President Tsai pledges to build a better Taiwan

2022/10/12

President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 10 that the government is enhancing the country’s resilience to build a better Taiwan for the world.
 
Greater economic growth for Taiwan means more complete and resilient global supply chains, Tsai said, adding that a more secure Taiwan means a more peaceful and prosperous region and world; and a more democratic Taiwan means a stronger global democratic alliance.
 
Tsai made the remarks during the Republic of China (Taiwan) Double Tenth National Day address delivered in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
 
During her remaining term, the government will continue to uphold its four commitments, Tsai said, while enhancing resilience in four key areas— economy and industry, social safety nets, free and democratic government systems and national defense.
 
According to Tsai, Taiwan’s COVID-19 pandemic prevention has earned the country global recognition, while demonstrating its resilience to the world.
 
The post-pandemic world order is in a state of rapid change, Tsai said. Though Taiwan already holds a key position in the fields of semiconductors, information and communications technology hardware and software, the country needs to progress in other fields to ensure a strong future footing, she added.
 
Aside from economic developments, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China's military activity in the Indo-Pacific region pose a challenge to a free and democratic world order, Tsai said. Taiwan must stand up for its democracy and prepare prudently to respond to any possible contingency, she added.
 
Responding to a changing economic landscape as well as managing global industrial development, the foremost task is to build a resilient economy and an industry network that can both stand firm and adapt to changing international trends, Tsai said. The most pressing trends are global inflation and the resulting financial contraction, she added.
 
The government is working to stabilize the prices of water, electricity, oil, natural gas, staples and critical raw materials, while strengthening response mechanisms for financial market movements, Tsai said. Investment in next-generation infrastructure and personnel cultivation result from effective policies and spending to create more job opportunities and uphold the economic momentum, she added.
 
To strengthen the social safety net the government raised salaries, cut taxes, and increased benefits, putting into practice the commitment to care for disadvantaged groups, Tsai said. The government has continued to increase the country’s emergency response, rescue and healthcare capabilities, providing citizens with more comprehensive care and improving ability to address all potential health risks.
 
Apart from national governance issues, building democratic resilience is key to safeguarding Taiwan, Tsai said. The primary tasks in this regard include committing to a free and democratic system, improving transparency and the country’s ability to identify disinformation and deepen international cooperation with democratic allies, she added.
 
The government is determined to defend Taiwan through the country’s self-defense and investment in asymmetric warfare capabilities, Tsai said, adding that the country will work with allies to jointly maintain security and stability in the region.
 
Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are the basis for the development of cross-strait relations, Tsai said. The government looks forward to the gradual resumption of healthy and orderly cross-strait people-to-people exchanges after the loosening of border restrictions on both sides, she added.



Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)