President William Lai (賴清德) delivered his New Year’s address this morning at the Presidential Office, focusing on upholding democracy, safeguarding national security and bolstering economic resilience while also touching on political disputes in the legislature.
Regardless of any threats or challenges Taiwan faces, “we must keep firm on the path of democracy,” Lai said.
“Domestic political disputes must be solved democratically,” Lai said regarding recent wrangling between the ruling and opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
“The Executive Yuan has the right to request a reconsideration of controversial bills passed in the Legislative Yuan,” Lai said.
“Constitutional institutions can also lodge a petition for a constitutional interpretation, and through Constitutional Court adjudication, ensure a separation of powers, safeguard constitutional order and gradually consolidate the constitutional system,” he added.
Lai emphasized that “the people have the right of election, recall and referendum,” as democracy means “sovereignty in the hands of the people.”
He asked that the ruling and opposition parties reconsider amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures (財政收支劃分法), as the central government needs adequate resources to promote the nation’s well-being.
On national security, Lai said that peace in the Taiwan Strait is essential for global security.
“The more secure Taiwan, the more secure the world. The more resilient Taiwan, the sounder the defense of global democracy,” Lai said.
Taiwan “must continue increasing our national defense budget, bolster our national defense capabilities and show our determination to protect our country,” he said.
The nation must form a “whole-of-society defense resilience” in response to major threats, as well as information and cognitive warfare, he added.
In addition to defense resilience, Taiwan must continue enhancing its economic resilience by diversifying its markets, Lai said.
Taiwan is accomplishing this by increasing investment in the US, Japan, Europe and New Southbound Policy countries, he said.
Taiwan must also “link with democratic countries so that we can together enhance the resilience of supply chains for global democracies,” Lai said.
Lai spoke of working toward a “Balanced Taiwan,” ensuring that the fruits of Taiwan’s economic growth can be enjoyed by all.
“Our nation belongs to all 23 million of us, without regard for ethnic group, generation, political party, or whether we live in urban or rural areas,” Lai said.
Taiwan has endured earthquakes and typhoons, challenges posed by authoritarianism and even won the Premier12 baseball championship, Lai said, reflecting on the previous year.
Lai spoke of Taiwan’s gold medal wins at the Paris Olympics and the International Junior Science Olympiad, emphasizing that through all the ups and downs, “we are all members of Team Taiwan.”
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