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.

On the morning of September 19, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the International Forum on Police Cooperation—Combating Transnational Telecommunications Fraud. She expressed hope that the related government agencies will upgrade the overall anti-fraud network, strengthen international cooperation and exchanges, and fulfill our joint responsibility to defend global security. The president also looks forward to strengthening connections with other countries to forge a stronger international security network. In remarks, President Tsai stated that today was the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Police Cooperation. The ever-changing methods used to commit fraud, and the spread of crime rings to countries around the world, have made investigating these crimes and arresting the perpetrators far more difficult. The theme chosen for this forum, "Combating Transnational Telecommunications Fraud," speaks to Taiwan's active fight against fraud, and desire to strengthen global connections so that we can strengthen connections with other countries to forge a stronger international security network. The president pointed out that over 100 participants from almost 40 countries participated in the forum. On behalf of the government and the people of Taiwan, she extended a warm welcome to the guests, many of whom have travelled a long way to Taiwan. President Tsai also expressed her utmost respect to the contributions that the distinguished guests from industry, government, and academia have made to combating transnational fraud. She believes that over the next two days, their discussions and exchanges will generate effective response strategies, and create a platform for future cooperation and exchanges. President Tsai stated that the government colleagues from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Mainland Affairs Council were all on hand. That made the forum an integrated, cross-departmental effort, which shows that the Taiwan government takes combating transnational fraud seriously. The president set three goals for combating transnational fraud. The first goal is to upgrade the overall anti-fraud network. She noted that over the past two years, Taiwan has set up an Anti-Fraud Command Center, which is designed to promote cross-ministry, cross-agency, and cross-discipline cooperation to carry out all anti-fraud tasks.  To raise awareness, the government is running front-line and neighborhood education programs to help the public fight fraud. To stop fraud at its source, we have integrated resources from all sectors; blocked fraudulent telecommunications from overseas; set up early-warning and joint defense mechanisms; and made protecting personal data issues a high priority. At the same time, the government has amended the relevant laws to deter fraud, and severely punish the perpetrators. These initiatives have helped establish an anti-fraud network. So the president expressed hope that related government agencies will continue to strengthen and upgrade their efforts to intensify its effectiveness. President Tsai stated that the second goal, another major reason for the gathering, is to strengthen international cooperation and exchanges. In an age of globalization, crime crosses national borders, and this is a challenge that all countries must address together.  Since last year, many fraud operations have been discovered in third jurisdictions thanks to cooperation between law enforcement agencies in Taiwan and other countries. This year, for the first time, a telecommunications fraud operation involving over 100 people was also detected in Eastern Europe. The president then expressed hope that during the forum Taiwan can exchange success stories in fraud prevention and detection with other countries to refine our investigation methods. The third goal, President Tsai said, is to fulfill our joint responsibility to defend global security. She stated that Taiwan is a responsible member of the global community and will continue to sign agreements and MOUs with countries around the world covering mutual judicial assistance, the prevention and control of money laundering and human trafficking, and police cooperation. We will also strengthen our partnerships with law enforcement agencies in other countries. The participants at the forum are all Taiwan's cooperative partners, the president said, and she hopes that everyone will work together to protect the property and security of citizens in countries around the world. President Tsai emphasized that when addressing global crime, Taiwan is always a willing partner, ready to play an active role, and an essential link in the global security network. We have the will, and the ability, to contribute much more to the world. She thanked all the countries who have supported and assisted Taiwan's participation in international affairs, and hopes that the guests at the forum will all give Taiwan's participation in international police cooperation their full support.  In closing, President Tsai once again welcomed the guests attending the forum, and extended her best wishes for a successful event. The president and other distinguished guests then jointly initiated the opening ceremony. Also attending the event were Louis Dekmar, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; Meyer-Cabri, Vice-President of the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit; Minister of the Interior Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇); Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮); Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang (蔡清祥); Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Chen Ming-Tong (陳明通); Director-general of the National Police Agency Chen Ja-chin (陳家欽); members of the foreign diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan; and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Chien-sin (劉建忻).

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 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!

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