Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of December 9, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a senior delegation of representatives from the industry association SEMI and the renewable energy sector. During the meeting, President Tsai stated that the government will continue working to achieve its goal of 20 gigawatts of installed solar capacity by 2025, and will release additional offshore wind power capacity for development each year in order to build a more flexible and resilient power grid. The president also asked the business community for its support in these government efforts, so that we can lay a solid foundation for Taiwan's future global competitiveness. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: It was just yesterday that we met at the Energy Taiwan expo. And it is a pleasure to welcome you all to the Presidential Office today for a more in-depth exchange of views and to hear your valued opinions. First of all, I want to thank SEMI for its longstanding focus on the development of Taiwan's semiconductor sector. Its annual SEMICON Taiwan exhibition is a major event for the global semiconductor industry, as well as an important platform for our homegrown firms to connect with their international counterparts. Let me take this opportunity to wish SEMI all success with the upcoming SEMICON Taiwan exhibition, which will be held at the end of the month. This year, the value of Taiwan's semiconductor industry is expected to exceed NT$4 trillion, breaking previous records. One important task we have in maintaining our nation's global leadership in this sector is the development of green energy, so we can address the demand for green energy from semiconductor firms. Since 2016, cooperation between our government and all of you, as industry leaders, has yielded notable progress in Taiwan's solar and wind power sectors. And last year, the Ministry of Economic Affairs established a platform for trading green energy, speeding up efforts to coordinate green energy demand and supply in the private sector. Going forward, as we pursue our goal of 20 gigawatts of installed solar capacity by 2025, I will be closely following the MOEA's evaluation of additional areas for potential solar power project development. In addition, we have already announced details of the bidding process and localization requirements for the third phase of our offshore wind power development plan, as part of which 1.5 gigawatts of capacity will be up for bidding each year from 2026 to 2031. Moreover, to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into Taiwan's power supply grid, Taipower has set a goal of installing more than 1,000 megawatts of energy storage capacity by 2025, through a combination of direct construction as well as private tenders. Our administration will continue to work to ensure the stability of our power grid by developing more flexible and resilient systems. Energy transition is a key policy priority for our government, and we have a clear roadmap for how to overcome the challenges ahead of us and meet our goals. Your cooperation and support for our government's efforts are important to us. Together, we can help lay a firm foundation for Taiwan's future competitiveness. Among the members of the visiting delegation were SEMI Global Chief Marketing Officer and SEMI Taiwan President Terry Tsao (曹世綸), SEMI PV Committee Chairman Andy Shen (沈維鈞), SEMI Wind Energy Committee Vice Chairman Julian Kuo (郭世榮), SEMI Energy Storage Committee Chairman Paul Ai (艾祖華); United Renewable Energy Co. (URE) Chairman Sam Hong (洪傳獻); TSEC Corp. Chairman Liao Kuo-jung (廖國榮); ASE Technology Holding Co. Corporate Administration Officer Dtuang Wang (汪渡村); Yuen Foong Yu Group Chairman Hui-Jean Liu (劉慧瑾); Copenhagen Infrastructure Wind Power Development Taiwan Co. Managing Director Marina Hsu (許乃文); Ørsted Asia Pacific President Matthias Bausenwein; Siemens Gamesa Offshore Asia-Pacific General Manager Niels Steenberg; AUO Optronics Corp. Vice President of Energy Business T.Y. Lin (林恬宇); and Enel X Taiwan Co. General Manager Chen Wei-ting (陳威廷).

On the morning of December 8, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the 2021 Energy Taiwan exhibition. In remarks, President Tsai stated that by 2025 domestic construction of wind and solar power installations is set to generate NT$1.7 trillion in investments, more than NT$2 trillion in output value, and 160,000 job opportunities. The president also said that the government is making every effort to make Taiwan the green energy hub of Asia, while speeding up and expanding our green energy rollout so that Taiwan's energy sector will be an indispensable link in the international green energy supply chain. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: We're all aware that one of the key issues at last month's COP26 was the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This goal has become a global consensus, and, going forward, countries around the world will be working toward reducing their carbon emissions. Transforming our energy sector is the key to reducing carbon emissions, and today's Energy Taiwan exhibition highlights Taiwan's determination and ability to develop renewable energy. Each of you here is an important partner to our government in our joint effort to promote Taiwan's energy transition. I have participated in this exhibition's opening ceremony for four consecutive years, not just to show how important energy issues are for this administration, but also to thank all of you in person. Because of your efforts, Taiwan has been able to engage with the international community and contribute more to the world. Climate change is a global challenge, and Taiwan is joining the global response. The Environmental Protection Administration is currently working on amendments to our nation's Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, including writing the 2050 net-zero goal into law. And the Executive Yuan has set up a task force to evaluate possible paths toward net-zero emissions and draft a blueprint for our energy transition. Today's exhibition is our domestic green energy industry's largest platform for exchange. I want everyone to know that our government is making every effort to realize our vitally important goal of making Taiwan the green energy hub of Asia. In the future, global industrial demand for green energy will only continue to grow. This year, Taiwan began to implement provisions that will spur major power consumers to increase the proportion of renewable energy they use within five years. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will also subject the carbon footprints of export products to more rigorous inspections. As such, many international enterprises have joined the RE100 initiative, under which they have committed to using 100-percent renewable energy in the future. Here, TSMC and UMC are among the companies which have joined RE100 and have acted on their green energy commitments. I'm sure you all noticed that last week, SEMI released new data showing that Taiwan's firms spent over US$7.3 billion on semiconductor manufacturing equipment in the third quarter, setting a domestic record and making Taiwan the world's largest market for such equipment. This year, the output value of Taiwan's semiconductor industry is projected to surpass NT$4 trillion for the first time ever. Our semiconductor industry is indeed thriving. To meet urgent industry demand for green energy, our government is speeding up and expanding our green energy rollout, and is helping make Taiwan's energy sector an indispensable link in the international green energy supply chain. I also want to share with you that Taiwan's solar energy installed capacity has grown by a factor of 4.7 over the past five years, and our second offshore wind farm has also started operation. We expect that, through 2025, wind and solar power construction projects in Taiwan will generate NT$1.7 trillion in investments, more than NT$2 trillion in output value, and 160,000 job opportunities. To further progress and develop, Taiwan must continue to promote the transformation of our energy sector. To reach our long-term goal of net-zero emissions, we need to use natural gas in this transitional period and build a more flexible and responsive power supply network. Building the third liquefied natural gas import terminal will help relieve the imbalance created by generating power for northern Taiwan in central and southern Taiwan, and will also reduce air pollution in central and southern Taiwan. This facility is crucial to Taiwan's energy sector and to achieving net-zero emissions. We all know how important energy is to our nation's economic development, industrial competitiveness, and people's everyday lives. So, however difficult this energy transition may be, our government will continue to engage with people throughout society to jointly resolve any issues we might encounter. I hope we can combine our collective strengths and resolutely forge ahead on this path. In closing, I want to thank the organizer and co-organizers for their efforts to expand the scope of this exhibition every year. I also want to congratulate today's award winners, and thank each of you for your contributions to transforming Taiwan's energy sector. Let's continue to work together toward this goal. Thank you, and I wish you all a successful exhibition. Following her address, President Tsai presented the SEMI Taiwan Industry Contribution Awards, Taiwan Excellent PV Awards, Top Solar Awards, and PVGSA Renewable PV Power System Promotion Awards to awardees and firms. The president also visited the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, United Renewable Energy, and Taiwan Solar Energy Corporation exhibition booths and listened to presentations introducing their products. Also in attendance at the exhibition were Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng (林全能), Chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council James C. F. Huang (黃志芳), SEMI Taiwan President Terry Tsao (曹世綸), and members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan.

On the morning of April 22, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the 2021 Social Design Action Forum, entitled "Sustainability—The Solutions for Our Earth." In her remarks at the event, President Tsai noted that we all have a common goal: to cut carbon emissions and slow climate change, thereby reducing the resulting impacts and giving humans and all living things a sustainable environment. At the same time, she said, carbon reduction will prompt profound economic changes. The president added that Taiwan is plotting a path to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, both via an ongoing energy transformation, and by developing systematic strategies to reduce emissions in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, residential construction, and agriculture. A translation of the president's remarks follows: Today is Earth Day, a day when we come together to think about ways to promote sustainable development. We must recognize that humankind's only home, our earth, is now facing serious challenges. Taiwan is a key example of the challenges we face. Due to the effects of extreme weather, two or three years ago, we were worrying about flooding after torrential rains. And from last year until now, we have been experiencing our most severe drought in a century.  Although our proactive Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program has strengthened our water distribution and the development of new water sources, the challenges that we face from extreme weather are still serious. We all hope that these extreme weather patterns will not become the new normal. We therefore have a responsibility to work even harder to resolve climate issues.  As everyone knows, a new international trend is emerging to respond to climate change. The European Union (EU) led the way by proposing a European Green Deal at the end of 2019, including a pledge to become carbon-neutral, which means achieving net zero emissions, by 2050. The EU is also expected to start imposing a carbon tax. In addition, in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan, Korea, and China have all come out since last year to propose target dates for reaching net zero emissions. Our key partner, the United States, is also following suit, and today, President Joe Biden will convene a climate summit. The United States will play a key role in addressing global carbon reduction.  The world is changing rapidly, and so far, over 120 countries have announced plans to achieve net zero emissions before 2050. Many multinational brands such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft have also made commitments to reach net zero emissions. Everyone has a common goal: to cut carbon emissions and slow climate change, thereby reducing the resulting impacts and giving humans and all living things a sustainable environment. At the same time, carbon reduction will prompt profound economic changes. Whoever can take the lead in developing new technologies and creating new economic models will cement their status in a new global order. Taiwan will not be left to chase this international trend. During my first term in office, we launched the 5+2 industrial innovation plan, as part of which we are now engaged in an all-out effort to develop green energy and a circular economy. In my New Year's address this past January, I said that we would consult widely to identify the future sustainable development methods most appropriate for Taiwan, while turning the challenges of carbon reduction into new opportunities for industrial development and job creation. Most countries around the world are talking about achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Taiwan is actively preparing to take steps toward this goal. Under the coordination of our Executive Yuan, our government has already begun evaluating what Taiwan needs to do to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition to the ongoing transformation of our energy sector, we also need to devise systematic strategies to reduce emissions in manufacturing, transportation, residential construction, and agriculture. Some regard these things as a challenge, but I firmly believe that many of our friends in industry see the transformation to net zero as an opportunity. Thinking must change on both the supply and demand sides of the market, so that we can seize new business opportunities and make Taiwan an even stronger competitor in global supply chains. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), for example, has joined the RE100 renewable energy initiative, which promotes 100-percent reliance on green energy. And many companies have joined the Taiwan Circular Economy 100, an alliance of firms seeking to move away from the linear economy toward a circular economy. These are excellent examples of the willingness of industry to adapt to these emerging trends. I was also very happy to see domestic media organizations, corporations, and civil society groups launch the 2021 Social Design Action Forum, held in collaboration with the American Institute in Taiwan, to expand space for international exchange focused on innovation. Kevin Yang (楊振甫), the CEO of 5% Design Action and the curator of today's event, said that "The battle for sustainability isn't one you can fight alone." The cover of the latest issue of TIME magazine clearly states: "Climate Is Everything." Putting a stop to global warming is one of the key challenges of our generation. As I said earlier, Taiwan cannot sit on the sidelines of this challenge; we must seek out opportunities to cooperate with other countries and create mutually beneficial outcomes. In closing, I want to thank the organizers of this summit for their thoughtful arrangements, as well as the many people concerned about climate change in attendance. I wish you all success over the coming three days, as everyone pools their collective wisdom to come up with creative new solutions.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Third Global Corporate Sustainability Forum and Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards ceremony on the morning of November 18. She explained the government's sustainable development policies, and expressed hope that government and business will learn from each other and explore the viability of various action plans together so that we can actively share Taiwan's experiences with our global partners A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: I am delighted to be here for the Global Corporate Sustainability Forum with so many leading figures from the business community. First, I want to congratulate all the enterprises that have won a "Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Award" or "Global Corporate Sustainability Award." Thank you all for showing a strong sense of corporate social responsibility. I also want to thank Ambassador Eugene Chien (簡又新). Under his leadership, the Corporate Sustainability Awards are now in their 13th year, leading more and more companies to make sustainable development part of their business DNA. In an international evaluation last year, Taiwan enterprises ranked third in the world for Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) information disclosure transparency. So your efforts have produced excellent results. Over the last three years the Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals, jointly founded by the government and private sector, has not only presented "Global Corporate Sustainability Awards" to enterprises around the world. It has also created Asia's largest corporate sustainability forum. In spite of COVID-19's impact this year, our success in containing the pandemic has allowed us to hold this important platform for international exchange. Everyone's efforts complement Taiwan's key international development strategies. To address the current global pandemic, we have put the "Taiwan Can Help" spirit into practice by providing disease prevention materials and sharing our disease prevention experience. And we should also contribute our capabilities and experience to address post-pandemic global challenges like climate change, and economic and social transformation. Of course, to contribute to the world, first we have to keep improving ourselves. Over the past few years, the government began by consulting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to continuously make sustainable development one of our key policy implementation goals. Through the adoption of our "Taiwan Sustainable Development Goals," we have mapped out national sustainable development policy directions and established the corresponding targets. We have also included key industries such as green energy and the circular economy in our "5+2 Innovative Industries Program" and "Six Core Strategic Industries" initiative to encourage enterprises to use clean renewable energy. This will enable them to adopt sustainable development values in the process of industrial upgrading and transformation. The government also hopes to give enterprises even more encouragement to focus seriously on sustainable development. So beginning in August this year, we launched the "Green Finance Action Plan 2.0" and "Corporate Governance 3.0—Sustainable Development Roadmap." These initiatives draw on the power of financial institutions to encourage enterprises to apply Responsible Investment principles as they influence supply chains and consumers, and thereby work together to contribute to sustainable development. We are also sharing our experiences with international partners. Early this month, for example, representatives from Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands exchanged circular economy and marine conservation experiences through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework. These examples show that Taiwan has done a lot in the field of sustainable development, and we want to continue and do even more. More important, we want to bring the "Taiwan Can Help" spirit to global sustainable development issues. Recently, many countries have been giving careful consideration to linking their green policies in response to climate change and post-pandemic economic stimulus measures with sustainable development goals to create a "green stimulus" effect. I hope that the "Global Corporate Sustainability Forum" will give government and business a chance to learn from each other and explore the viability of various action plans together. We can also actively share Taiwan's experiences with our global partners. Once again, I want to thank everyone here today for your efforts to promote sustainable development. Let's join forces and continue to make even greater contributions to Taiwan and the world. Following her remarks, the president personally presented the awards to the representatives from award-winning enterprises, recognizing their efforts to achieve sustainable development. Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng (林全能), Financial Supervisory Commission Vice Chairperson Hsu Yung-chin (許永欽), Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals Chairperson Ambassador Eugene Chien, and Head of the European Economic and Trade Office Filip Grzegorzewski.

On the morning of October 2, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the EcoMobility World Festival and Congress 2017. The president praised Kaohsiung City for its excellent performance as event host, and expressed hope that more cities in Taiwan will follow Kaohsiung's lead by getting involved in ecomobility so that citizens throughout Taiwan can have more convenient, healthy, and sustainable living environments. After arriving at the venue President Tsai first enjoyed a performance called "Impressions of Taiwan" by the Succession Percussion Group. She then watched an opening ceremony video produced by the event organizers, and delivered remarks, stating that the decision of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) to hold the third EcoMobility World Festival in Kaohsiung shows that the city has changed. Formerly a traditional industrial city, she said, Kaohsiung is now gradually changing direction and adopting the path of sustainable development. President Tsai pointed out that the sight of Kaohsiung police officers patrolling the streets on electric scooters is no longer a surprise, the C-bike bicycle sharing system has already logged more than 15 million rentals, all stations in phase-one of the Kaohsiung Light Rail System are now in service, and the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System has begun to turn a profit. In addition, planning for a new rail network continues to progress. System density will increase as time goes by, and public transportation is expected to become more and more popular with local residents. President Tsai stated that Kaohsiung's development of ecomobility demonstrates the city's commitment to urban transformation, and said her administration hopes to see other cities follow Kaohsiung's lead by embracing ecomobility so that citizens throughout Taiwan can have more convenient, healthy, and sustainable living environments. The government will therefore tap into the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program special budget to support railway construction throughout Taiwan to balance out the previous emphasis on highway construction. President Tsai stated that first-time visitors to Taiwan must certainly feel curious about the huge number of scooters on the streets. The fact is, she said, the popularity of scooters in Taiwan is dictated by the logistics of our urban and rural lifestyles, which is why the government is planning to develop electric scooters. The aim is to spur the growth of domestic demand for electric scooters. The president mentioned that the feasibility of self-driving buses is now being tested in Kaohsiung, Changhua (in central Taiwan), and Taipei. The government is also planning to build a test facility for self-driving vehicles. By integrating our manufacturing capabilities in the fields of computer chips, autos, and the Internet of Things, she said, Taiwan is looking to develop a driverless vehicle manufacturing industry. President Tsai thinks that ecomobility involves more than just cleaner transportation. As suggested by the theme of this year's Congress—Livable, Shared, and Intelligent—ecomobility is a way of life, a new kind of culture. The president pointed out that more smart mobility, car sharing, walking, and human-centered urban planning will help residents to develop closer links to their local communities. Consumption patterns will become more varied, and city life will become less focused on just a small number of shopping districts. This sort of bottom-up vitality will spur the overall sustainable development of cities, said President Tsai, who added: "These are precisely the objectives that the ICLEI is pursuing." President Tsai observed that since its founding, the ICLEI has done an admirable job of promoting sustainability, resilience, livability, and low-carbon systems. Taiwan is willing to continue cooperating with the ICLEI and other friends around the world in the field of ecomobility, said the president, who invited people from all around Taiwan to come to Kaohsiung's Hamasen district to get a feel for the benefits of ecomobility and experience a new lifestyle. President Tsai praised Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) for decisively putting the city on a more environmentally friendly path. The president also emphasized that her administration's actions will prove that "Taiwan's future is a green future." She then added, "Let's go! Go Kaohsiung!" After completing her remarks, President Tsai and the distinguished guests watched a video by Delta Electronics on Taiwan's water situation. Then the president joined Mayor Chen and others in boarding a self-driving vehicle to experience the convenience afforded by technology. In addition to Mayor Chen, other attendees included Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Yu-Cheng Kang (康裕成), ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin, and representatives from member cities of the EcoMobility Alliance.

President Lai Ching-te on the morning of October 10 attended the ROC’s 114th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building, and delivered an address titled “A New Taiwan Rises in a Time of Change.” A translation of the president’s address follows: National Day Celebration Chairperson Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Her Excellency the Governor-General of Belize Froyla Tzalam and Mr. Daniel Mendez, His Excellency the Governor-General of St. Lucia Errol Charles and First Lady Anysia Charles, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Paraguay Raúl Latorre, Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji, heads of delegations from diplomatic allies and friendly nations, members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and my fellow citizens here in person and watching on TV or online: Good morning. Today is the National Day of the Republic of China, and while we gather every year to celebrate the nation’s birthday, this year is an especially significant one. It is a historic year for Taiwan’s democratization. One month ago, September 10, was the historic date when the number of days Taiwan had spent free from martial law officially surpassed the number of days endured under its stifling rule. This signifies that we have parted entirely from an authoritarian regime and its shadow, and have ushered in a democratic future full of hope. We will not forget the blood and tears of those who united to defend against aggression, nor will we forget the selfless sacrifices of past generations in pursuit of democracy and freedom, granting sovereignty to the people. Those stories, which have become woven into the fabric of our land, are our collective memory. Democratic Taiwan, forged through untold hardships, is what most clearly positions the 23 million people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu in this world. Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in Asia. For every person still living in darkness under authoritarian rule, we forever shine the light of hope. This year also saw Taiwan’s rise. Nations around the world are suffering drastic changes and challenges, and Taiwan is no exception. In addition to the Russia-Ukraine war, turmoil in the Middle East, and China’s continued military expansion, the United States’ tariff policy has delivered a blow to economies and industries alike. But the people of Taiwan are still on their feet. And not only that – this year’s economic performance greatly impressed the global community. According to the Asian Development Bank’s latest report, Taiwan’s economic growth rate this year leapt from 3.3 to 5.1 percent, leading the Four Asian Tigers and surpassing China. Taiwanese exports have continued to reach record highs, and employment is at its best in 25 years. Our stock market has also risen for six consecutive months, hitting an all-time high of 27,301 points. Taiwan’s market capitalization has topped US$3 trillion, making our stock market the world’s eighth largest, and foreign exchange reserves surpassed US$600 billion for the first time, setting a new record. In the midst of adversity, we remain undaunted. In the midst of challenges, we grow ever stronger. These are achievements that the people of Taiwan made together. Let us all celebrate them!  These impressive economic accomplishments also reflect the stellar record of Taiwan’s semiconductor, ICT, electronic component, and other leading industries. Their advantageous position in the global supply chain is the result of long-term key policies for the development of technological and manufacturing capabilities, unique business models, and government-led science parks. This is a monumental industrial achievement forged by decades of combined efforts, and it belongs to all the people of Taiwan. As president, it is my mission to protect these valuable assets and use them to boost Taiwan’s and even worldwide industrial and economic growth, helping to create even better lives for people in Taiwan and around the world. This is also the direction Taiwan is taking. Of course, we will certainly not ignore the formidable challenges in this time of global change, and the risks they pose to different industries, different fields, and groups of different backgrounds. Many of the champions, traditional industries, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) leading Taiwan’s economic growth from behind the scenes are facing the pressure of the digital and net-zero transition. Many workers feel concerned and uneasy about job opportunities, salaries, commodity prices, and cost of living in the face of the AI wave. Farmers are also being impacted by an aging rural population and market liberalization. The government will not take these challenges lightly, and will not ignore the impact they have on each and every citizen. It is our responsibility to put our full effort into assisting traditional industries, MSMEs, working families, and those in the agricultural and fishing industries. Therefore, in addition to having proposed a 93-billion-NT-dollar tariff impact support plan to help enterprises, workers, and those in the agricultural and fishing industries weather this difficult time, the government will also be investing tens of billions of dollars each year to help MSMEs introduce AI into their work so they can move toward digital and net-zero upgrading and transformation and address challenges. For traditional machine tools, screws and nuts, and other industries that are facing difficulties, we will also be proposing separate countermeasures to actively help boost competitiveness and expand the market. My fellow citizens, times of change are also times of opportunity. Taiwan’s economic performance is clear for all to see, and our key position in the global supply chain can neither be challenged nor replaced. In the face of change, we must not doubt ourselves or waver, but seize opportunities with confidence and bravely follow through. We must not be complacent or turn back, but even more proactively forge ahead in the world. A Taiwan that is certain will serve as an important, reliable, and steady force for an uncertain world. Moving ahead, we will adopt three major strategies in order to ensure the Republic of China Taiwan’s competitive advantage: First, we will expand investment in Taiwan. Our Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan have yielded substantial results. Investment has surpassed NT$2.5 trillion, creating over 160,000 job opportunities. In July, the Executive Yuan extended the programs to 2027 while also expanding applicable industries and eligibility to include overseas Taiwanese businesses worldwide and foreign investing enterprises. The government is continuing to optimize the investment environment, adding NT$720 billion in new loans to attract investment in Taiwan and bring in an estimated NT$1.2 trillion in capital and 80,000 more job opportunities. Besides having good work, we should also have good lives. With this in mind, the government launched the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan to encourage copious investment of private capital in public infrastructure through innovative public-private partnerships. It expands funding for construction while at the same time promoting critical infrastructure projects across counties and cities nationwide, in areas such as water, electricity, housing, education, healthcare, culture, tourism, and transportation. This will help meet local residents’ needs so they can live happy lives, and enable industries and spheres of living to develop in a complementary way so that we can achieve our goal of a balanced Taiwan. Second, we will deepen international economic and trade cooperation, and expand our global presence. This year, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, under the framework of our Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement, additionally signed three pillar arrangements in investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This marks a new milestone for Taiwan-UK economic and trade relations, showing our mutual commitment to high international trade standards and laying the foundation for cooperation in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other strategic industries. Moving ahead, Taiwan will sign bilateral economic and trade cooperation agreements with even more friends and allies while upholding the principle of mutual benefits. We will also actively engage in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the US to secure a reasonable rate, resolve the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US, and deepen industrial cooperation. This will enable Taiwan’s economic development to become more globally connected and thereby make great strides. Third, we are building a chain of “guardian mountains” to shore up Taiwan’s industrial capabilities. In this digital age, we will implement 10 new AI infrastructure initiatives. In addition to helping make Taiwan one of the world’s top five computing centers, we will also invest more vigorously in R&D in three key technological fields: quantum technology, silicon photonics, and robotics. This will facilitate the introduction of AI tools in different sectors and professions, and promote the application of AI in various fields, helping Taiwan move toward an era of comprehensive smart technology and continue to maintain its leading position in global tech development. We are also building Taiwan into a hub in Asia for asset management. This will not only help retain trillions in Taiwanese capital, but attract investment in Taiwan with international capital, promoting growth in the financial industry, creating quality job opportunities, and strengthening Taiwan. The biopharmaceutical industry is a key national industry and has thus been included in our National Project of Hope. We are also developing toward greater use of precision health in health maintenance, preventive medicine, diagnosis, treatment, and care, giving our nation durable competitiveness and advancing the well-being of our people. Next year, our National Infectious Diseases Bank will be completed, and Taiwan will continue stepping up its cooperation with other countries in the field of biotechnology. Through our program for investment in smart healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship, with its budget of NT$10 billion, we will encourage more firms to invest in innovative R&D, expand investment, and move the biomedical industry toward becoming a trillion-NT-dollar industry, which will be one more guardian mountain for our nation. My fellow citizens, Taiwan is for all the people of Taiwan. We are well aware that no matter how impressive our economic performance may be, we must not overlook anyone on this land. The fruits of our economic growth should be enjoyed by all our people. Good numbers should translate into good lives, with no one left behind. Helping our citizens stay healthy, nurturing young talent, creating an even better environment for the younger generation, and providing greater support for young families is the government’s absolute responsibility. The Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan, launched this year, is improving the medical environment and system overall and will ensure higher quality healthcare services for all citizens. Also this year, we officially established the Ministry of Sports, ushering in a new era of sports for all, competitive sports, and professional sports. With this new ministry, we aim to ensure that all athletes receive full national support so that they can pursue their dreams on the global stage, winning national glory. In addition, to support our young people, we are providing free tuition for high schools and vocational schools, and an NT$35,000 annual tuition subsidy for students of private junior colleges, colleges, and universities. Our Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, which supports young people aged 15 to 30 in pursuing their dreams abroad, is officially underway. Moreover, for renters, the government provides NT$30 billion in annual rent subsidies. Unmarried renters with an annual income below NT$626,000, families of four with a combined annual income below NT$1.641 million, and households with three generations living together with a combined annual income below NT$2.1245 million will be exempt from individual income tax. We will also provide even greater support to the young parents in our society. In addition to promoting version 2.0 of our national childcare policy for ages 0–6, with increased childcare allowances and expanded childcare subsidies, starting next year, the government will provide an increased birth subsidy of NT$100,000 per child. Nor do our senior citizens need to worry. Next year, with the launch of Long-Term Care 3.0, the government will work hard to ensure that all seniors receive more convenient, more comprehensive care. Our goal is to ensure that all to whom the nation belongs – our children, young people, parents, and grandparents – receive better care so that they can face the future with greater confidence. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The lessons of World War II are still fresh in our memory. The ambitions of the aggressors in that conflict caused widespread devastation and loss of life. In today’s world, authoritarianism continues to expand and the international order faces severe challenges. Regional order in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea, and even the security of the entire first island chain, are under serious threat. Democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community. As such, Taiwan will work to uphold the status quo, ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promote the prosperous development of the region. We look forward to the day when China can take responsibility as a major power and cease its distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and historical World War II documents. We also hope it will renounce the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait so that we can jointly maintain the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific. Looking back at World War II, we see that so many experienced the suffering of war and the pain of invasion. We should learn from these lessons and ensure that the tragedies of history are never repeated. The outcomes of that conflict tell us that aggression fails, unity prevails, and that peace is won through strength. I want to declare to our citizens and the international community: At the end of this year, we will be proposing a special budget for national defense. Defense spending, as it is defined by NATO, will exceed 3 percent of GDP next year, and will reach 5 percent of GDP by 2030, showing our determination to safeguard the nation. The increase in defense spending has a purpose; it is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defense industries. Through our new defense budget, we aim to achieve three major goals: First, we will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens. Second, we will advance the integration of high-tech and AI technologies to build a smart defense combat system, maximizing effective deterrence for our asymmetric strategy. Third, we will continue to invest in innovative defense technologies and collaborate with the military industries of advanced nations to bolster our defense industry capabilities. We will strengthen our domestic supply chains through local R&D, design, and manufacturing. This will enable Taiwan to accelerate industry upgrades, enhance the resilience of our military equipment, and boost the capacity of our defense industry. In that way, Taiwan, becoming a trusted security partner for our friends and allies, can jointly avoid the red supply chain and foster trust in defense among free and democratic countries, while building a robust line of defense to safeguard the values of freedom and democracy. We are determined to maintain peace through strength. We firmly believe that strength is not obtained through military strength alone, but must also rely on resilience throughout society. Over the past year, through the efforts of the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, we have built up greater strength between the government and private sector, and between the central and local governments. We have integrated disaster prevention and defense to strengthen military-civilian cooperation. We have also continued to strengthen resilience in civilian training, energy, healthcare, information and communications networks, and finance, comprehensively enhancing our ability to respond to various crises. I want to emphasize that building societal defense and resilience requires every ounce of effort. Last month, we released our updated national public safety guide, which includes strategies for responding to various natural disasters and even extreme scenarios such as a military invasion. We plan to gradually ensure that each and every household has access to this safety guide, because only when all of society participates and learns to help themselves and one another can Taiwan develop greater resilience to face all kinds of challenges. My fellow citizens, over the past year, we have faced numerous challenges together, but the people of Taiwan never give up hope. Whenever a crisis arises, we always see numerous Taiwanese standing on the frontline, selflessly dedicating themselves to the nation they love. Just last month we saw two very moving scenes. The first was at the UN General Assembly held in New York, where many members of the overseas Taiwanese community raised money and launched a fundraising campaign to light up Times Square with advertisements to “Chip in with Taiwan,” promoting Taiwan’s participation, and advocating that we are “Better Together.” It touched the hearts of people around the world. The second was the tens of thousands of volunteers who, after the Fata’an Creek barrier lake disaster, slipped on their rain boots, shouldered their shovels, and traveled great distances to provide relief to help the affected residents of Hualien return to normal life as soon as possible.  These “superheroes with shovels” did more than dig out heavy mud and sludge to help disaster victims return home; these heroes also uncovered a light – a light of hope that warmed every heart it touched. More than that, they proved the remarkable resilience of the Taiwanese people and their resolve to protect our homeland in the face of crisis. Now, let us all thank these superheroes of disaster relief, who come from all walks of life and from all over the country, as well as friends from abroad and the military, police, firefighters, and central and local government personnel who devoted themselves to the relief effort. This spontaneous nationwide movement is absolutely unique in the world, and for that the world will remember: Taiwan, that small mountainous country, is truly compassionate, and truly great! Moving forward, I will continue to lead the country, hearts united, without fear of hardship or challenge, bravely, toward an even better tomorrow. Let’s keep going, Taiwan! Let’s keep going, Republic of China! Let’s keep going, Republic of China Taiwan! Thank you.