Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of November 16, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Lions Clubs International (LCI) President Brian Sheehan. In remarks, President Tsai expressed hope that under Mr. Sheehan's leadership, Lions Club members in Taiwan and LCI will engage in closer exchanges and cooperation to serve Taiwan and the global community. The president also thanked Lions Club members for their efforts to advance Taiwan's foreign relations and deepen our links with the world. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: I want to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Sheehan to Taiwan. My warm congratulations to you, Mr. Sheehan, on your election as international president of LCI. You have long been an important Lions leader at both the international and local levels, and I believe that under your leadership, LCI will make even greater contributions to the world. For years, Lions Club members from across the globe have upheld their sense of mission, reaching out to communities to provide a diverse array of services. LCI is also indispensable to international humanitarian assistance efforts. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the LCI Foundation has contributed approximately US$2.7 million to settling Ukrainian refugees and providing urgently needed healthcare and daily necessities. In addition, LCI's charitable fundraising program – Campaign 100: LCIF Empowering Service – has raised US$325 million, with Taiwan's Lions Clubs accounting for more than US$40 million, the highest amount from any single country. It is clear that the Lions' spirit of giving transcends all borders. Taiwanese Lions Club members have also drawn worldwide attention to Taiwan as a force for good, leaving us with a deep sense of admiration for their work. Earlier this month, Taiwan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on development and humanitarian assistance cooperation. This represents another step in institutionalizing the robust Taiwan-US partnership in promoting development and humanitarian assistance. Taiwan will continue to support international efforts to collectively advance a better and more sustainable future. I hope that under Mr. Sheehan's leadership, Taiwanese Lions Club members and LCI will engage in closer exchanges and cooperation to serve Taiwan and the global community. I want to thank all Lions for their efforts to advance Taiwan's foreign relations and deepen our links with the world. This is Mr. Sheehan's second trip to Taiwan. I hope that during this visit, you have the opportunity to learn more about Taiwan and that you will return often. I wish you a rewarding and successful trip. 

On the morning of August 11, President Tsai Ing-wen addressed the opening of the 2021 Asian Conference of Women's Shelters via video. In her remarks, President Tsai said that by expanding access to affordable, high-quality housing, we can reduce the burden on victims of abuse and disadvantaged groups, empowering them to start new lives while taking steps to bring about residential justice. The president also expressed hope that the discussions and experience-sharing at this conference will make a difference in our ongoing work to protect women's and children's rights.     A transcript of President Tsai's remarks follows: It is an honor to join you at this virtual conference. First and foremost, I want to thank each of you for all you have done during this pandemic to protect women's and children's rights. Since its founding, the Global Network of Women's Shelters has been devoted to ending violence against women and children worldwide. Within this global organization, the Asian Network of Women's Shelters and its partners have been working across the region to bring attention to the issue of violence against women and children. At the same time, they are also addressing the crucial need for shelters and social housing for those affected. To support women leaving or ending violent relationships, we need these stable external support systems that empower women and give them opportunities to grow. In Taiwan, the Garden of Hope Foundation has done a great deal of important work in this field. Before, shelters in Taiwan mainly offered only emergency, short term stays. But to help women adjust to normal life, it was necessary to let shelters serve other functions throughout the support process. By offering professional training as well as legal and economic aid, the Garden of Hope is providing the resources needed to help women take charge of their lives. In terms of social housing, by expanding access to affordable, good-quality homes, we can reduce the burden on disadvantaged groups and empower them to start new lives. This is how we bring about residential justice. With experts from all over Asia sharing their insights, today's conference is sure to be a valuable learning experience for everyone in attendance. I am confident that this forum will spur conversations on these important issues, and will provide inspiration for how we think about future policy. I want to thank each of you for your hard work, and I hope that in the near future, we can overcome the challenges of the pandemic and welcome all of you to Taiwan. Thank you.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with the winners of the 22nd Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Fervent Global Love of Lives Medals on the afternoon of September 27. She also thanked all the winners for showing us that no matter what challenges we face in life, we all have limitless potential. She expressed hope that the awards would allow us to spread the winners' powerful stories across the globe. A translation of the president's remarks follows: I want to first welcome you to the Presidential Office. I also want to thank Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Founder Chou [Chin-hua] (周進華) and Chairperson Guo [Ying-lan] (郭盈蘭) for organizing this meaningful event each year. This year, 20 winners were chosen from a variety of fields for overcoming life's obstacles and achieving what was once thought impossible. Many winners have surmounted physical limitations to create artistic masterpieces, an admirable achievement. Mr. Alexey Romanov, from Russia, is a pianist who will be putting on a lively performance in just a few minutes. Ms. Rusidah Badawi, from Indonesia, is a photographer whose works have been featured at the Indonesia National Gallery. Mr. Mariusz Kedzierski is a talented artist from Poland. Ms. Gao Shu-jhuan (高淑專) is an artist who painted her autobiography using her mouth. Mr. Lu Chih-song (盧志松) is a stoneworker and National Crafts Award Winner. All of them exemplify this determination to overcome physical obstacles. Japanese pianist Mr. Takuto Koyanagi drew from his own experiences to establish an association for musicians with autism in Japan that has cultivated a number of outstanding musicians. Mr. Li Xiao-guan (李曉光) from China, holds over 200 patents for codes he wrote using a single finger, a truly commendable achievement. Mr. Chou Tse-han (周則翰) refused to let his disabilities hold him back, swimming to first place at Taiwan's National Disabled Games. Chen Kuo-hsin (陳國信), also known as the "Presidential head chef," did not have an easy childhood growing up in an orphanage, but he strived for greatness. He has become a culinary sensation, and has cooked for many presidents and leaders of our allies at state banquets. Many of this year's winners acted as advocates and encouraged others who needed help, bringing about many important changes. Ms. Maria Luisa de Cossío de Gonzales Posada from Peru works to help homeless children on the streets. She has helped treat more than 30,000 South American children for drug addictions, giving them a new start in life. Kareem Waris Olamilekan from Nigeria is an artist with quite a following online. Although he is only 11 years old, his works have already amazed people the world over. More importantly, he shares the food he earns for his works with other children in his village, earning him the nickname "little Robin Hood." Mr. Ku Ying-yung (古英勇), an elder from Taiwan's Paiwan tribe, has made crucial contributions to indigenous culture and tribal tourism, and he works hard to foster mutual understanding between Taiwan's indigenous peoples and Han people. Mr. Lai Shui-huo (賴水和), also from Taiwan, planted 7 hectares of trees so that his mother could be exposed to more phytoncides, a natural plant compound. Mr. Lai was able to both take care of his mother and help realize our goals of environmental friendliness and greening. There are many other winners who have made contributions in different areas. These awards allow us to spread these powerful stories across the globe, and I am confident that they will spark a greater love of life in others. We are all presented with new challenges each day, and I want to thank this year's winners for showing us that no matter what challenges we face, we all have limitless potential. Thank you. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Founder Chou Chin-hua, and Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Ho Chi-Kung (何啟功). Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維).

On the morning of October 1, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a group of foreign Catholic clergy members serving in Taiwan. She thanked her visitors for their compassion and service to Taiwan, and spoke about some of the measures the Taiwan government has taken—including the launch of the Mackay Program and amendments to the Nationality Act—to repay people like Catholic clergy for their years of service. These measures provide special treatment to qualified persons and make it easier for them to obtain ROC nationality. Taiwan wants to care for these people, said the president. In remarks, President Tsai noted that the Catholic clergy members on hand had served in Taiwan for a combined total of more than 1,200 years, with each having spent an average of 36 years in the country. The president expressed sincere gratitude for their contribution, perseverance, compassion, and care for Taiwan. President Tsai mentioned that her visitors actively contributed in such fields as medical care, education, and services for women, the elderly, and persons with physical and mental disabilities. Through their patience and compassion, she said, they have contributed significantly to social progress in Taiwan. The president pointed out that her very best partner, Vice President Chen Chien-jen, is also a devout Catholic, and that she and the vice president have been working together to engage in public affairs and serve Taiwanese society. The president noted that in the course of this collaboration, she has come to keenly appreciate how Vice President Chen has been influenced by Catholicism. In his work, he demonstrates not just the rationality of a scientist, but also an abundance of compassion and patience. This experience has made her feel all the more respect for the visitors, she said. President Tsai noted that one of her visitors was Sister Flaviana Sebis (周寧慧), who has lived in Taiwan for 57 years. During this time, she has made contribution in educating children and serving the needy in remote areas of Hsinchu. The president also mentioned Father Murray Eugene Michael (曾顯道), who came to Taiwan in 1958, and has been in Taiwan longer than any other foreign clergy member. Father Murray, she said, has devoted himself to education in Chingshui, Taichung. He particularly focuses on socially disadvantaged families and migrant workers and regularly visits local prisons. He has served in Taiwan for 60 years, which is truly remarkable. And Sister O Anuna (滿詠萱) has used her expertise as a pharmacist to care for people with serious cases of cerebral palsy and other disabled and needy persons in Chiayi. In recognition of her contributions, she was presented with a Medical Contribution Award. Due to time restraints, said the president, it would be impossible to mention everyone's story, but she thanked them and affirmed that all of their contributions to Taiwan were equally significant. On behalf of the nation, President Tsai expressed her highest respect for every senior clergy member in Taiwan, including those not present among the visitors. President Tsai emphasized that veteran Catholic clergy members in Taiwan served here during the hardest years of our country, so it's time now for Taiwan to repay their kindness. There are currently 167 senior Catholic clergy members who have benefitted from the Mackay Program in many different ways. They receive discounts, for example, when they use mass transportation systems and visit scenic areas managed by government agencies or educational and cultural facilities. Long-term care is also available to those in need of it. President Tsai then mentioned that the government amended the Nationality Act two years ago to allow foreign nationals who have made a special contribution to Taiwan to obtain ROC nationality without renouncing their original nationality. One notable example is Father Brendan O'Connell (甘惠忠), who led the singing of the national anthem at the 2017 ROC National Day celebrations, and was the first foreign clergy member to obtain a Taiwan national ID card. Another such person, said the president, is Father Hugo Peter (吳道遠), who was among the visitors and received his national ID card that day from Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德). In closing, President Tsai welcomed other long-time foreign clergy members to obtain Taiwan citizenship via this same channel, so that Taiwan can have an opportunity to care for them.

On the morning of August 28, Vice President Chen Chien-jen met with Dementia Alliance International (DAI) Chair Kate Swaffer. The vice president thanked Chair Swaffer for speaking up on Taiwan's behalf for many years in important international venues, and also said that Taiwan looks forward to receiving her continued support in the international arena. In remarks, Vice President Chen stated that he was delighted to meet with his visitors, and also expressed gratitude for the many valuable suggestions that Chair Swaffer and her husband gave during several previous visits to Taiwan. The vice president then took the opportunity to thank her for voicing support for Taiwan for many years in important international venues like the World Health Organization and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). He went on to say that her voice has made the international community aware of Taiwan's efforts to address dementia, making her an extremely valuable ally. Chair Swaffer has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, said the vice president, and for many years has been a devoted advocate, spokesperson, and activist for people like herself. Ms. Su Hui-mei (蘇惠美), who was on hand, has also been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the vice president commended her active involvement in activities for people with the disease. In the future, the vice president said he hopes that the DAI will help foster exchanges between Taiwan and international organizations, so that we can develop the services that dementia patients in Taiwan need most. Vice President Chen pointed out that last year, the World Health Assembly has passed a Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025, and Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare has also launched the "Taiwan Dementia Policy: A Framework for Prevention and Care 2.0." Taiwan's 2.0 program has seven major strategies that can be grouped into three major tasks. The first task is to conduct an overall review of the relevant laws, and raise public awareness and acceptance of dementia. Since many children don't understand dementia, they can't get along with older people in their own families. So going forward, the vice president said, Taiwan will make dementia education part of the elementary and junior high school curriculum to resolve these issues. The second major task, Vice President Chen said, is to create a comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and care network. So the Taiwan government will be actively setting up dementia community care centers and community-based service branches, and start medical care and treatment early. And for those with a confirmed diagnosis, we'll provide consultations and care services in a community nearby. Diverse support services will also be widely accessible to relieve pressure on caregivers and families. The vice president further explained that the third major task is to establish a national platform to collect and analyze dementia information. Through this nationwide system, we can immediately grasp the status of dementia patients, quickly analyze which services they need most, and take remedial action.  Vice President Chen stated that system implementation is well underway, and the government has already set up a mechanism for comprehensive, long-term tracking, a responsible oversight unit, and a mechanism to integrate cooperation between ministries and agencies. The government will invest a total of NT$9 billion in those three tasks at various levels, working together to promote the rights and interests of dementia patients, and take care of all their needs. Since so many services are offered, the vice president said, it's also important that we help the public understand how to use them. Last year, Taiwan set up a long-term care services hotline so that our citizens can get all the information they need by dialing 1966. Looking ahead, we also plan to share Taiwan's achievements in dementia prevention and care with the international community. Caring for dementia patients, and our Long-term Care 2.0 plan, are major tasks and a tremendous responsibility. So the government is doing everything it can to make sure those policies are fully implemented. Vice President Chen closed his remarks by once again welcoming Chair Swaffer and the other visitors to Taiwan, and thanked the DAI, ADI, Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association, and other domestic organizations for their efforts to protect the human rights of dementia patients. He also said he hopes Chair Swaffer will continue to support for Taiwan in the international arena.

In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.