Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

While meeting with a delegation from the US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the morning of January 14, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that through this election, the people of Taiwan have once again sent a clear message to the world that we are determined to safeguard our nation's sovereignty and democracy. In the future, she said, we will continue to actively cooperate with like-minded countries to defend the values of democracy and freedom and facilitate peaceful and stable development in the region.

A translation of the president's remarks follows:

Welcome to Taiwan. This is Ambassador Kurt Tong's first time leading a delegation to Taiwan since leaving government service. It is a great pleasure to meet with all of you. I also want to thank CSIS for organizing an international seminar in collaboration with organizations such as the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy just one day after our presidential election, thereby highlighting Taiwan's democratic achievements.

Through this election, the people of Taiwan have once again sent a clear message to the world that we are determined to safeguard our nation's sovereignty and democracy. In the face of constant suppression from China over the past three-plus years, Taiwan has refused to bow to pressure and refrained from provocation or rash behavior, devoting our efforts to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. In the future, we will continue to actively cooperate with like-minded countries to defend the values of democracy and freedom and facilitate peaceful and stable development in the region.

The United States is Taiwan's most important strategic partner. Over the past year, we have achieved several new milestones in our cooperative partnership. For example, we held the first Indo-Pacific Democratic Governance Consultations and Pacific Islands Dialogue. These joint endeavors have produced excellent results.

Furthermore, significant breakthroughs and progress have been made with regard to the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, in which Ambassador Tong has participated as well. Last year, Japan, Sweden, and Australia joined us for the first time in organizing workshops. I am sure that even more will take part in this important cooperation platform in the future.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank the United States for its longstanding support for Taiwan. As we further strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation with the United States, we look forward to continued assistance from the CSIS and all our American friends.

In closing, I would like to once again extend a very warm welcome to the delegation led by Ambassador Tong. I wish you a smooth and fruitful trip. Thank you!

The delegation also included Mr. Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies at the CSIS.