President William Lai (賴清德) in his inaugural speech yesterday called on Beijing to acknowledge Taiwan’s government and engage in dialogue with Taipei, saying that both sides are responsible for promoting peace in the Taiwan Strait.
“I hope that China will face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence” and “in good faith ... engage in cooperation with the legal government chosen by Taiwan’s people,” Lai said in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei.
Lai reaffirmed that his government would adhere to former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) policy toward China and work to maintain the “status quo.”
Photo: CNA
Lai advocated for dialogue based on the principles of equality and dignity, as well as exchanges between the two sides, and called on Beijing to cease political and military intimidation against Taiwan, to take on the joint responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability, and to “ensure the world is free from the fear of war.”
“I have always believed that if the leader of a country puts the people’s welfare above all, then peace in the Taiwan Strait, mutual benefits and prosperous coexistence would be common goals,” he added.
He said that the two sides should start with “the resumption of tourism on a reciprocal basis, and enrollment of degree students in Taiwanese institutions.”
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
Individual tourists from Taiwan and China can visit each other, but group travel remains restricted by both governments. Beijing in 2020 banned Chinese students from pursuing degree studies in Taiwan, permitting only exchange programs, summer camps and other short-term education activities.
“As we pursue the ideal of peace, we must not harbor any delusions,” Lai said, adding that Taiwanese should be clear about China’s refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan and its ambition to annex the nation.
Taiwan must show determination to defend itself while cooperating with other democracies, he said, adding that with international partners, “we can form a peaceful global community that can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and prevent war, achieving our goal of peace through strength.”
Photo: An Rong Xu, Bloomberg
“Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan. Taiwan is not just opening a door to the world — Taiwan is already on the world’s center stage,” Lai said.
He said that the interests of the people come before the interests of parties in a democratic society.
Lai also highlighted the importance of unity in the face of global challenges.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei News Photographer Association
“For our nation to endure and progress, I will bring us together through the strength of democracy, for greater solidarity and a stronger nation,” he said.
“We have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty. Right in the first chapter of our Constitution, it says that ‘The sovereignty of the Republic of China shall reside in the whole body of citizens,’ and that ‘Persons possessing the nationality of the Republic of China shall be citizens of the Republic of China.’ These two articles tell us clearly: The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other,” he said.
“So long as we identify with Taiwan, Taiwan belongs to us all — all of the peoples of Taiwan, regardless of ethnicity, irrespective of when we arrived. 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 added.
Photo: screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page
The nation’s future is inevitably linked to the future of the world, not only because of its geopolitical importance, but also its critical role in the semiconductor industry, he said.
Lai mapped out the objectives of Taiwan’s development, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, expediting its transformation into an artificial intelligence nation, investing in advanced technologies, and further promoting its space and maritime industries.
The government would also help domestic enterprises expand their presence and market internationally by engaging in regional economic integration and seeking trade and investment agreements, he said.
Photo: screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page
By launching the National Project of Hope, Lai promised to expand childcare, long-term care and social housing services, and address the price of commodities and housing, and the wealth gap.
The government would crack down on corruption and organized crime, guns, drugs and fraud, and continue to pursue reforms in education, the judicial system and transitional justice, he said.
“Labor insurance will not fail under our government,” he said, adding that he would strive to create a better wage environment.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Regarding domestic politics, he called on the different parties to work together in tackling challenges in a Legislative Yuan where no party has an absolute majority for the first time in 16 years.
After the inauguration, Lai met with a delegation from the US yesterday afternoon, saying he hoped that Washington would continue to support bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, economy and trade, and science and technology.
In a meeting with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association President Tanizaki Yasuaki, Lai thanked Japan for supporting Taiwan’s international participation, adding that Taipei would cooperate with like-minded countries to strengthen democratic resilience and achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Photo: screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page
In a separate meeting, Lai thanked Akie Abe, the wife of late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, for her contributions to deepening ties and promoting cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
Taiwan hopes to continue working with Japan to safeguard regional peace and stability, allowing the “cycle of kindness” between the two sides to become a model for the international community, he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
Photo: CNA
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