Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of February 28, President Lai Ching-te attended the nation’s main memorial ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the 228 Incident. President Lai again offered an apology on behalf of the nation and stated that the government will accelerate its work to make political archives available for public access and to clarify the facts of history; proceed further with implementing transitional justice and strive for social reconciliation; and prevent a recurrence of any historical tragedy similar to the 228 Incident. President Lai emphasized that only a nation ruled by the people is capable of preventing the state apparatus from repeatedly causing harm to the people. The president stated that he will bring Taiwan together for greater solidarity, regardless of ethnicity and irrespective of when we arrived, and that so long as we identify with Taiwan, Taiwan belongs to us all. He expressed hope that everyone can work together. He also expressed hope that our determination to defend national sovereignty and safeguard the free and democratic constitutional system will remain unchanged; and that our resolve to ensure that the people can live and work in peace and happiness, resist aggression and annexation, and prevent a recurrence of such historical tragedies as the 228 Incident will remain unchanged. A translation of the president’s remarks follows: Today is the first time for me to attend the nation’s main memorial ceremony marking the anniversary of the 228 Incident in my capacity as president, so I want to start by again offering an apology on behalf of the nation. I want to convey my respect to all of the oppressed persons who courageously faced the authoritarianism of that earlier time, and express my grief for the victims who lost their lives. To those who escaped death and are still with us, I offer my sympathy. And to all the family members I extend my condolences. My heart is always with you. It has been 78 years since the 228 Incident. The survivors are seeing their numbers dwindle due to the ravages of time. The highly respected Mr. Lin Tsai-shou (林才壽), who was the founding chairperson of the Changhua County 228 Incident Care Association and who spent his remaining years fighting for transitional justice, recently passed away. Each time a victim of the 228 Incident passes away, it is very hard for us to say goodbye. Being here today, I hope that as each victim leaves us, they leave behind the struggles of this world and find peace in a better place. The 228 Incident was not sparked by ethnic conflict, and in holding this memorial, we are not stirring up ethnic conflict. Those who describe the entire 228 Incident as a matter of ethnic conflict demonstrate no ability for self-criticism, an utter lack of remorse, and no awareness of their own responsibility. That is not right. The 228 Incident occurred because Taiwanese society at that time was already beginning to enjoy the benefits of modern civilization. Whether at night or during the day, people did not have to close their doors. The main mode of transportation at that time, bicycles, did not need to be locked. People raised chickens and ducks in cages right outside their homes and never worried about them getting stolen. That is what Taiwanese society was like back then. But the troops that came over from the mainland had been through many years of war, including the Northern Expedition, the war of resistance against Japan, and the civil war against the Communist Party. It is impossible that their living standards could have been comparable to what we had in Taiwan. The theft, robbery, and destruction that they engaged in, and the general disparity in their level of civilization, generated widespread outrage as well as backlash. Troops under Chen Yi (陳儀) were poorly disciplined. And as the dictator Chiang Kai-shek was being steadily forced to retreat from the mainland, he committed heinous crimes to ensure that he would be able to establish rule in Taiwan. Countless numbers of innocent people were arrested, imprisoned, beaten, or killed. Families were torn apart, and many people fled overseas. Taiwan lost a generation of its elite, which had an immeasurable impact on Taiwanese society. The 228 Incident was long a taboo subject in Taiwanese society. For decades the Taiwanese people dared not speak of it because, living in an oppressive political climate, no one had the courage to speak their mind. It was only after the Taiwanese fought together in solidarity and achieved democracy that the government began to offer apologies, provide compensation, restore people’s reputations, set up monuments, and established a holiday for remembrance. The government eventually established a 228 Memorial Foundation, and now holds an annual ceremony to mark the anniversary of the incident. We wish to recognize everyone who has participated in and contributed to transitional justice for the 228 Incident. Considerable progress has been achieved on this front, but as 228 Memorial Foundation Chairman Hsueh Hua-yuan (薛化元) has noted, some in Taiwan wonder why we always speak of the victims but not the perpetrators. Some also ask why we are not exactly sure what happened to some of the victims. With such uncertainties, they say, the process of transitional justice offers little comfort to the victims or their families, and there is no true social reconciliation. Looking to the future, I myself, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), and the relevant Executive Yuan agencies should coordinate with the 228 Memorial Foundation. Over the past few years, people in all walks of life have continued advancing the cause of transitional justice. Especially as it applies to information regarding the perpetrators, we need to enable our society to fully know the facts. On this basis, let us strive together for social reconciliation so that we can all work together in solidarity. However, we also know that tracking down the facts of history is not easy. For instance, the murders at the Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) residence, which happened on February 28, 1980, remain unsolved to this day. But investigations and research reports that have come out in recent years have not been able to rule out the possibility of the state’s involvement. However, it has at least been proven that Taiwan’s intelligence apparatus obstructed investigations into the case and even destroyed key evidence. The government cannot claim it bears absolutely no responsibility for the murders at the Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) residence. So today, on behalf of the government, I apologize to the Lin family. Moving forward, I will continue leading the government in addressing the 228 Incident on several fronts. First, we will accelerate our work to make political archives available for public access and to clarify the facts of history: Last year I instructed the National Security Bureau to manually inspect roughly one million records at the bureau pertaining to the period of martial law, and to conduct an inventory to determine which of those records qualify as political archives. This inventory process is scheduled for completion by May. The results of the inventory will be reported by June to the National Archives Administration, National Development Council for approval. The political archives will then be made available for public access, and anyone will be able to use them to ascertain the facts of history. Second, the government will proceed further with implementing transitional justice: With regard to the physical locations where human rights abuses took place during the period of authoritarian rule, the Ministry of Culture has launched deliberation procedures to discuss the preservation of “locations of significance to transitional justice.” This includes the site where members of the Lin I-hsiung (林義雄)  family were murdered – the present Gikong Presbyterian Church, which is a historical site of authoritarian-era human rights violations. I will ask our Ministry of Culture to launch a deliberation procedure to discuss the classification of Gikong Presbyterian Church as a “location of significance to transitional justice” and the provision of a commensurate level of preservation and maintenance. I hope that future generations in Taiwan will be able to visit historic sites and reflect upon how authoritarian rule undermines human rights and freedom. I also hope that, by working together, we can more deeply entrench our democracy. And third, we intend to prevent a recurrence of any historical tragedy similar to the 228 Incident: Each year’s ceremony to mark the anniversary of the 228 Incident is not simply about memorializing the victims, consoling their family members, and healing old wounds. These ceremonies are intended to take history as a lesson so as to ensure that history will not be repeated. We are all well aware that we have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty; we have a democracy insofar as we have a nation; we have rule by the people insofar as we have democracy; and only a nation ruled by the people is capable of preventing the state apparatus from repeatedly causing harm to the people. We are also well aware that China has not renounced the possibility of using military force to annex Taiwan. The greatest threat to Taiwan’s sovereignty, to Taiwan’s democracy, and to rule by the people of Taiwan, comes from China. In recent years, China has not renounced the possibility of using military force to annex Taiwan; it has stepped up its political and military intimidation. It has taken advantage of Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, diversity, and openness to influence citizens, organized crime rings, on-air political commentators, political parties, and even current and retired members of the armed forces and police, seeking to draw them into its united front for infiltration and division and thus undermine Taiwan. A report from the National Security Bureau indicates that 64 persons were charged last year with suspicion of spying for China, which was four times the number of persons charged for the same offense in 2021. It is thus clear that Taiwan faces a very serious challenge. It is my mission as president to bring Taiwan together for greater solidarity, and this must be done regardless of ethnicity and irrespective of when we arrived. So long as we identify with Taiwan, Taiwan belongs to us all. I will bring Taiwan together. I hope that our determination to defend our national sovereignty and safeguard our free and democratic constitutional system will remain unchanged. And our resolve to ensure that the people can live and work in peace and happiness, resist aggression and annexation, and prevent a recurrence of such historical tragedies as the 228 Incident remains unchanged. Let us all work together toward that end.

On the afternoon of May 10, President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the 21st meeting of the Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee. In remarks, the president stated that as her term of office is drawing to a close, she wanted to thank all the previous committee members as well as all those involved for their dedication. Their efforts have helped us confront history and take responsibility for errors, she said, allowing transitional justice for indigenous peoples to take root in Taiwan. The president said that when we work together for historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples, we not only protect equality and justice in Taiwan, but also give encouragement to indigenous peoples in other countries around the world, and this also highlights Taiwan’s democratic values.  The meeting began with a video outlining the committee’s achievements over the past eight years. After the video, President Tsai delivered remarks, stating that this was the 21st meeting of the committee, and the last meeting of the third-term committee. The president recalled that over seven years ago, she stood in the same place and issued an apology to Taiwan’s indigenous peoples on behalf of the government. After delivering the apology that day, she said, she accepted a sheaf of millet from Capen Nganaen, an elder of the Yami (Tao) people, symbolizing that the spirit of the government’s promotion of historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples would, like millet, take root and flourish on this land. President Tsai said that the video they had just viewed reflected the collaborative achievements of the public and private sectors, tribes, and indigenous peoples, allowing everyone to see that the spirit of ethnic mainstreaming and discussion on the basis of equality has not only informed the committee’s dialogue, but has also gradually been assimilated by the government at all levels and civil society. But depending solely on the committee’s eight years of operations, the president said, is not enough. She stated that we must continue efforts to promote mutual understanding among different ethnic groups in society, and proactively address historical justice for indigenous peoples. President Tsai stated that historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples are issues that we must confront together as a society. When we apply our collective efforts to that goal, she said, we not only protect equality and justice in Taiwan, but also give encouragement to indigenous peoples in other countries around the world, and this also highlights Taiwan’s democratic values. President Tsai then said that shortly, the committee would deliver a status report on its work from 2016 to 2024. We must illustrate the efforts we have made to seek equality and justice over the past eight years to the public, she said, and expressed hope that these accumulated achievements will allow us to take a more diversified approach, and contemplate how we can continue to promote and bring greater historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples.  Noting that her term of office will come to a close on May 20, President Tsai expressed her deepest gratitude to all previous committee members, as well as all those involved. Thanks to their dedication, she said, we were able to confront history and take responsibility for errors, which allowed transitional justice for indigenous peoples to take root in Taiwan. President Tsai closed her remarks by thanking everyone once again for cooperating and sharing this journey with her and the government. With the holiday just two days away, she wished everyone a happy Mother’s Day in advance, and encouraged the committee members to share their perspectives and valuable suggestions.

On the morning of February 28, in Chiayi County, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the nation's main memorial ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the 228 Incident. The president offered a floral wreath in memory of the victims, and stated that over the past eight years the government has worked systematically to advance work in transitional justice, pointing out that it has completed four fact-finding investigation reports to restore historical truths and has helped victims to restore their reputations and receive compensation. She said that nearly 2,000 applications for compensation have been accepted for processing, and the government has already paid out a total of more than NT$4 billion in compensation. The government's effort last year to pass an amendment to the Political Archives Act saw support from both the ruling and opposition parties, she said, and that amendment enters into force today. The president emphasized that transitional justice is not intended to be directed at any particular political party. Rather, she said, it is that the government in a democratic system must take responsibility for illegal acts committed by the state during an earlier period of authoritarian rule and make amends for past harms. She said that honestly facing up to our history is the only way Taiwan's democratic institutions can become more deeply rooted and continue to evolve. Emphasizing that there is no shortcut to transitional justice, and that scars in the memory do not easily fade, the president said that our generation must take concrete action to find ways to peacefully coexist with history and build an even more open society. She said that to face the past, we must not forget the past, much less fear to remember it; and to face the future, we must continue to deepen our discussions as we pursue a more democratic, sustainable social community. A translation of the president's remarks follows: The February 28 Incident filled the people of Taiwan with a desire for democracy and freedom, but authoritarianism and heavy-handed rule stymied the seeds of democracy and ushered in the White Terror era. This difficult period of the past left a scar on Taiwan's history. To help this scar to heal, we must first understand the nature of the wound. Until we honestly face facts and listen to one other, we cannot close our wounds and reach the genuine reconciliation that ends our history being a cause of division in Taiwan. Once we do this, the people of Taiwan will be better able to join together in defense of democracy and move forward together. Over the past eight years, we have worked systematically to advance work in transitional justice. In the area of legislative action, we began with reinforcing the foundation for transitional justice by amending the Act Governing the Settlement of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations, the Act on Promoting Transitional Justice, the Organizational Act of the National Human Rights Museum, the Political Archives Act, and the Act to Restore Victim's Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule. We have also established specialized organizations and mechanisms that form the engine moving our transitional justice project forward. Now that the Transitional Justice Commission has completed its mission, the Executive Yuan is coordinating the efforts of six central government agencies that have taken over the task of implementing transitional justice work. Building on this foundation, our government has completed four fact-finding investigation reports to restore historical truths, and we have amended legislation to improve the handling of political archives and ill-gotten assets in the possession of political parties. From the ill-gotten party assets that have been appropriated by the state, a special fund has been established to support public welfare and transitional justice-related work. We have also helped victims restore their reputations and receive compensation. Nearly 2,000 applications for compensation have been accepted for processing by the Restoration of Victim's Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule Foundation since it was established over a year ago. Last year, for the first time ever, our government returned property to a victim from whom it had been illegally confiscated by the state during the period of authoritarian rule. In total, the government has already paid out more than NT$4 billion in compensation. Transitional justice is not intended to be directed at any particular political party. Rather, it is that the government in a democratic system must take responsibility for illegal acts committed by the state during an earlier period of authoritarian rule and make amends for past harms. Honestly facing up to our history is the only way Taiwan's democratic institutions can become more deeply rooted and continue to evolve. After years of hard work, the 228 Memorial Foundation has identified 2,340 victims of the 228 Incident, and has additionally identified more than 4,000 possible victims. In a short while, acting on behalf of the government, I will be awarding "certificates of restored reputation" to the family members of several victims of the 228 Incident. Two of these individuals had originally been classified as "possible victims," but after historical archives were made available for public access it was confirmed that they had indeed been victims. Our experience in this case showed us that there remain more historical truths for the government to help bring to light. This is why the government saw support from both the ruling and opposition parties last year when it worked to pass an amendment to the Political Archives Act. That amendment did pass, and it enters into force today. Political archives provide many important pieces in the puzzle of our historical past, so I would like to ask our national security officials to adopt an open-minded attitude. I would like for them to declassify more political archives and make them publicly accessible to the greatest possible extent. Our transitional justice work encompasses truth, justice, reparation, memorialization, and, most importantly, guarantees of non-recurrence. These are the five internationally recognized pillars of transitional justice. We have also seen different sectors of Taiwanese society contribute to transitional justice, each in its own way. In Search of a Mixed Identity, a film about a victim of the 228 Incident, will premiere next month, and the Gongsheng Music Festival, which is held annually to commemorate the incident, marked its 12th year in 2024. I want to thank the many civil society organizations and young people who have worked so long and hard to further the cause of transitional justice. You have given of yourselves for the nation, providing fresh tinder to keep the torch of democracy alight and keep it glowing ever stronger. I must also thank the Executive Yuan, the Transitional Justice Commission, the Ill-Gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee, and the various central government agencies and civil society organizations that have accompanied us on this undertaking every step of the way. Together we have worked on behalf of those who suffered the indignities of the 228 Incident and the White Terror era so that they can put the darkness behind them. But I know full well that our efforts pale in comparison to what the victims and their family members have been through. There is no shortcut to transitional justice, and scars in the memory do not easily fade. Our generation must take concrete action to find ways to peacefully coexist with history and build an even more open society.  I have spoken with the Executive Yuan about the three points that Chiang Jung-sen (江榮森) just raised. As a matter of fact, these three points are related to issues the Executive Yuan is actively addressing right now, and I am confident that the Executive Yuan will come forward with public statements at the proper times. These matters are all part of the government's work, and we will continue doing our best to address them. To face the past, we must not forget the past, much less fear to remember it. To face the future, we must continue to deepen our discussions as we pursue a more democratic, sustainable social community.

On December 4, President Tsai Ing-wen convened and presided over the 20th meeting of the Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee, where she was accompanied by Vice President Lai Ching-te, who attended the one-and-a-half-hour meeting as deputy convener. Meeting participants began by reviewing the minutes of the 19th meeting of the committee. The third-term chair of the Subcommittee on Reconciliation and Vice Minister of Culture Hsu Yi-chun (徐宜君) and chair of the Subcommittee on History and Deputy Minister of Education Lio Mon-chi (劉孟奇) delivered progress reports on the work of their respective subcommittees as well as reports on what they plan to work on moving forward. During the meeting, Committee Member Syamen Womzas (夏曼威廉斯), representative of the Yami/Tao tribe, mentioned the damage recently caused by Typhoon Koinu on Orchid Island and the issue of reconstruction. Icyang Parod, executive secretary of the committee and minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, responded that since Typhoon Koinu passed through, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) has periodically called inter-ministerial meetings to hear progress reports on reconstruction work. Regarding the repair of damaged housing, the issue that most concerns the Yami people of Orchid Island, the minister said that the Executive Yuan has approved over NT$160 million in subsidies for housing repairs for nearly 700 local home owners, each of whom is eligible to receive up to NT$220,000 in subsidies. The minister added that the Council of Indigenous Peoples will also disburse funds via the Taitung County Government so it can distribute the money to township government offices to fund home repairs. As many of the traditional tatala boats of the Tao people were damaged or lost due to the typhoon, the minister said, the Council of Indigenous Peoples will also set aside special funds to provide assistance. In response, Vice President Lai, presiding in lieu of President Tsai, said that the president was very concerned about the impact of Typhoon Koinu on the lives of the people on Orchid Island. Many central government agencies – including the Ministry of the Interior, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Public Construction Commission, National Development Council, and the Taiwan Power Company – are actively participating in and assisting with the reconstruction effort on Orchid Island. In addition, he said, Taiwan Power Company will spend NT$1 billion to move all of the island's power cables underground. The vice president said he hopes Committee Member Syamen Womzas will continue to tell the government about the problems they face, and that they will use this platform to keep engaging in dialogue. Vice President Lai said he hopes the current reconstruction work will help revitalize Orchid Island and make it a smart and green island where culture and technology coexist with traditional and modern civilization. He said he believes that, while reconstruction is a fundamental undertaking that must proceed, we must also have a vision that reaches higher and farther, that is, we must think about how Orchid Island can become an Orchid Island for Taiwan, and even for the world. Vice President Lai issued several directives on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen. First, he thanked the Subcommittee on Reconciliation for its outstanding results in recording cultural heritage, recreating historical sites, and researching traditional knowledge. The vice president also noted that the subcommittee had provided guidance to various local indigenous cultural centers in their curation of five exhibits this year. He said that the subcommittee's work has enabled many members of the general public to learn about, understand, and develop a greater respect for indigenous cultures. Vice President Lai noted that the efforts of the Subcommittee on History have resulted in indigenous historical perspectives being presented in educational curricula, and the subcommittee's findings have been used in the education of those who teach indigenous transitional justice. Also, the subcommittee has conducted studies of major historical incidents, investigating and rectifying omissions. The vice president thanked colleagues from the various government agencies and private-sector groups for helping foster in the nation's citizens a more diverse historical perspective, and for demonstrating the richness of Taiwan's culture. Vice President Lai said that after the efforts of these past few years, more people have acquired a deeper understanding of the meaning of indigenous historical justice and transitional justice. He added that more and more people are coming to understand the concept of ethnic mainstreaming. Vice President Lai said he believes that consultations take place between the government and the indigenous peoples on an equal footing not only at meetings of the committee, but also through many other types of interactions and dialogues as well as in the course of government policymaking procedures. He said that this enables policies and laws and regulations to more closely address the viewpoints and needs of indigenous peoples while accelerating the pace of reconciliation between the state and indigenous peoples. Vice President Lai noted that President Tsai, in her opening remarks, had announced that the term of office for the members of the third-term committee had been extended to May 20, 2024. He said that President Tsai also asked the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, and other government agencies to continue cooperating closely to construct a discourse with respect to indigenous history to preserve indigenous education and cultures. He expressed hope that everyone will work together to ensure that indigenous history can manifest itself, whole and intact, within our society, and that Taiwan will keep moving toward the goals of equality, justice, reconciliation, and mutual well-being. In his closing remarks, Vice President Lai said he was very pleased to have the opportunity to help the president promote transitional justice for indigenous peoples, and that he was also pleased to be able to resolve several issues at this meeting. As a past member of the Legislative Yuan, he said, he had strongly supported passage of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, and during his time as premier he regularly presided over these committee meetings in accordance with that law, working with the representatives of the various indigenous peoples to implement the intent and the various work items of that law. And now, said the vice president, he is helping the president promote transitional justice for indigenous peoples in hopes of ensuring that people of all ethnicities can live in dignity, equality, and freedom in Taiwan. Vice President Lai pointed out that the indigenous peoples of Taiwan belong to the Austronesian language family, as everyone knows, so no individual or ethnic group should be regarded as somehow isolated from the others. He said that Taiwan's Pingpu ethnic groups are a branch of the Austronesian-speaking peoples, and that Taiwan Constitutional Court (TCC) judgment No. 17 clearly ruled that the Siraya people are indigenous. The vice president expressed hope that the Council of Indigenous Peoples can step up to ensure that the Siraya people enjoy the same respect as other indigenous peoples, and live with the same dignity that others enjoy here in Taiwan. Vice President Lai further stated that regardless of whether it is a meeting of the committee presided over by President Tsai, or any of various meetings on indigenous affairs that he presided over during his tenure as premier, such occasions have been more than just an opportunity to apologize to the indigenous peoples or restore their rights. He said that beyond that, the government has a responsibility to implement policies related to the indigenous peoples because the nation belongs to them as much as it does to the people of any other ethnic groups. Vice President Lai emphasized that the committee, beyond pursuing a range of undertakings designed to achieve transitional justice and reconciliation, also has a higher objective, which is to respect and affirm the indigenous peoples. In other words, he said, the government intends to ensure that the indigenous peoples can see hope for themselves on this land, and will make even bigger contributions to Taiwan. The vice president then called for us all to continue striving toward this objective.

On the afternoon of December 4, President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the 20th meeting of the Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee. In remarks, the president stated that work must continue with respect to transitional justice, development projects in indigenous communities, and ensuring the rights and interests of indigenous peoples, and that government agencies will continue to engage in dialogues with indigenous peoples. She also formally announced that the term of office for the members of the third-term committee has been extended to May 20, 2024, and asked the members to work together with her until her last day in office. The government is gradually implementing various policies in response to the aspirations of indigenous peoples, the president said. She expressed her hope that Taiwanese society understands that ethnic relations is an issue that involves us all, and that we must face historical truths together to move toward genuine reconciliation. In her opening remarks, President Tsai said that this was the committee's 20th meeting, and that we launched committee operations on August 1, 2016, the first Indigenous Peoples' Day after she took office. The president said that using this dialogue platform set up by the Presidential Office, the government, representatives from various indigenous communities, and experts and scholars have discussed historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples, and jointly established policy directions. The president then thanked all the committee members for working with the government over the past few years to advance the rights of indigenous peoples.  President Tsai pointed out that according to the Guidelines for Establishment of the Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee, the term of office for members of the third-term committee will expire on December 10 this year. However, she noted, work must continue with respect to transitional justice, development projects in indigenous communities, and ensuring the rights and interests of indigenous peoples, and government agencies must continue to engage in dialogues with indigenous peoples. She therefore asked all of the committee members to continue their joint efforts until her last day in office.  The president acknowledged that committee members still have issues they want the government to continue working on, and that there is still time before May 20 next year to finish such work. The president thanked the committee members for agreeing to extend their terms of office, and formally announced that the members of the third-term committee will be retained until May 20. She invited the committee members to keep working with her in promoting even more communication and discussions, and continue to realize transitional justice for indigenous peoples. Next year's budget for the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the president said, is NT$11.1 billion, a historical high. To implement development policies for indigenous peoples in urban areas, the president said, the government will build nine public service spaces and 17 cultural and ritual venues for indigenous peoples to facilitate diverse exchanges and greater mutual understanding among different ethnic groups.    In 2017 at the fourth committee meeting, the president mentioned, she invited the Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) and indigenous peoples to engage in dialogue. After the two parties communicated, the government allocated a budget for next year to purchase TSC land and return it to tribal peoples, achieving the policy goal of ensuring land and historical justice for indigenous peoples.   In November this year, the president said, members of the Paiwan tribe from Mudan Township in southern Taiwan retrieved their ancestral remains from the UK's University of Edinburgh through a Paiwan traditional ceremony. This had great historical significance as it is the first case in which Taiwan's indigenous community lodged an international request for the return of ancestral remains.  President Tsai said that promoting historical and transitional justice for indigenous peoples is a long-term endeavor. But we are not alone, she said, as many partners have gotten involved and we have international support, so the government can gradually implement various policies in response to the aspirations of indigenous peoples.   The president once again expressed her deepest gratitude to all the committee members, and said she hopes that Taiwanese society understands that ethnic relations is an issue that involves us all, and we must face historical truths together to move toward genuine reconciliation. President Tsai then invited Vice President Lai Ching-te to preside over the rest of the day's meeting, and encouraged the committee members to actively share their perspectives and provide valuable suggestions.

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.