President You, Vice President Tsai, esteemed members of the legislature:
It is an honor for me to be here at the invitation of the Legislative Yuan with members of the cabinet for the policy report and for interpellation in accordance with the Constitution.
I want to thank the Legislative Yuan for passing more than 60 bills in the last session to benefit the people and country, and for approving the extension of the implementation of the special budget as well as the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Prevention with Novel Pathogens through June 30, 2023, so that the government can prepare medical supplies and capabilities to continue to combat COVID-19, provide economic relief, and revitalize the economy.
Under the leadership of President Tsai Ing-wen, the administration has worked day and night and citizens have been united in recent years to deal with swine flu, the once-a-century pandemic, the US-China trade war, and a historic drought. Four referendums were passed peacefully, which will allow for the construction of major infrastructure and for measures that benefit the country and people to be rapidly implemented. At the same time, we have garnered unprecedented support from the international community, causing Taiwan’s international visibility to reach new heights and to forge closer economic and trade connections.
Taiwan achieved its best economic performance in 11 years in 2021. In early 2022, Taiwan continued to be recognized by world-renowned institutions in international rankings in the fields of anticorruption, democracy, and economic freedom. In April, the S&P Global Ratings raised Taiwan’s credit rating to AA+ for the first time in 21 years. In June, Taiwan rose to 7th in the IMD World Competitiveness Rankings, marking steady progress for four consecutive years and the highest ranking in nine years. Taiwan also came first among competitors with a population of over 20 million for the second year in a row.
As the coronavirus continues to mutate, the pandemic has recurred in many countries. The eruption and protraction of Russian-Ukraine war destabilize the global geopolitical order, affecting international supply and demand for energy and food, and further exacerbating inflation. China has increased its deliberate military threat to and incursions against Taiwan. It has continued with coercion and pressure in various areas, attempting to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty as well as regional peace and stability.
The international situation is in turmoil with daunting challenges at home and abroad. The administration has redoubled its efforts to consolidate Taiwan’s economic foundations in this turbulent era to increase national competitiveness, take good care of the citizenry, promote social stability, defend democracy and freedom, and enhance sustainable development to build Taiwan into an island of resilience.
A pamphlet concerning Executive Yuan policy has been sent to legislators. Your insights will be very much appreciated. Next, I would like to deliver my policy report, which focuses on the three themes of strengthening the economy, promoting people’s well-being, and safeguarding Taiwan
Strengthening the economy
During the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, we thank the people of Taiwan for having put their trust in the government and cooperating with each other, so that the government can strike a balance between antipandemic efforts and livelihoods and adjust antipandemic measures to move toward restoring normal daily life while conducting antipandemic efforts, and gradually opening up the nation’s borders.
In terms of vaccination, the government continues to encourage citizens of all ages to receive vaccination to increase protection. Currently, the first-dose vaccination rate has reached 93.5%, the second-dose 87.4%, and the third-dose 73%. The vaccination rate for those from 5-11 years old has reached 83.7%, much higher than that of the US, Japan, and other nations. Vaccines have been available for children aged six months to five years old starting from late July.
Taiwan ranks eighth in the world in terms of the number of vaccine doses administered per 100 people. Various vaccines for infants or adults are available and have high inventories. Some 1.6 million doses of Moderna next-generation bivalent COVID-19 vaccine out of the three million that the government procured have arrived and will be administered starting from September 24th. It is expected that the remainder will arrive at the end of September.
Our antipandemic policy will be adjusted to replace the PCR test with rapid antigen tests. Through requisition and imports, we want to ensure that there is sufficient supply. The government is distributing rapid tests to middle and low-income households, residents of caretaking institutions, disadvantaged groups such as homeless people and single seniors, children aged 0-6, and elementary school, junior high, and senior high school students aged 6-18. Since September, rapid tests will also be distributed to seniors older than 65 years old. Some 8.6 million people in total will benefit from this policy.
We have ample inventory of antiviral medication. Taiwan is the first country in Asia to have both Merck and Pfizer oral medications. Taiwan ranks highly in the world in terms of the rate of taking medication for confirmed cases, behind only the US, UK, Japan, and Korea.
We have high vaccination rate and rapid test kits and antiviral medication in stock. It has been some weeks since the opening of school at all levels and the end of the Autumn Festival holiday. Taiwan’s COVID-19 pandemic is now under control thanks to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). In addition, the number and percentage of inbound confirmed cases last month continues to drop.
Considering that countries around the world have relaxed or have announced that they will lift their antipandemic measures and open their borders, the government announced on September 22 that from September 29, near-term opening up measures will be implemented after a general assessment by the CECC in consultation with experts in the hopes of promoting economic and international exchanges. The “3+4” rule for quarantine will be replaced by “one person per room.” The saliva PCR test on arrival will be cancelled and visa exemptions will be reinstated. After a week of observation, if things go as expected and remain under control, we will implement the “0+7” program and the borders will be opened two weeks after an announcement is made.
It is hoped that the pandemic will end, citizens will return to normal life, and economic prosperity will be promoted. Taiwan can then welcome international tourists to enjoy Taiwan’s beauty.
Since President Tsai took office, she has committed to promoting the “5+2” Innovative Industries, the Six Core Strategic Industries, and investing in forward-looking infrastructure to strengthen infrastructure and better the investment environment. In response to the US-China trade conflict, the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan have been implemented. Over the past three-plus years, 1,250 businesses have been attracted with total investment exceeding NT$1.79 trillion.
To meet industrial demand for land, seven locations have been approved for new construction or expansion of science parks over past three years with a total size of more than 700 hectares. As industrial parks are upgraded to increase or renew industrial space, industrial zones are also being revitalized to be vertical to utilize idle land and increase the supply for businesses to strengthen the industrial cluster effect.
Regarding supply and demand for water and electricity, over the past five years, the government has invested more than NT$130 billion in water-related environmental construction through the forward-looking infrastructure fund. Through four major strategies of broadening sources of supply, saving on expenses, allocation, and preparedness, we are making the best use of each drop of water.
The Second Kaohsiung Cijin Harbor Pipeline was completed last month, the first of 17 planned backup and dispatch pipelines to be built islandwide. Two more such projects will be completed by the end of this year. The Desilting Tunnel Project of Shimen Reservoir, which took five years to complete, was opened for the first time during Typhoon Hinnamnorin early September. Within two hours, 200,000 cubic meters of silt were cleared, saving on transport costs, extending the life of reservoir, and increasing the refill capacity into reservoir to stabilize water resources for Taoyuan, New Taipei City, and Hsinchu.
To strengthen overall electrical grid resilience and security, the government will invest NT$560 billion over 10 years. Through three major projects of diversification, consolidation, and defense, we will improve national grid resilience in the case of sudden incidents and reduce the possibility of large-scale blackouts as we lay a solid foundation for the 2050 Net-Zero Transition.
In terms of cultivating and recruiting talents, 11 research institutes focus on specific industries to directly cultivate high-end talents that industry needs. The government had issued nearly 5,800 gold cards to foreign outstanding professionals as of the end of April 2022. Programs promoting the long-term retention of migrant workers are also in place. Outstanding and foreign skilled talents can work for Taiwan. The government has proposed the Program on Cultivating and Retaining Overseas Compatriot Students to attract more talented overseas compatriot students to live and work in Taiwan.
To promote a favorable economic and trade connection and positioning, Taiwan officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last September. I want to thank the legislature for your support and for passing amendments to the Copyright Act, Trademark Act, and Patent Act as part of regulatory preparations for Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP. The government continues to utilize bilateral, regional, and multilateral channels to seek the support of CPTPP members. Symbolizing a breakthrough in Taiwan-US economic and trade relations that is conducive to a better comprehensive, substantive, and long-term partnership, the Taiwan-U.S. Initiative for 21st-Century Trade was launched on August 18. We continue to apply to join the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and to discuss deep, broad, and comprehensive cooperation with the US based on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and other existing mechanisms.
Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office, the administration has promoted the New Southbound Policy and connections with related countries to promote regional mutual prosperity and reduce risks to our businesses. Last year, our export volume to the 18 concerned countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Australasia surged, with total trade volume setting a historic high. In the first half of this year, we imported US$40.9 billion from these 18 countries, amounting to 38.3% growth compared to the same period of last year. Exports reached nearly US$50 billion, or 28.5% growth compared with the same period of last year. Both numbers are historic highs.
Taiwan’s openness, transparency, democracy, rule of law, and anticorruption efforts, as well as its strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region and leading semiconductor industry, are tools we can lean to when forging reliable partnerships.
The government has seized the opportunity of the restructuring of global supply chain to promote trade and attract foreign businesses to cooperate with Taiwan’s businesses and invest in forward-looking high-tech fields. Nearly 30 multinational corporations have set up research and development centers in Taiwan and are gradually moving into southern Taiwan, having invested a total of around US$60 billion. Among these investments, the Google Data Center is the largest. The Microsoft AI Research and Development Center is the first in Asia. Micron’s high-end memory R&D center will ramp up production of the most advanced DRAM manufacturing technologies. The Automobile IC vendor NXP Semiconductors has also set up a global automobile new product test R&D center in Taiwan.
As these global top high-tech R&D centers are set up in Taiwan, they not only create high-quality jobs in different areas, they also bolter the autonomy and resilience of Taiwan’s industrial chain and form a “silicon shield” that increases national security. Technology is national power. Facing a need for digital and national security resilience, the government is pushing for restructuring government agencies. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been reorganized as the National Science and Technology Council, operating under that new name since July 27. The Council will coordinate with different government agencies to map out technology policy, support basic research, improve science parks, do scientific research, and encourage the founding of innovative start-ups to reposition Taiwan technologically.
In addition, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) was inaugurated on August 27. It integrates the five fields of telecommunication, information, cybersecurity, internet, and communication. In the future, it will work for digital resilience to ensure information and communication security nationwide and promote an industrial digital transition and realize the vision of having a digital country and a smart island.
Promoting people’s well-being
Through increased wages, tax cuts, and increased benefits, the government is ensuring that the fruits of economic growth reach all citizens. This year, the monthly basic wage (minimum wage) has been raised by the greatest amount in 15 years. Two weeks ago, on September 8, I approved the monthly basic wage (minimum wage) for next year to be raised to NT$26,400 and the hourly basic wage (minimum wage) to be raised to NT$176, benefiting approximately 2.3 million workers. Compared with 2016, the monthly basic wage (minimum wage) has been raised in total by nearly 32% and the hourly basic wage (minimum wage) by nearly 47%. In addition, the basic life expenses this year for each person will be raised to NT$196,000, benefiting approximately 2.3 million households. The change will apply for taxes filed next May. Since President Tsai took office, the monthly basic wage (minimum wage) has been raised for seven consecutive years and the basic living expenses for six consecutive years.
To reduce domestic inflation and stabilize prices, the government has adopted four waves of tariff reduction on critical raw materials since December of last year, including exemptions for the corporate tax on yellow beans, wheat, and corn; of tariffs on wheat, beef, butter, and milk powder for bakeries; and reductions of the merchant tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and concrete, equivalent to subsidies of over NT$2.8 billion on raw materials. According to the latest statistics released by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics, the CPI annual increase rate in August was 2.66%, the lowest in six months. It is expected that the rate for the second half of the year will also slow. However, to continue to combat high prices on bulk commodities and key raw materials and reduce the operating costs of domestic businesses to avoid price fluctuations that affect people’s livelihoods, I decided last week that the tax reduction measures would be extended to the end of December this year.
Considering the economic and financial situation at home and abroad and stabilizing domestic price, the Central Bank has raised the interest rate, which will increase the economic burden on those who have loans. The government will continue to maintain a partial loan interest rate subsidy to reduce the burden on certain people. In order to support the livelihoods of disadvantage groups, the government is providing low-income households an extra NT$750, and middle and low-income households NT$500, per month per household from March to December this year.
The government is expanding care for citizens of all ages, from infants to seniors, and from families to schools. To encourage younger people to get married and have children, the government has increased funding to address the low birth rate from NT$15 billion in 2016 to NT$80 billion this year, a figure that will exceed NT$100 billion next year.
To create an environment favorable to bearing and raising children, the government revised 15 regulations to increase the number of subsidies for pregnancy checkups, pregnancy checkup leave, length for pregnancy checkup accompaniment leave, and parental leave without pay. In addition, application for parental leave without pay has been made more flexible. Subsidies for infertility treatment were also increased. Compared with 2020, when were only 19 applicants that reeved subsidies, from July of last year through the present, more than 32,300 received subsidies, and 4,600 babies have been born. It is expected that by the end of this year, nearly 10,000 babies will be born.
The monthly childcare allowance for children under the age of two was increased from NT$2,500 to NT$3,500 in August last year and further increased to NT$5,000 in August this year. That figure rises to NT$6,000 for the second child and NT$7,000 for the third child per month. The nursery allowance is to be raised to NT$8,500 per month. It costs NT$3,000 for a public or quasi-public nursery school. The number of affordable nursery and childminders has increased to 560,000, threefold that in 2016. In order to reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, the government does its best to promote three major new policies on campus to be fully realized this year.
More than NT$32 billion has been spent to equip classrooms with air conditioners over a period of 18 months, completing a project that went unrealized for decades. At the end of April this year, more than 3,500 schools had been equipped with 184,000 air conditioners. Now, in both urban and rural areas, schoolchildren can study in a comfortable environment.
The program of setting up central kitchens to prepare freshly cooked lunches for rural schools went online this month. The government has expanded or constructed 123 central kitchens that can jointly procure ingredients. We have increased funding to purchase products bearing the Taiwan Organic, Certified Agricultural Standards (CAS), Traceable Agricultural Products (TAP), and QR Code for traceability symbols from NT$3.5 per meal per person in 2020 to between NT$10 and NT$14 in rural areas starting from May this year. As a result, 240,000 schoolchildren at more than 1,300 rural schools will enjoy a higher-quality diet.
To catch up with the digital learning trend, the government has spent more than NT$35 billion on a project to bring the internet to every classroom and a computer to every student. More than 60,000 smart learning classrooms have been created that provide each student with an iPad starting from this semester. Classrooms without borders have affected the youngest generation and learning modes. It is hoped that teachers will prepare more a diversified syllabus for their classes.
Since Long-term Care 2.0 was launched more than five years ago, the budget has slowly increased from less than US$5 billion in 2016 to more than NT$60 billion this year and will be nearly NT$65 billion next year. Service centers have increased significantly from 700 to more than 11,000. Staffing at these location shas increased from 25,000 to more than 90,000, and the number of service recipients has increased from 100,000 people to more than 410,000. To address the issue of an aging society, we proposed the Program Responding to a Super-Aging Society. It is expected that more than NT$120 billion will be spent over four years on innovative ways to promote the healthcare insurance hospitalization integration program and to set up a national super-aging medical and health welfare research center.
To help citizens buy housing at an affordable price, the government is promoting social housing as well as subleasing and management policies. Currently, more than 11,000 households benefit from such programs. Rent subsidy recipients have increased from 60,000 households in 2019 to 120,000 last year. In July this year, the largest housing rent subsidy program in history, amounting to NT$30 billion, was launched to help more people and increase subsidies for four major groups, simplifying the application process for some 500,000 households.
The government has improved the welfare of farmers and fishermen in recent years through the Farmers Health Insurance, Farmers Occupational Disaster Insurance, Agriculture Insurance, and the Farmers Retirement Pension. The Paddy Rice Income Insurance scheme began the first phase during the paddy rice harvest this year, providing 210,000 households with basic income and benefits. Some NT$40 billion has been approved to promote the second phase of the Green Environment Payment Project and promote agricultural restructuring to ensure food security.
Starting this year, the government will invest NT$9.2 billion over four years on the Program of Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Modernization. This will increase planting and harvest efficiency and food sanitation and safety. By promoting a national cold chain program, we will integrate production, manufacturing, storage, and marketing to increase agricultural competitiveness and farmers’ incomes.
On May 1, the Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection scheme, which combines occupational accident prevention, compensation, and rehabilitation, was launched. Workers are covered under the insurance on their first day of work. Protection and rehabilitation in the case of occupational accidents have thus been made more comprehensive.
To eliminate sexual violence, the Stalking and Harassment Prevention Act came into force on June 1. The law allows law enforcement to intervene at an early stage to prevent violence and protect victims. The Executive Yuan also proposed four amendments to bills related to the prevention of and protection of victims of sexual violence crime in March this year, which have been sent to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Your speedy review and passage of these amendments will be very much appreciated.
During the Chishang Earthquake on September 18, the Central Emergency Operation Center went into action at 4 p.m. the same day. I visited the center and instructed all government agencies to help with rescue and assistance. President Tsai visited the center at 8 p.m. to follow up with the updated situation. On September 19, President Tsai and I, along with the heads of relevant government agencies, traveled to the affected areas to comfort the injured and to thank search and rescue workers.
It was fortunate that no major casualties were reported during this earthquake despite some damage. Emergency disaster relief and road repair are now halted while the government has begun the work of reconstruction. Several railway sections suffered damage. Three railway bridges were shifted, while abutments were lifted. This means that 12 stations between Hualien and Taitung, covering some 150.8 kilometers, were affected. Shuttle buses are now working extra shifts while regular buses have also been increased to reduce travelers’ wait times. Reconstruction of the New Xiugulan River Bridge Station will proceed apace while still ensuring passenger safety. We expect to complete all repairs by the end of this month except for 18.8 kilometers between Yuli and Fuli, where shuttle bus service will continue. As concerns bridges, assessments will be made for damaged bridges such as Kaoliao Bridge and Luntien Bridge in Hualien and Baohua Bridge in Taitung to help local governments complete reconstruction as soon as possible. As for the loss of granary barns in Hualien and Taitung, preferential subsidies and low-interest loans will be provided to ensure that paddy rice farmers collect their harvest.
The Executive Yuan has announced items being provided for assistance following the earthquake. These include living stipends, financial subsidies, housing rent subsidies, building reinforcement subsides, and tax exemptions. The government will take the initiative to assist affected victims with their needs.
Since the Tsai administration took office, the government has spent nearly NT$53 billion on campus building reinforcement and earthquake-proofing work. More than 4,200 campus dormitories have been demolished and reconstructed with earthquake-proof reinforcements. More than NT$26 billion has been spent on local earthquake-proof or reinforced bridges and the central government has assisted county and city governments in phasing out and rebuilding old bridges. More than 300 bridges have been reconstructed. This helped to minimize damage during this recent earthquake.
Safeguarding Taiwan
Taiwan is an important force of good in the international community. It is also a key part of the international security network. As late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once said: “A Taiwan emergency is an emergency for Japan and also for the Japan-US alliance.” Security across the Taiwan Strait is the greatest factor affecting regional peace and prosperity. From the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we remind ourselves that defending our country is our own responsibility. Only those who help themselves can expect help from others.
Facing China’s continuing political coercion, repeat unannounced bans on the import of Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery products, recent naval and air military activities around Taiwan, launch of missiles across Taiwan’s airspace, and an intensive incursion of drones, Taiwan does not deliberately provoke—but neither do we fear–war. We will do our best to strengthen our self-defense capabilities. The budget for national defense for next year is NT$580 billion, a historic high, showing our determination to defend national sovereignty and ensure national security.
In terms of fighters and submarines, six indigenous advanced “Brave Eagle” jet trainers have been delivered. The jet is now in mass production, which will help with our flight training capability. The Navy’s first 10,000-ton Yushan-class amphibious transport dock equipped with antiship missiles will be delivered at the end of September. Four fast mine-laying boats have been delivered and our first highly efficient warship, the Ta Chiang, which possesses both air and sea defense capabilities, came into service last year. Five more vessels of this class will be delivered next year.
In addition to tapping the indigenous defense industry, our military continues to grow stronger though procuring arms from the US. We have procured 66 F-16V C/D Block 70 jet fighters as an upgrade to the 141 F-16 A/B Block 20, MQ-9B drones, and other precision combat systems, such as AIM-9 Sidewinder Harpoon antiship missiles. We are grateful to the US for approving six rounds of arms sales to help us upgrade our overall national defense capabilities since the Biden administration took office.
The All-out Defense Mobilization Agency under the Ministry of Defense was established in January this year. A program for 14-day reservist training was launched in the first quarter. The army has continued to expand the reserve brigade to improve reservist training. A budget has been allocated for next year to procure equipment for reservists.
Taiwan’s insistence on freedom, democracy, and human rights and its irreplaceable role in international supply chains have attracted increasing international attention. A growing number of countries and international organizations have shown staunch support of Taiwan through concrete actions.
The Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania opened in November 2021, the first office in Europe to have “Taiwan” in the name. The Lithuania Representative Office in Taiwan began operating just this month.
The Progress Report on the Implementation of Federal Government Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific adopted by the German government on September 14 mentions Taiwan for the first time and shows concern for peace and security across Taiwan Strait, taking a clear position on opposing a nonpeaceful change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The following day, members of the European Parliament from different party groups overwhelmingly passed a resolution concerning the situation in Taiwan Strait. In the text, they strongly condemned China’s irresponsible military provocations and attempts at a unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait as well as threats to use force. It underscored that a democratic way of life should be the decision of the people of Taiwan, stating that Europe and Taiwan would continue to strengthen parliamentary exchanges and mutual visits. This was the 21st resolution passed by the European Parliament since last year. The report also provided recommendations for strengthening Taiwan-EU relations, including deepening institutional economic, trade, cultural, and political cooperation. It further encouraged European Union member states that have not yet established representative offices in Taiwan to follow the example set by Lithuania after the first Taiwan-EU Political Relations and Cooperation Report was adopted with overwhelming support in October 2021.
In June this year, the Japanese government passed the Economic and Financial Management and Reform Guidelines which mentioned Taiwan for first time and underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In August, at a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers, the foreign ministers of the US, Australia, and Japan issued a joint statement that expressed grave concern about China’s aggressive determination to undermine the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The signatories reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan stands with many nations in upholding the universal values of democracy and freedom and hopes that the international community will understand Taiwan’s situation correctly so that democratic Taiwan will garner even greater international support.
This year, the US, Japan, France, Sweden, Slovakia, and the European Parliament have all sent heavyweight delegations to Taiwan. Of these, the French Parliament has sent four delegations over the past year. The US Congress, meanwhile, has sent 39 members of Congress in nine delegations. Vice President of the European Parliament Nicola Beer, who visited Taiwan in July, is the highest-ranking official from the European Parliament to have visited Taiwan. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August, becoming the second-highest ranking US political figure to visit Taiwan in history, and marked the first time that a sitting US House Speaker had visited Taiwan in 25 years.
Democracy is Taiwan’s strength. Human rights are the shared language of the world. Taiwan has experienced numerous tough twists and turns moving from authoritarian government to democracy. The government will face problems honestly, find the truth, and reflect on the past to promote transitional justice in the hope of helping Taiwan move forward and to promote social unity and harmony.
On May 30, the Transitional Justice Commission summitted a report entailing efforts and practices concerning transitional justice that have been made over the past four years. This commission is being dismantled, but a new human rights and transitional justice department under the Executive Yuan will take over to coordinate and promote relevant work. This will allow a seamless transition that helps Taiwan’s democracy consolidate further.
Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, the government has taken the initiative to realize our international human rights obligations. Among the nine human rights conventions, five have been made part of domestic law through the formulation of implementation regulations. A national report for each of the covenants reviewed by foreign experts and scholars is regularly drafted and published. The five for which a national report is prepared are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Convention on the Rights of the Child; and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The Executive Yuan passed the first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights two years ago. This past May, the first Action Plan for Fishery and Human Rights and National Human Rights Action Plan were adopted. Based on the nine human rights conventions and with the National Human Rights Action Plan as a guide, the government is promoting various action plans to provide better protection.
A resilient Taiwan moves forward together
“Taiwan has been an island of resilience in the world. Indeed, the people of Taiwan have proven to the world that, with hope, courage, and determination, it is possible to build a peaceful and prosperous future.” So said US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Taiwan.
Taiwan is full of vitality, democratic resilience, and resolution, and is dauntless of acts by authoritarian regimes. As the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy, these are the reasons why Taiwan attracts global attention. Taiwan is our home. We not only hope for its continued existence, but also for a better, stable, and permanent existence. There is no perfect government. The administrative team I lead is doing its best to grasp this golden opportunity to do things correctly and well, to make our country more resilient and our people better off, and to help the country grow in international stature.
Facing a changing world, we will continue to do our best to strengthen our self-defense capabilities, uphold democracy and human rights, and defend our free way of life. We will continue to expand our connections to the world through deeper cooperation and exchanges with our global democratic partners based on reciprocity and mutual assistance. This will help Taiwan continue to shine and play a critical role in the world.
Your insights and support will be very much appreciated. I hope our fellow citizens will be united in the effort to strengthen the nation. May God bless Taiwan. Thank you!