立法院韓國瑜院長於本（2月19）日上午在國民黨徐巧芯委員、民進黨王定宇委員及國際事務處林晨富處長等人陪同下，接見美國白宮前副國安顧問博明（Matthew Pottinger）一行2人，外交部北美司張嘉政總領事等人亦隨行陪同。
On the morning of February 19, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-Hsin, DPP Legislator Wang Ting-Yu, and Department of International Affairs Director Kevin C.F. Lin, met with a two-member delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. The meeting was also attended by Consul General Chang Chia-Cheng of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of North American Affairs and other accompanying officials.
韓院長首先向訪賓表達誠摯歡迎，繼盛讚博明先生的著作《沸騰的護城河：保衛台灣的緊迫行動》（The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan）去（2024）年發行英文版廣獲各界好評，明（2月20）日即將發表中文版，勢將引起更大回響，透過此書能讓全球更多人關注到台灣，他感謝博明先生對台灣長期以來的支持與友誼。韓院長續表示，最近德國慕尼黑安全會議、美俄會談、歐洲加強對烏克蘭軍援及西方媒體報導「今日烏克蘭，明日台灣」等國際事件，廣受各界矚目，台灣身為國際社會的一份子，也非常關心國際及區域情勢和變化，因為這些與台灣的命運息息相關。韓院長引喻稱，政治領袖可以扮演牧師的角色，引導迷茫的人民走向清醒，期盼博明先生的新書，能讓現今混沌迷茫的國際社會找到更清楚的方向，喚起更多人對台灣安全的重視。
President Han first extended a warm welcome to the guests and went on to commend Mr. Pottinger’s book, The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, which was published in English last year (2024) to widespread acclaim. With the Mandarin edition set to be released the next day (February 20), the book is expected to generate even greater interest and further raise global awareness of Taiwan. President Han expressed his gratitude to Mr. Pottinger for his longstanding support and friendship toward Taiwan. President Han further stated that recent international events, including the Munich Security Conference, US-Russia talks, Europe’s increased military aid to Ukraine, and Western media reports referencing “Ukraine Today, Taiwan Tomorrow,” have garnered significant global attention. As a member of the international community, Taiwan is deeply concerned about global and regional developments, as these issues are closely linked to Taiwan’s own future. President Han metaphorically stated that political leaders can play a role akin to a pastor, guiding the lost toward clarity. He expressed hope that Mr. Pottinger’s new book would help the currently uncertain and turbulent international community find a clearer direction and raise greater awareness of Taiwan’s security.
博明先生首先感謝韓院長及委員撥冗接待，他表示自己與蒙哥馬利（Mark Montgomery）資深主任都是台灣的長期友人，希望烏克蘭戰爭這樣的憾事不要發生在台灣，最好的方法就是發揮嚇阻的力量。他強調，只要台灣與其他民主國家攜手合作，組成聯合陣線，即可嚇阻北京獨裁政權使用戰爭與脅迫的手段對台施壓，他們此行旨在深入瞭解台灣有那些需要協助之處，並盼持續強化台美合作。他續謂，台灣近日因114年中央政府總預算案而有所紛擾，雖然意見不同是民主的一部分，但可能導致美國新政府團隊出現「疑台論」，而產生負面看法。他以英國前首相邱吉爾（Winston Churchill）名言「民主是最糟糕的政治制度」(Democracy is the worst form of government)為例表示，民主制度或許不甚完美，但也找不到比這更好的制度，因此需要有效溝通與協調才能找出問題解決之道。
Mr. Pottinger first expressed his gratitude to President Han and the legislators for taking the time to meet with him. He stated that both he and Senior Director Mark Montgomery have been longtime friends of Taiwan and emphasized that they hope to prevent a tragedy like the war in Ukraine from occurring in Taiwan. The best way to achieve this, he said, is through strong deterrence. He emphasized that as long as Taiwan works together with other democratic nations to form a united front, it can deter Beijing’s authoritarian regime from using war and coercion to pressure Taiwan. He stated that the purpose of their visit is to gain a deeper understanding of the areas where Taiwan may need assistance and to further strengthen Taiwan-US cooperation. He further stated that the recent disputes in Taiwan over the 2025 central government budget have drawn attention. While differing opinions are a natural part of democracy, they could lead the new U.S. administration to develop a “Taiwan skepticism” narrative, resulting in negative perceptions. He cited former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “Democracy is the worst form of government,” to illustrate that while democracy may not be perfect, there is no better system. Therefore, he emphasized the need for effective communication and coordination to find solutions to challenges.
雙邊交流時，徐巧芯委員表示本屆立法院因三黨不過半，導致許多議題討論激烈，需經過協商來解決，而國人相當重視的提升台灣自我防衛議題，可透過增加軍購預算來展現嚇阻作用。針對美方「疑台論」，她說明今(114)年國防部預算刪減比例為近5年來最低，三個政黨均希望台灣有自我保護的能力，亦盼與美國或其他國家能有更緊密的軍事合作。徐委員也分享台灣幾十年來發展晶片產業的經驗與成果，並期盼與美國加強在AI科技、無人機等重要產業的合作。她亦提及國民黨團計劃於本(第11屆第3)會期提出核電相關法案，並支持挹注更多預算於國防與外交，以確保台海安全，最後祝福博明先生的新書發表順利。
During the bilateral exchange, Legislator Hsu Chiao-Hsin noted that since no single party holds a majority in the current Legislative Yuan, many issues have sparked intense debate and require negotiations to reach resolutions. She emphasized that the issue of strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense, which is of great concern to the public, can be addressed by increasing the defense procurement budget to enhance deterrence. Regarding the issue of “Taiwan skepticism” in the U.S., she explained that the reduction in the Ministry of National Defense’s budget this year (2025) is the lowest in the past five years. She emphasized that all three political parties share the goal of ensuring Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and hope to strengthen military cooperation with the United States and other countries. Legislator Hsu also shared Taiwan’s decades of experience and achievements in developing the semiconductor industry. She expressed hope for strengthened cooperation with the United States in key industries such as AI technology and unmanned aerial vehicles. She also mentioned that the KMT caucus plans to propose nuclear energy-related legislation during the current session (11th Legislative Yuan, 3rd session). Additionally, she expressed support for allocating more funding to national defense and foreign affairs to ensure security in the Taiwan Strait. She concluded by extending her best wishes for the successful release of Mr. Pottinger’s new book.
王定宇委員歡迎兩位訪賓到訪及對台灣的堅定支持。針對核電議題，他說明台灣是天然資源十分有限的島嶼國家，拓展核電也需同時考量核廢料處理問題，盼能與美國加強交流及技術合作，來解決可能出現的缺電問題。王委員繼謂，台灣非常希望強化自我防衛能力，但也期盼各國充分瞭解台灣戰略位置及在全球供應鏈的重要性，才能讓更多人關注及協助台灣，而幫助台灣就是幫助全世界。他另強調，台灣需要借助國際的力量如美國，清楚傳達訊息給北京當局，讓北京瞭解實際的國際情勢，避免採取對台冒進舉動。對於「疑台論」他表示遺憾，但感謝韓院長及徐委員澄清有關今年度國防預算遭立法院刪減或凍結的疑慮。他最後提到台積電在美設廠，強化台美間高科技產業合作，足以說明美國是台灣最大且非常重視的合作夥伴。
Legislator Wang Ting-Yu welcomed the two guests and expressed appreciation for their steadfast support for Taiwan. Regarding the issue of nuclear energy, he explained that Taiwan, as an island nation with very limited natural resources, must also consider nuclear waste disposal when expanding nuclear power. He expressed hope for enhanced exchanges and technological cooperation with the United States to address potential power shortages. Legislator Wang further stated that while Taiwan is committed to strengthening its self-defense capabilities, it also hopes that countries will fully recognize Taiwan’s strategic position and its crucial role in the global supply chain. This awareness, he emphasized, would encourage greater international attention and support for Taiwan, as helping Taiwan ultimately means helping the world. He further emphasized that Taiwan needs to leverage international support, particularly from the United States, to clearly convey messages to Beijing. This would help Beijing understand the real international situation and deter it from taking reckless actions against Taiwan. Regarding the issue of "Taiwan skepticism," he expressed regret but thanked President Han and Legislator Hsu for clarifying concerns about the Legislative Yuan's reductions or freezes in this year's national defense budget. He concluded by mentioning TSMC’s establishment of manufacturing facilities in the United States, which strengthens high-tech industry cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. This, he stated, clearly demonstrates that the U.S. is Taiwan’s most significant and highly valued partner.
雙方嗣就深化台美合作、台海安全、增加軍購及國防預算、核電法案、半導體及無人機產業發展等議題廣泛交換意見。最後，韓院長偕出席委員與訪賓合影並互贈紀念品，博明先生特別致贈韓院長親筆簽名新書乙冊。此次會晤氣氛坦誠熱絡，歷約70分鐘圓滿結束。
Both sides engaged in extensive discussions on deepening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, security in the Taiwan Strait, increasing defense procurement and the national defense budget, nuclear energy legislation, as well as the development of the semiconductor and unmanned aerial vehicle industries. Finally, President Han, along with the attending legislators, took a group photo with the guests and exchanged commemorative gifts. Mr. Pottinger presented President Han with a personally signed copy of his new book. The meeting was conducted in a candid and cordial atmosphere, lasting approximately 70 minutes and concluding successfully.
