tries to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy, or use them as political bargaining chips, will fail. The president then took questions from the media. In response to a question regarding whether she was worried about the confrontation in Hong Kong escalating, President Tsai stated that the protests in Hong Kong have caused people around the world, particularly the Taiwanese people, to feel both unsettled and worried. Hong Kong is not far from Taiwan, and people in Taiwan are closely following further developments on this issue. She expressed hope that the people of Hong Kong would be able to feel strong support from the shared concern of Taiwan and the international community, and that they would know that they are not alone in their pursuit of further democracy and freedom. The president stated that the Hong Kong government must communicate with the people on this issue and set an example as a democracy, so that this issue can be resolved reasonably. We do not wish to see the Hong Kong government use force on its own people to suppress their freedom of speech, she said. Taiwan will do everything in its power to help the people of Hong Kong maintain their democracy and freedom of speech during these protests.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the 22nd Asia Pacific Chapter Retraining Conference of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates (FBINAA) on the morning of June 10. She stated that Taiwan is a reliable partner, and a force for good in the world. We are determined to do our part to combat international crime, she said, because Taiwan is an irreplaceable part of global law enforcement endeavors. A transcript of the president's remarks follows: It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the 22nd FBI National Academy Associates Asia Pacific Retraining Conference. We are hosting this event in Taiwan for the first time. So I want to thank our Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau for all their hard work in preparing and hosting this conference. I also want to honor our FBI National Academy graduates in the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and National Police Agency here today. You are a testament to Taiwan's importance in the international law enforcement community, and the pride of Taiwan.   Taiwan is the heart of the Indo-Pacific region, and we are a major travel and trade hub. Our unique location and strong law enforcement capabilities make us a key link in the prevention of transnational crime.  Taiwan is committed to achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are working with like-minded partners throughout the region to find ways to make our region a safer, more prosperous place. And your presence here in Taiwan is a testament to this effort. We are also expanding our law enforcement networks. We have signed MOUs and agreements with countries such as the United States, the Philippines, Nauru, and Palau. Our intelligence sharing networks stretch across East and Southeast Asia. And Taiwan has long worked with the United States to combat global terrorism. Respect for the rule of law is a universal value. And fighting transnational crime requires multinational cooperation. I want you all to know that Taiwan is a reliable partner, and a force for good in the world.  We are determined to do our part to combat international crime. Because Taiwan is an irreplaceable part of global law enforcement endeavors. I trust that your discussions over the coming days will inspire new ideas and new opportunities for cooperation. I'm sure there will also be much reminiscing about your days at the Academy. At the same time, I hope you will take the opportunity to explore Taiwan, and see what makes our country so unique. Take a hike in the mountains surrounding Taipei, and don't be afraid to try the local cuisine. Most importantly, I hope you bring what you see and learn here back to your own countries. Because each time we share knowledge and information, we help bring justice to more people who need it. I wish you all a successful conference, and a pleasant stay in Taiwan. Thank you. Attendees included Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang (蔡清祥); Director-General Leu Weng-Jong (呂文忠) of the Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice; Director-General Chen Ja-chin (陳家欽) of the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior; Director-General Chiu Feng-kuang (邱豐光) of the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior; US FBI Associate Deputy Director Paul Abbate; FBINAA President Kevin Wingerson; FBINAA Asia Pacific Chapter President Shaw-Nan (Steve) Chou (周紹南); and American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Deputy Director Raymond Greene.

President Tsai Ing-wen met on the morning of July 28 with Susan Coppedge, Ambassador-at-Large of the US State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. President Tsai welcomed Ambassador Coppedge to Taiwan to serve as a keynote speaker at the 2016 International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking, and praised her for the many years she has spent fighting against trafficking in persons. As a former Assistant United States Attorney, the ambassador has considerable experience prosecuting cases involving exploitation of labor, so those attending this year's International Workshop will undoubtedly be able to learn a lot from her, said the president. During her meeting with President Tsai, Ambassador Coppedge spoke very highly of Taiwan's efforts to combat human trafficking and safeguard human rights, and mentioned that the US State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report once again placed Taiwan in Tier 1, an exclusive list of the countries that fight human trafficking most effectively. This shows that the international community is very appreciative of Taiwan's successes in combating trafficking in persons. President Tsai also asked Ambassador Coppedge about the US experience in fighting against human trafficking, and expressed hope that Taiwan can do still more in this area. The president stated that protecting human rights is a very important task for Taiwan, and that some immigrant laborers in Taiwan still face big problems, such as excessive working hours or being forced to perform highly dangerous or unreasonably strenuous work. Hopefully, she said, the government can safeguard the rightful interests of immigrant laborers by paying close attention to their working conditions and bringing the power of the state to bear on existing problems. Doing so, remarked the president, would also show the international community that Taiwan is making a serious effort to protect human rights.

On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.

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.