Cross-strait security and reinforcing the nation’s position in the global supply chain are key priorities for her final year in office, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
“It’s the global consensus that the Taiwan Strait issue must be resolved peacefully,” Tsai told a news conference marking the seventh anniversary of her presidency at the Presidential Office in Taipei, adding that peace was the only option for Taiwan in terms of ties with China.
China has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai took office in May 2016.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
The president has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.
“War is not an option. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo with non-peaceful means,” Tsai said. “Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus for both the world and Taiwan.”
“In the face of China’s civil attacks and military threats, the people of Taiwan are calm and not aggressive, rational and not provocative,” she said.
“We will not be provocative, aggressive and we will definitely not yield under pressure,” she added
She reiterated a commitment to resolve differences with China through dialogue and by promoting orderly exchanges.
She said that at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, leaders emphasized the situation across the Taiwan Strait.
Prior to the summit, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated their “resolve to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” after they met on Thursday.
Citing Kishida’s recent comments, Tsai said the Taiwan issue has come under the spotlight in the international community and is a critical part of global peace.
As a result, Taiwan cannot look down on itself, but must take the responsibility to work with like-minded allies to push for regional peace, she said.
“Although Taiwan is at risk, it is never a risk maker, but a responsible risk controller,” Tsai added. “Taiwan will stand with all democratic countries in the international community to resolve the risks.”
She stressed the global importance of Taiwan’s supply chain, which produces most of the world’s advanced semiconductors.
Tsai said that even as firms such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) boost foreign investment, Taiwan would maintain its research-and-development capacity and advanced technology to ensure it maintains an edge.
Through forward-looking infrastructure projects and the promotion of the nation’s “six core strategic industries,” Taiwan has commanded an irreplaceable status in the global supply chain, she said, citing government data that indicated that new foreign investments exceeded NT$2 trillion (US$65.2 billion) in her seven years as president.
Tsai said she expects efforts to develop renewable energy in Taiwan to attract about NT$1 trillion in foreign investments by the end of this year under the government’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Regarding the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, the first phase of negotiations have concluded with the first agreement likely to be signed in the coming weeks, Tsai said.
The agreement is expected to serve as the most detailed trade pact between Taiwan and the US since 1979, and would turn a new page in the trade ties between Washington and Taipei, she said.
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