President William Lai (賴清德) made repeated calls for cross-strait peace in his inaugural address on Monday, including a direct appeal to Beijing to resume tourism and student exchange.
Fresh from being sworn in at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai in his speech set the tenor of his coming four years in office with an emphasis on peace and domestic unity.
“The future of cross-strait relations will have a decisive impact on the world. This means that we, who have inherited a democratic Taiwan, are pilots for peace,” he said.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
While calling on Beijing to cease its intimidation and thanking the world for its support, Lai proposed his “Four Pillars of Peace” in dealing with the Chinese threat.
The action plan involves strengthening national defense, improving economic security, stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and values-based diplomacy, Lai said.
“Peace is the only option. And prosperity, gained through lasting peace and stability, is our objective,” he said in the speech that mentioned “peace” 23 times.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Urging Beijing to face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence, Lai suggested starting from the resumption of reciprocal cross-strait tourism and enrollment of degree students in Taiwan.
Beijing in 2019 halted individual travel to Taiwan, followed by a full suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It last year unilaterally opened to travelers from Taiwan, resulting in calls for proper reciprocal dialogue from Taipei as a prerequisite to resuming tourism.
To open his speech, Lai recalled his former career as a physician.
“When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I went into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. Now, standing here, I am determined to strengthen the nation,” he said.
He quickly addressed the results of the election, which left his ruling Democratic Progressive Party with an unprecedented third consecutive term, but no party with a majority in the legislature.
“I want to say to everyone that this new structure is a result of the people’s choice,” he said. “Looking at it with a different frame of mind, a lack of absolute majority means that the ruling and opposition parties are now all able to share their ideas, and that we will be undertaking the nation’s challenges as one.”
Lai urged the parties to meet the people’s “high expectations for rational governance” and put national interests ahead of party interests, proposing legislation “that conforms with our Constitution.”
The appeal comes days after dramatic scenes in the legislature on Friday that resulted in five lawmakers being taken to a hospital. The brawls erupted over legislative reform bills proposed by the opposition that would enable greater oversight of the Executive Yuan, including a proposal to criminalize officials who are deemed to make false statements in the legislature.
In regards to industrial development, Lai emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and Taiwan’s key role as a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse, as well as the goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“As we meet the global challenges of adopting more and more smart technologies, we in Taiwan, a ‘silicon island,’ must do all we can to expedite Taiwan’s transformation into an ‘AI island,’” he said, calling for the widespread adoption of AI to strengthen the nation, military, workforce and economy.
The new president named “Five Trusted Industry Sectors” to be the focus of development: semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications.
He also announced his “National Project of Hope,” a sweeping policy aimed at providing government support to people in all stages of life.
The project would continue the caregiving, housing, social and reform services of the previous administration, while addressing cost of living issues, the wealth gap and low pay, among other domestic issues of concern, Lai said.
“I understand the concerns and expectations of the people of Taiwan. As to the issues you are concerned with and the reform society needs, the government will do its utmost to achieve solutions,” he said.
He concluded by acknowledging the new residents who have made Taiwan their home, as well as the foreign guests in attendance.
“Some call this land the Republic of China, some call it the Republic of China Taiwan, and some, Taiwan, but whichever of these names we ourselves or our international friends choose to call our nation, we will resonate and shine all the same,” he said. “So let us overcome our differences and stride forward, with our shared aspirations, to meet the world.”
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