Taiwanese will demonstrate to the world that their nation is capable of defending its sovereignty and ensure that the future of Taiwan will be decided by its people, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Vice President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday in pre-recorded remarks at the Global Taiwan National Affairs Symposium.
Organized by Taiwanese independence groups, the symposium was themed “Uphold Taiwanese sovereignty, promote Indo-Pacific alliances.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes to world affairs, the Russia-Ukraine war has shown that authoritarian states pose a threat to democracy, Tsai said, adding that many media reports have compared Taiwan to Ukraine.
Screen grab from YouTube
Taiwan is seeking to uphold its sovereignty, safeguard democracy and stand firm with nations that have similar values and ideals, she said, citing Taiwan’s assistance to Ukraine through donations and medical equipment as an example.
The solidarity of Taiwanese over the past few years has contributed to the development of Taiwan’s national defense industry and its overall economy, Tsai said, adding that only by growing stronger can Taiwan help others.
Increasingly more nations are speaking up for Taiwan and supporting its meaningful participation in international organizations, Tsai said.
“We have shown the world that we are resolved to defend ourselves, and that we can contribute to efforts to further freedom and democracy,” she said.
Lai called on the event for a moment of silence to honor late democracy pioneer Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) and to thank him for his contribution to furthering Taiwanese democracy.
Peng passed away at the age of 98 on Saturday last week. He and two of his students in 1964 published a manifesto, A Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation, in which he and his coauthors said that Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) dream of “retaking the mainland” is unattainable. The declaration advocated for a “one Taiwan, one China” policy, a new constitution, joining the UN as “Taiwan” and creating a free nation.
Lai said that over the past few years, Taiwan’s standing has improved, despite global challenges and Chinese oppression, and it has bolstered collaboration with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as with the US and the EU.
Many international summits calling for “stability in the Taiwan Strait” is a sign of success for Taiwan’s diplomacy, he said.
Taiwan-US ties have improved greatly, including through former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s statements of support for Taiwan, as well as a delegation sent by US President Joe Biden, which underscored the US’ interest in a stable Indo-Pacific region, the vice president said.
Taiwanese must stand united, and uphold sovereignty and democracy to ensure that only they decide their country’s future, Lai said.
Taiwan is also pursuing international collaboration on carbon emissions reduction, as the nation is doing its part to conserve the environment, he said.
Such endeavors would also make Taiwan stronger, Lai added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) yesterday said that the Chinese Communist Party was planning and implementing “major” reforms, ahead of a political conclave that is expected to put economic recovery high on the agenda. Chinese policymakers have struggled to reignite growth since late 2022, when restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted. The world’s second-largest economy is beset by a debt crisis in the property sector, persistently low consumption and high unemployment among young people. Policymakers “are planning and implementing major measures to further deepen reform in a comprehensive manner,” Xi said in a speech at the Great Hall
CIVIL DEFENSE: More reservists in alternative service would help establish a sound civil defense system for use in wartime and during natural disasters, Kuma Academy’s CEO said While a total of 120,000 reservists are expected to be called up for alternative reserve drills this year, compared with the 6,505 drilled last year, the number has been revised to 58,000 due to a postponed training date, Deputy Minster of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan (馬士元) said. In principle, the ministry still aims to call up 120,000 reservists for alternative reserve drills next year, he said, but the actual number would not be decided later until after this year’s evaluation. The increase follows a Legislative Yuan request that the Ministry of the Interior address low recruitment rates, which it made while reviewing
DETERRENCE: Along with US$500 million in military aid and up to US$2 billion in loans and loan guarantees, the bill would allocate US$400 million to countering PRC influence The US House of Representatives on Friday approved an appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 that includes US$500 million in military aid for Taiwan. The legislation, which authorizes funding for the US Department of State, US foreign operations and related programs for next year, passed 212-200 in the Republican-led House. The bill stipulates that the US would provide no less than US$500 million in foreign military financing for Taiwan to enhance deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and offer Taipei up to US$2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for the same purpose. The funding would be made available under the US’ Foreign Military
WARNING: China has stepped up harassment of foreign vessels after its new regulation took effect last month, an official said, citing an incident in the Diaoyutai Islands The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday linked China’s seizure of a Taiwanese fishing vessel illegally operating in its territorial waters to Beijing’s new regulation authorizing the China Coast Guard to seize boats in waters it claims. Chinese officials boarded and then seized a Taiwanese fishing vessel operating near China’s coast close to Kinmen County late on Tuesday and took it to a Chinese port, the CGA said. The Penghu-registered squid fishing vessel Da Jin Man No. 88 (大進滿88) was boarded and seized by China Coast Guard east-northeast of Liaoluo Bay (料羅灣), 17.5 nautical miles (32.4km) from Taiwan’s restricted waters off Kinmen,