Cross-strait security and reinforcing the nation’s position in the global supply chain are key priorities for her final year in office, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
“It’s the global consensus that the Taiwan Strait issue must be resolved peacefully,” Tsai told a news conference marking the seventh anniversary of her presidency at the Presidential Office in Taipei, adding that peace was the only option for Taiwan in terms of ties with China.
China has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai took office in May 2016.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
The president has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.
“War is not an option. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo with non-peaceful means,” Tsai said. “Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus for both the world and Taiwan.”
“In the face of China’s civil attacks and military threats, the people of Taiwan are calm and not aggressive, rational and not provocative,” she said.
“We will not be provocative, aggressive and we will definitely not yield under pressure,” she added
She reiterated a commitment to resolve differences with China through dialogue and by promoting orderly exchanges.
She said that at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, leaders emphasized the situation across the Taiwan Strait.
Prior to the summit, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated their “resolve to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” after they met on Thursday.
Citing Kishida’s recent comments, Tsai said the Taiwan issue has come under the spotlight in the international community and is a critical part of global peace.
As a result, Taiwan cannot look down on itself, but must take the responsibility to work with like-minded allies to push for regional peace, she said.
“Although Taiwan is at risk, it is never a risk maker, but a responsible risk controller,” Tsai added. “Taiwan will stand with all democratic countries in the international community to resolve the risks.”
She stressed the global importance of Taiwan’s supply chain, which produces most of the world’s advanced semiconductors.
Tsai said that even as firms such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) boost foreign investment, Taiwan would maintain its research-and-development capacity and advanced technology to ensure it maintains an edge.
Through forward-looking infrastructure projects and the promotion of the nation’s “six core strategic industries,” Taiwan has commanded an irreplaceable status in the global supply chain, she said, citing government data that indicated that new foreign investments exceeded NT$2 trillion (US$65.2 billion) in her seven years as president.
Tsai said she expects efforts to develop renewable energy in Taiwan to attract about NT$1 trillion in foreign investments by the end of this year under the government’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Regarding the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, the first phase of negotiations have concluded with the first agreement likely to be signed in the coming weeks, Tsai said.
The agreement is expected to serve as the most detailed trade pact between Taiwan and the US since 1979, and would turn a new page in the trade ties between Washington and Taipei, she said.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old