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2023-09-07
President Tsai holds reception in Eswatini for traveling press corps

On the morning of September 7 local time (afternoon of the same day Taipei time), President Tsai Ing-wen held a reception at her lodgings in Eswatini for the press corps traveling with her delegation. The president shared the results of the trip and responded to media questions about diplomatic relations, the Africa Project, regional developments, domestic affairs, and other topics.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

This afternoon we will all depart for Taiwan, and I want to thank you for your hard work over the past few days. This was my second trip to Eswatini, five years after my first visit. After those five years, everyone can see the results of our bilateral cooperation in many areas.

Yesterday we saw an example of our cooperation when we visited the Referral and Emergency Complex of the Mbabane Government Hospital, the renovation of which is the result of our joint efforts and of our countries overcoming many challenges. We renovated a 100-year-old building, modernized its facilities, and stationed Taiwan's medical mission there. The Taiwan Technical Mission is also conducting many cooperative agricultural programs in Eswatini.

During this trip, we have seen the growing confidence of our colleagues at the embassy and of members of our technical and medical missions. They have a sense of mission to achieve even greater progress in our diplomatic work.

From our trips abroad over the past year, whether to Guatemala and Belize, or Vice President Lai Ching-te's visit to Paraguay, or this trip to Eswatini, I am sure that everyone in the traveling press corps has felt the sincere friendship between Taiwan and our allies, as well as how much our friends in those countries value and support Taiwan.

Especially over the past two years, many government officials and new heads of state from our diplomatic allies have visited Taiwan. Our people's free and open lifestyle and Taiwan's stable economic development have made a deep impression on them.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for their dedication. I know they have all done their utmost, including making very early preparations, and that some colleagues have come to Eswatini from other diplomatic postings to provide support. Over the past few days, I have repeatedly emphasized that diplomatic achievements are cumulative. Taiwan's diplomatic corps has been able to continue passing the baton, because each generation fosters the next with extensive experience that fortifies our future diplomatic efforts. That experience is the cornerstone of Taiwan's ability to maintain its presence on the international stage.

Going forward, we will continue working to expand the breadth and depth of Taiwan's diplomatic efforts. Once again, I want to thank all of our friends in the traveling press corps for your reporting, doing your best to report what you have seen so that more citizens can learn about Taiwan's diplomatic efforts. Thank you for your hard work.

Responding to a question from the media regarding whether she is concerned that China will continue to influence our diplomatic allies and whether or not she will have an opportunity to make a trip to Europe, President Tsai said that relations with all of our existing diplomatic allies are stable. She noted that this is especially true for Eswatini, which has long been a steadfast ally of Taiwan, adding that over the past few days everyone has witnessed the robust friendship between our two countries. The president also thanked Eswatini for the invitation to participate in the double celebration marking both the country's 55th year of independence and the 55th birthday of King Mswati III, saying that it allowed her to make another trip to Eswatini before leaving office and to witness the achievements and progress of our bilateral cooperation. One example, she mentioned, is the Mbabane Government Hospital everyone had visited the previous day, which was a construction site five years ago but is now where our highly efficient medical mission is stationed. The president then said she was delighted to engage in mutual assistance with our ally and friend. 

President Tsai noted that Taiwan's international visibility and support for Taiwan in the international community have increased significantly over the past few years, and that there is a very clear and broad consensus in countries around the world for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The president pointed out that Taiwan is now widely considered in the international community as a stable, reliable, and a trustworthy partner, and that Taiwan, as a force for good, has not only been acknowledged by international political leaders, but has also made a deep impression on people from around the world. These achievements, she noted, are the result of collective efforts. As for travel plans during her remaining term of office, the president said she believes that if there is a need, if it is good for Taiwan, and if it is an appropriate opportunity, then there will be a visit, but that there will not be a visit just for the sake of making a visit.

Asked whether she would attend this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in person to overcome the limitations on Taiwan's international participation, President Tsai responded by saying that every president would like to break this precedent set when APEC was founded, and that we will of course continue in our efforts, but that it is, indeed, a formidable challenge that we are taking one step at a time. The president said that this year we will continue to follow precedent by sending a leader's representative to attend, and that we will inform everyone after the arrangements have been made. 

Asked whether there was any competition intended by her current trip abroad, which comes after China's President Xi Jinping attended the recently concluded BRICS Summit in South Africa, President Tsai replied that every trip abroad is scheduled long in advance, and is not a spontaneous idea. She added in particular that the priority for this trip is Eswatini's independence day, which the country celebrates on September 6, and that the date does not change, so there is no need to read too much into the timing of the trip.

Asked whether she expects to make any diplomatic breakthroughs during her last months in office and if there is a chance for further exchanges with other countries in Africa, President Tsai pointed out that in addition to Eswatini, Taiwan has representative offices in several other African countries, and that 11 countries and over 80 legislators from both ruling and opposition parties in Africa issued a joint statement of welcome for this trip. She said that this is the result of efforts by our diplomatic staff in various countries over the past few years. 

President Tsai noted that Eswatini's King Mswati III mentioned that many political leaders from African countries had asked him about, and expressed interest in, Taiwan's affairs. That, the president explained, makes it clear that increasingly more people in Africa are becoming interested in Taiwan, and that they are paying more and more attention to Taiwan. She said that we are willing to interact with them to help everyone better understand Taiwan, and that we will look for opportunities to cooperate and develop substantive relations.  

One media member asked whether the president thinks Taiwan-related issues will be considered important matters of concern at the G20 Summit in India this month, like they were at the last G7 Summit. This was accompanied by two follow-up questions: whether this is an idea that the president has always wanted to convey to the international community and how the administration's team can convince people and make them more amenable to this way of thinking over time. President Tsai responded by saying that the G20 is still in its preparatory phase, so it is hard at present to comment on its future development. In addition, she said, Taiwan Strait issues have indeed received much attention over the past several years, being elevated from the cross-strait level to the Indo-Pacific regional level and becoming a global focus. The president said she believes that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has a strong global consensus, which is that no single party can unilaterally change the status quo.

President Tsai went on to say that Taiwan has gained in importance in recent years and in several areas: First, Taiwan has taken on an increasingly prominent geostrategic role, one that becomes more important especially as the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific changes. Second, she said, Taiwan holds such a key position in international supply chains that even a slight change in circumstances will affect global supply chain stability. Third, she added, Taiwan's democratic achievements have indeed already become benchmarks for democracies around the world, and the people of Taiwan have shown their determination to defend democracy and freedom, which has given the whole world reason to see the importance of working together to safeguard democracy, thus increasing their willingness to assist Taiwan. 

President Tsai noted that over the past eight years our core approach to governance has been clear – stable development. The president explained that we seek development within stability, and that we have overcome various challenges as they came, one by one, with composure and sound measures. She said that the whole world has seen that we honor our commitments and work to maintain the status quo, and thus sees Taiwan as a reliable partner, as well as a good partner to work with in handling regional affairs and maintaining peace. She said that our position in supply chains and our geostrategic role have made the world value Taiwan's security even more, and that to protect Taiwan's democracy is to protect it as a universal value of the world. 

Referring to what the president had mentioned earlier about the next president taking up the baton for the future of the Africa Project, a question was posed as to whether that baton could possibly be passed to Vice President Lai. President Tsai responded by saying that the Africa Project was designed to strengthen substantive relations with Africa during her term of office, and that with many members of the overseas community living in Africa, we already have foundations in various areas and are able to cooperate to develop substantive work related to Africa. She added that there is a transition process when a president leaves office, and that she will relay information about important issues to the next president. No matter who the next president is, she said, she will do everything she can to ensure that whoever receives the baton understands those issues.

President Tsai said that during this trip many political leaders from African countries came forward to express their support, which is also part of our work, and that she looks forward to improving and expanding the Africa Project. The president also said that she hopes MOFA will focus on taking the project to the next phase, and after completing a review, determine the next phase so that the next president can resume work on the project quickly. During that review, she explained, we will solicit ideas from members of our overseas community who are immediately involved in the issues to improve the plan for the future and facilitate its overall implementation. 

Asked about the death by suicide of a lieutenant from the ROC Marine Corps' 99th Brigade, which his family has raised concerns about, President Tsai said that she is extremely concerned whenever anything happens to one of our brothers or sisters in the armed forces, and that she was greatly saddened by this incident. The president said she has directed the Ministry of National Defense to clarify the matter, that she will do everything possible to care for his family's emotional well-being, and that she will help with the subsequent arrangements.    

Responding to recent reports that there will be minor cabinet changes, the president said that if there were adjustments to be made to the cabinet, she would discuss them with the premier, and that any changes to the team would be announced after confirmation.  

Responding to a question about the ways China is interfering in elections in Taiwan, President Tsai said that attempts from across the Taiwan Strait to exert influence are on the rise, and the methods used are increasingly diverse. The president noted that cognitive warfare has been an important challenge for those of us in democratic societies, especially over the past few years. She emphasized that we must ensure that others do not use our democratic mechanisms to undermine our democracy, saying that this is also a test of the overall maturity of those mechanisms in Taiwan. She then called on the public to verify any questionable information, and when they confirm that it is disinformation, help to clarify it. She added that the government also has to take a major responsibility by clarifying disinformation as soon as it is discovered and providing better explanations to the public.

President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan's democracy is the culmination of the efforts of many generations, and is something precious that we must defend and protect. The president said that there are many challenges, especially during an election campaign, and that she hopes that everyone will remain vigilant and verify information of unknown origin, while reminding people around them to do the same.  

Asked to comment on the 2024 presidential election, as well as Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) proposed coalition cabinet and suggestion that the president convene a national affairs congress, President Tsai said that elections are extremely challenging, and as the incumbent she believes that the public expects that after the election everyone will sort out their personal feelings, transcend party affiliations, and come together to communicate. Noting that her term of office as president expires on May 20, 2024, she said that she will do everything she can to help before leaving office. 

Asked about the recent controversy regarding imported eggs, President Tsai said this is an issue for those with professional expertise, and that to vendors with knowledge of the industry, some of the international trade models they use may differ from our usual understanding of trade models for manufacturing products. She stated that both the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Agriculture have issued detailed explanations over the past few days, and said she is confident that the process has been open and aboveboard and will stand up to scrutiny. 

Referring to China's enormous influence in Africa over the past few years, one media member asked how Taiwan should deepen relations with African countries. President Tsai said that King Mswati III of Eswatini has told her that many African political leaders have expressed interest in understanding more about Taiwan. The previous day, she said, she also had an opportunity to meet and talk with political leaders from other African countries, all of whom expressed an avid interest in many of Taiwan's issues. The president noted that while it is true that China does have significant influence in Africa, African countries also hope to have other options so that their economies and other aspects of their external relations can include Taiwan. She said that we will therefore continue to communicate with them and seek opportunities for cooperation and for further substantive relations with Africa, both as a whole and as individual countries.

Regarding the approach of steadfast diplomacy she adopted after taking office in 2016, the president was asked how she hopes observers describe that approach after she leaves office eight years later. President Tsai responded by saying that MOFA has always emphasized steadfast diplomacy, adding that it will remain our core strategy and that she had just repeatedly emphasized advancing substantive relations.

Accompanying the president at the reception were Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (王美花), Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), Deputy Secretary-General to the President Xavier Chang (張惇涵), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee (李淳), and Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini Jeremy H.S. Liang (梁洪昇).

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2025-07-08
President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.
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2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
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.
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