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2020-10-31
中文
President Tsai convenes high-level national security meeting

President Tsai Ing-wen convened a high-level national security meeting on the morning of October 31, and issued directives on five issues: China's military threat and regional security; continuing to deepen Taiwan-US relations; stabilizing cross-strait relations; the stability and security of domestic politics and economics; and future economic development.

President Tsai stated that to address the challenges of completely new circumstances and possibilities, and based on the principle of upholding and defending the values of democracy and freedom, the government will continue to deepen and consolidate Taiwan-US relations and staunchly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This administration has the confidence and capabilities to respond to all different situations, and the public can rest assured. 

President Tsai then issued the following directives:

I. China's military threat and regional security

The president stated that for some time, increasingly frequent Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) military activities in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and even the East China Sea have impacted regional security. As a member of the regional community, Taiwan will continue to faithfully fulfill our responsibilities. History has proven that showing weakness and making concessions has never brought peace, and only strong determination and solid defense capabilities can protect our homeland.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) and National Security Council (NSC) should properly monitor the recent PRC regional military activities and carefully assess all possible threats and risks, and must be fully prepared. Taiwan will continue to enhance the modernization of defensive combat capabilities, upgrade asymmetric combat capabilities, promote self-defense capabilities, and reform the military reserve mobilization system to respond to the expansion and provocations of military activities from across the Taiwan Strait.     

II. Continuing to deepen Taiwan-US relations

President Tsai stated that recent mainstream public opinion in the US favors Taiwan, with unanimous bipartisan support. The Congress has already passed numerous bills and resolutions including the Taiwan Travel Act, TAIPEI Act, and Taiwan Assurance Act. The executive branch has many high-level officials that have visited Taiwan, and has also passed several arms sale packages. Taiwan citizens can clearly see the progress in Taiwan-US relations.

Taiwan-US relations are the crux of our diplomatic efforts. Whatever the outcome of the US elections, continuing to deepen relations with both the Republican and Democratic parties and striving for continued unanimous cross-party support for democratic Taiwan are our primary goals to promote the development of Taiwan-US relations.

President Tsai instructed the NSC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States to continue to strengthen diplomatic efforts in the United States, including the effective monitoring of relevant situations and developments, striving for broad bilateral support for Taiwan, steady implementation of key ongoing policies, and identifying the priority tasks for the next several months and proactively executing them.

Taiwan and the United States are an alliance of ideals and values, and we believe that Taiwan-US relations will continue to grow stronger and deeper in the future based on our existing interaction and cooperation, and will not be affected by other variables. 

III. Stabilizing cross-strait relations

Addressing changes in cross-strait relations, President Tsai reiterated that maintaining cross-strait stability is in our common interest. Based on mutual respect, goodwill, and understanding, both sides should discuss how we can live in peace and coexist. Under the principles of parity and dignity, we are willing to work together to facilitate meaningful cross-strait dialogue. We hope the Beijing authorities will also take on that same responsibility, and make that dialogue happen soon.

IV. Stability and security of domestic politics and economics

To prevent external factors from impacting public safety and social order, the president instructed the relevant government agencies, including the Coast Guard Administration and the National Police Agency, to ensure that they maintain public safety, prevent the spread of disinformation, and strengthen the security and protection of public infrastructure, vigorously protecting Taiwan's democratic system and free way of life.

V. Future economic development

The president also instructed ministries and agencies related to finance and economics to pay special attention to changes in financial markets and the economy after the US presidential election; strengthen implementation of relief measures for industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and speed up the implementation of major investment projects and infrastructure programs to enhance our economy's resilience.

President Tsai emphasized that to address the realignment of supply chains, based on the "5+2 innovative industries plan," "Six Core Strategic Industries," and the "trillion NT-dollar investment program," the government will speed up the transformation and upgrading of domestic industries, and in coordination with the New Southbound Policy and through bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation with key trade partners, assist supply chains to establish links overseas.

The president emphasized once again the need to deepen Taiwan-US economic cooperation. After we made a policy announcement relaxing restrictions on US pork and beef imports on August 28, the US Vice President, Secretary of State, members of Congress from both parties, and representatives of Taiwan and US industry immediately used numerous channels to publicly and actively respond and support closer economic cooperation with Taiwan. During a recent visit to Taiwan by US Under Secretary of State Keith Krach, the two sides engaged in wide-ranging discussions on economic matters. A bipartisan majority in the US Senate also issued a joint letter to the Office of the US Trade Representative urging the administration to begin negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan. These advances are all due to Taiwan's willingness to face and resolve problems, and demonstrate our determination to re-establish our international credibility and promote substantive progress. Based on this progress, we believe that Taiwan-US trade negotiations can continue to gain momentum and will be successful when conditions are ripe.

In closing, the president stated that, in addition to Premier Su Tseng-chang's (蘇貞昌) directive at the Cabinet meeting last Thursday,  to strengthen supply chain cooperation in strategic areas, the government will also actively convene a "Taiwan-US economic dialogue," seek to resume negotiations with the US under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), and enter into talks with the United States on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), laying a foundation for institutionalized bilateral cooperation. At the same time, we must fully utilize the "framework to strengthen basic infrastructure financing and market building cooperation" to actively push for Taiwan and the United States to establish supply chain cooperation networks in the New Southbound countries and Latin America.

During the meeting, President Tsai also expressed deep concern about the recent death of a Malaysian student enrolled at Chang Jung Christian University. In addition to extending deepest condolences to the student's family, the president also directed the relevant government agencies to do their utmost to help the family handle related matters.

In a response to the death of a Malaysian student in our country, President Tsai expressed her deepest apologies to the student's family and the people of Malaysia. She feels that Taiwan should be the most friendly and safe country. This unfortunate incident has caused great harm to Taiwan's international image, and represents a gap in our efforts to maintain a safe society, and we must undertake a thorough review to ensure that this kind of incident never happens again.

President Tsai also expressed deep concern upon hearing about the strong earthquake that struck on October 30 in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey, causing considerable damage. In addition to directing MOFA to quickly confirm the safety of Taiwanese expatriates, the president also asked the Ministry to convey her concern and condolences, along with those of the people of Taiwan, to the people of Turkey. She expressed hope for an early recovery in the disaster area, and stated that Taiwan stands ready to provide all possible assistance.

 

President Tsai Ing-wen convenes a high-level national security meeting.
President Tsai convenes a high-level national security meeting, and issues directives on five issues.
President Tsai Ing-wen convenes a high-level national security meeting on the morning of October 31.
President Tsai convenes a high-level national security meeting on the morning of October 31.
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中文
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Mr. Johnson is the third former UK prime minister to visit Taiwan, following Margaret Thatcher and Liz Truss. I am confident that his visit will advance exchanges between Taiwan and the UK. Let me take this opportunity to thank former Prime Minister Johnson and the UK government. When the UK government under then-Prime Minister Johnson’s leadership held the G7 presidency in 2021, the G7 leaders’ communiqué for the first time mentioned the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. At many bilateral and multilateral events since then, the UK has consistently underlined its firm position on maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, further consolidating international support for Taiwan. In a concrete step to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait, the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey made a passage through the strait in June. In the same month, the UK government released its National Security Strategy 2025, which notes that the Taiwan Strait is central to global trade and supply chains. It adds that the UK does not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and will continue to strengthen ties with Taiwan in a wide range of areas, underpinned by shared democratic values. These efforts of the UK government, beginning with Mr. Johnson as prime minister, have contributed substantially to Indo-Pacific security.  In recent years, Taiwan-UK economic and trade relations have continued to reach new milestones. In 2023, we signed the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) arrangement. This was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. This June, we signed three pillar arrangements under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero emissions, demonstrating the determination of both sides to strengthen our economic and trade cooperation. Taiwan and the UK share the universal values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. Taiwan sincerely looks forward to deepening cooperation with the UK for mutually beneficial development and to contributing even more to the international community. Former Prime Minister Johnson then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for the invitation. He noted that this is an absolutely crucial time for the whole world and a time of great uncertainty. Echoing President Lai’s earlier remarks, he said that Taiwan is at the very forefront in the struggle between freedom and democracy on one side and autocracy on the other side. Former Prime Minister Johnson said that he is in Taiwan because he has always wanted to come here and because he is fascinated by the incredible achievements of this country, not least in microprocessors and cuisine. He then congratulated President Lai on his agenda for Taiwan, saying that he fully supports the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the increase in defense spending to three percent of GDP. Former Prime Minister Johnson stated his belief that there is absolutely no case for the current Chinese bullying of Taiwan, emphasizing that Taiwan is a free and peaceful society that does not deserve to be intimidated in this way. He added that there is no point in such actions, and that he hopes it stops as soon as possible. He noted that by talking to President Lai and other Taiwanese people over the last couple of days, it is absolutely clear to him that those who try to bully or take over Taiwan will never succeed, because Taiwan is an amazing democracy whose people are lovers of their own freedom. Former Prime Minister Johnson said that in very difficult and tense times, this is the moment for all Western countries to build economic and political relations with Taiwan and not to tiptoe away from Taiwan under pressure from any other country. He also emphasized that they in the UK will stand with Taiwan, not just because we share common strategic perspectives or have a growing economic partnership, but most important of all, because we share values, as President Lai mentioned previously. He highlighted that those values of democracy, human rights, and freedom are not only essential to Taiwan’s astounding success but are also right in themselves, concluding that we should defend them for their own sake.
中文
2025-08-01
President Lai delivers remarks on US reciprocal tariff policy response
On the morning of August 1, President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks at the Presidential Office on the response to the reciprocal tariff policy of the United States. President Lai explained that technical consultations with the US are finished, but as the final concluding meeting has not yet taken place, 20 percent has been set for Taiwan as an interim tariff rate. The president said that Taiwan will work towards a more favorable and reasonable rate in the subsequent negotiations, and that the US has expressed its willingness to continue talks. He added that a support plan for Taiwan’s export supply chain in response to US tariffs has been proposed to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in responding to the US tariff policy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Earlier today, the US government informed our lead negotiator, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), that an interim tariff rate for Taiwan has been set at 20 percent. Since April 2, when the US introduced its new tariff policy targeting countries worldwide, Taiwan has actively engaged in four in-person rounds of negotiation and multiple discussions over videoconference with the US government. Throughout the process, both sides have negotiated in good faith based on the shared goal of addressing the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US and creating complementary and mutually beneficial outcomes. Although we have achieved an interim reduction in the tariff rate from 32 percent to 20 percent at this point in the negotiations, 20 percent was never our goal. We hope to work towards a more favorable and reasonable rate for Taiwan in the subsequent negotiations, and the US has expressed its willingness to continue talks. We have finished technical consultations, but as the final concluding meeting has not yet taken place, a final tariff rate has not yet been reached. This is the reason for the setting of an interim tariff rate. I extend my sincere gratitude to Vice Premier Cheng and Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮) for working tirelessly over the past few months leading the negotiation team, remaining on call whether in Taiwan or the US. From here in Taiwan I, along with Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), and Secretary-General Pan Men-an (潘孟安), have also provided full support to our negotiating team in the US. Regardless of the final tariff rate, Taiwan’s industries will inevitably be impacted. I am deeply grateful to Premier Cho for proposing on April 4 a support plan for Taiwan’s export supply chain in response to US tariffs, and for holding over 20 industry consultation sessions. The special budget has also been increased from NT$88 billion to NT$93 billion. This special act has already been submitted to the Legislative Yuan and passed review. I hope that the Executive Yuan will promptly submit the budget request for legislative review so that the special budget can be implemented as soon as possible to assist SMEs in responding to this new US tariff policy.
中文