2022國慶演說 〈給世界一個更好的臺灣—堅韌之島 韌性國家〉"Island of Resilience: A Better Taiwan for the World." 蔡英文總統 20221010

【縛雞之論】英文拷到 G／D 找中文翻譯
Although exercising the governing power over Taiwan for over seven decades, this government, or the Government of the Republic of China (GRC) more specific, is reluctant to describe itself with the term Taiwan.  It is confusing, if not reluctant, for the GRC to define the connection between itself and the territory it governs.  She utilizes the ambiguous term "relocate," suggesting "moving from one place to another" but does not specify the nature of the moving of the governing entity to define its rule over Taiwan.
Despite the billboard outside the Presidential Hall clearly stating "the 2022 Taiwan National Day," President Tsai continues to use the term "the Republic of China (Taiwan)," which she first introduced in a similar speech last year.  However, she also adds the verb "relocate" to the former in connection with the latter. 
President Tsai stresses the term “resilience” as she has done in a couple of years; however, she focuses on the aspect of “responding to” the change s but ignores that of “recovery from” the devastating damages.  And that is the critical situation Taiwan might face in the coming years when Xi vows to invade Taiwan to accomplish his ambition.

〈給世界一個更好的臺灣—堅韌之島　韌性國家〉"Island of Resilience: A Better Taiwan for the World."    蔡英文總統 20221010

大會主席游錫堃院長、帛琉共和國惠恕仁（Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.）總統、現場的貴賓、好朋友，收看電視和網路直播的國人同胞，大家好。

一、  疫情中逆勢前進，把臺灣推進一步

今天，是中華民國111年的國慶，也是中華民國立足臺灣以來，第七十三個國慶日。

過去兩年多，對抗疫情，一直是國家最大的挑戰。所以，今天一開始，我同樣要感謝在疫情期間，為防疫工作付出、共同撐過這段艱辛過程的國人同胞。你們每一位，都是防疫英雄。

今年國慶日的氣氛，和前兩年有很大的不同。再過三天，我們的邊境管制即將放寬，臺灣和世界各國之間，也將恢復正常往來。這也意味著，我們將擺脫疫情的陰霾，邁向正常生活。

過去兩年多，疫情衝擊了全世界。對於因為疫情而離開的國人，我們同感不捨和哀痛；他們的離去，也提醒著我們，永遠有做得更好的空間。但跟很多國家相比，因為有大家攜手合作，團結守護彼此，讓臺灣的防疫表現，獲得世界的肯定。

因為疫情受到穩定控制，臺灣的經濟才能穩健成長。再加上，以創新和轉型為導向的發展策略，解決了我們長期以來，經濟動能不足的問題。

我們在全球衰退中逆勢成長。2021年的經濟成長率，百分之6.57，是近年來最佳的成績。今年的IMD世界競爭力評比，臺灣的排名是全球第七，「每千人研發人力」這項指標，我們是世界第一。

經濟發展的成果，也反映在政府的財政收入。從2018年以來，中央政府的歲計賸餘，已經連續四年突破千億元。去年更寫下，近三千億元的最佳成績。

財政的穩健，讓我們有更多的資源，可以投入基礎建設、提升科學研究、強化國防的戰力，而且建構更完整的社會安全網。

這些成就，是所有國民共同的努力。身為總統，我要感謝，今天在場所有的貴賓、各界領袖，還有我們兩千三百萬臺灣人民，謝謝大家，對民主的參與，對國家的貢獻。

疫情沒有擊倒我們，反而讓世界看見了臺灣的韌性。我們不只守住了疫情，更把我們往前推進了一步，成為我們心中更好的國家。

二、  下波挑戰當前，打造韌性國家

但正如同棒球比賽一樣，這一局能夠化險為夷，並不代表，我們下一局就會風平浪靜。走過了上階段的疫情風暴，下一個階段我們挑戰更大，更需要我們沉著面對，共同解決。

疫後的世界秩序，正在劇烈的變化。目前，歐美各國，正苦於通貨膨脹，和隨之而來的經濟衰退；臺灣的通膨，雖然還在可以控制的範圍，但我們仍然必須要因應，全球經濟衰退的變局。

在此同時，全球供應鏈重組，仍在進行當中。臺灣雖然在半導體、以及資通訊軟硬體的領域，已經取得關鍵的地位；但在其他領域也必須要快步跟上，才能立於不敗之地。另外，極端氣候帶來的異常災變，也提醒我們，必須要建立更能夠快速應變的機制。

在經濟局勢的過程當中，我們還要面對的另外一個挑戰，那就是烏俄戰爭持續在進行；中國在南海、東海、以及臺灣海峽的軍事行動，衝擊印太地區的和平穩定。我們絕對不能忽視，軍事的擴張，正在挑戰自由民主的世界秩序。這些變局，都跟臺灣息息相關。

臺灣正處在變局之中。我們不能抱著僥倖的心態。我們必須堅定民主立場，審慎的做出準備，隨時因應瞬息萬變的情勢。

回顧過去，正是因為臺灣的韌性，我們才能夠度過疫情的挑戰。未來的兩年，在我任期的最後，我們不僅要持續站穩「四個堅持」的立場，更要在經濟產業、在社會安全網、在民主自由體制、在國防戰力，打造更精實的「四大韌性」。

把中華民國臺灣，打造成為一個更強韌的國家，就是現階段國家發展，最重要的目標。

三、  因應經濟變局，布局產業未來

打造更強韌的國家，首要的任務，就是建立能夠在逆勢中，因應變局、站穩腳步，具有韌性的經濟與產業。

當前最緊迫的經濟變局，是全球的通膨和衍生的金融緊縮，帶來經濟衰退，和金融波動的風險。

為了管控通膨、穩定民生經濟，我們透過源頭管理，穩定水、電、油、氣，以及大宗物資，和關鍵原物料的價格，盡可能降低對國內整體物價的衝擊。

我們也強化了，因應金融市場波動的各項穩定機制。同時，透過有效的政策和公共支出，我們會加強投資下一個世代的基礎建設，和人力培育，提供更多就業機會，維持經濟成長的動能。

在產業布局方面，我們必須有力的面對，變局中供應鏈加強重整的趨勢。除了要加快腳步，推動「六大核心戰略產業」的發展，更要持續鞏固，半導體產業的優勢。

我要特別向國人及國際社會強調，半導體製造聚集在臺灣，不會是風險；而是全球半導體布局的關鍵之鑰。

我們會持續維持，臺灣在半導體尖端製造的優勢和能量，同時也會協助全球，在半導體供應鏈重整上，進行最佳的配置，讓「護國神山」的全球地位，更形重要。

為了提升經濟應變能力，我們也會確保關鍵基礎設施的安全，做到任何緊急狀況下，仍然可以透過有效調度、穩定供應，讓社會和產業維持正常運作。

為了要更進一步和國際接軌，我們也要全方位推進，跟新南向、印太，甚至中、東歐等國家的合作交流。透過前瞻技術合作、相互投資、以及金融支持等方法，建立更具韌性的全球供應鏈和通路體系。

我們也要和世界同步，持續採取因應極端氣候的行動。今年三月，我們公布了，淨零轉型的路徑圖；而《氣候變遷因應法》的草案，也已經送請立法院審議。這不只是臺灣對國際社會的承諾，更是我們要共同承擔的世代責任。

四、  完備社福醫療，強化社會安全網

「韌性國家」，不僅要能因應經濟風險，社會的韌性，也同樣的重要。

一個有韌性的社會，必須建立在經濟公平的基礎上。這些年來，我們持續透過加薪、減稅、增福利，來減輕民眾的負擔，落實照顧弱勢的施政理念。

而完整建構並且強化社會安全網，更是我們施政的重中之重。我們持續提升緊急應變、救護、和照顧的能量，希望提供國民，更完整及周全的照顧。

兩年多的防疫過程中，我們看到，我們的醫療和公衛體系，已經展現出，對於危機應變的經驗和能力。今天我要借用各位的雙手，再一次，給我們所有辛苦的醫護人員，最大的掌聲。

為了進一步強化韌性，因應未來的挑戰，我們要持續完備醫事人力、提升醫院備援的量能；我們也要持續強化，醫療體系的緊急應變機制，讓臺灣更有力量，來因應各種健康風險。

臺灣地震頻繁，這幾年，政府持續進行，校園、橋梁、道路的耐震補強及整建，提高公共設施的抗災強度。

為了因應突如其來的災害，我們盤整避難收容的安置資源，強化全民的防災和疏散能力，並且提升全民的心理韌性，面對災害，能夠冷靜而且快速的做出反應。

面對少子女、高齡化的社會，我們逐漸大幅增加預算，全力打造友善的生養環境，提高生育補助及育兒津貼，並大幅增加平價幼托名額；我們也衝刺長照的服務能量，更提出「因應超高齡社會對策方案」。

我們積極興建社會住宅、以及推動包租代管，擴大租金補貼，提升對勞工職災的保險和保護，也完善農漁民三項保險、和退休儲金制度，積極的來照顧各個需要的族群。

除此之外，我們也持續挹注資源，布建社區心理衛生中心，增加社工人力，發展因地制宜的服務，讓民眾可以就近尋求協助。

今年度總預算的社福支出，超過六千億，明年更將突破七千億，再創歷史新高。持續強化社會安全網，接住每一位需要協助的國民，是政府無可迴避的責任。

五、  深化民主體制，爭取國際支持

除了國家治理的議題，「民主韌性」的建立，更是守護臺灣的關鍵。

首要的工作，就是要讓自由民主體制，成為牢不可破的全民共識。民主社會中，我們可以有不同的立場，可以相互爭辯；但無論外在的壓力有多大，我們都要堅持自由民主體制，一致對外。

其次，就是強化資訊的透明，以及錯假訊息的辨識。臺灣，是最常遭遇到資訊戰的國家，這項非傳統的安全威脅，正不斷的干擾我們的民主體制的運作。

面對境外勢力的滲透及意圖破壞，我們一定要用，更透明、更民主的方式來應對。例如，在疫情期間，指揮中心不斷的召開記者會，就是為了讓社會大眾，充分掌握資訊，降低恐慌，避免錯假資訊的擾亂，進而影響全民防疫的信心。

接下來，我們也會持續強化錯假訊息的查核機制，讓資訊更透明公開，讓全民能有效的辨識資訊真偽，避免資訊戰的威脅。

最後，就是要持續深化國際合作，跟民主盟友緊密連結。當威權主義的擴張，逐漸威脅全球秩序的同時，四面八方的國際友人，都來到臺灣，表達溫暖的支持。現在，正是臺灣最受國際關注的時刻。

中華民國臺灣，已經成為世界民主自由的重要象徵。國際社會非常清楚，維護臺灣的安全，就是維護區域穩定和民主價值；一旦，臺灣的民主自由被摧毀，將是世界民主陣營的重大的挫敗。

民主，不只是對外定位臺灣的國際角色；對內，更是強化社會韌性的核心戰略。

六、  提升國防戰力，凝聚民心士氣

這幾年來，為了強化國防戰力與韌性，我們加速推動國防改革，國防預算也逐年增加。我們用行動告訴全世界，臺灣會挑起自我防衛的責任，我們不會坐等命運被決定，我們也會和盟友，共同維護區域的安全及穩定。

我們加速量產各式精準飛彈，以及海軍、海巡的高效能艦艇。此外，我們也積極籌獲，各類小型、高機動性的精準打擊武器，來建構完整的不對稱戰力，確保臺灣，足以應對外在的軍事威脅。

這幾年，國機國造、國艦國造，都有具體的成果。潛艦國造，也如期的推動當中。兩週前，臺灣第一艘，自主研發建造、萬噸級的「玉山軍艦」，正式交艦。

還有剛剛，大家看到帶頭衝場的勇鷹號新式高教機，都是我們努力的成果。謝謝全體的國軍弟兄姊妹，跟我一起克服萬難，交出了這張得之不易的國防自主成績單。

為了落實全民防衛，我們成立「全民防衛動員署」，強化戰訓量能，透過精進後備教召訓練，讓後備軍人，能使用跟現役軍人相近的武器裝備，提升後備戰力。

建構能有效應對現代戰爭需求的國軍，以及建立軍民整合的全面防衛動員能力，都是刻不容緩。我們必須確保，無論是平時救災，或者是戰時動員，各項韌性的整備、各種物資和人員，都能夠準確、即時到位。

最重要的是，我們必須凝聚民心士氣，強化全民的防衛意識。「守土衛國」，從來都不只是軍人的事；每一位國民，都是國家的守護者。

這段時間，我看到許多朋友，有年輕的爸媽、有上了年紀的阿公阿嬤，也有許多沒有服役經驗的學生。他們不分年齡、性別，自發性參加民間的課程，學習社區防衛、緊急照護、以及資訊辨識。這正是，「守土衛國，你我同行」的最佳詮釋。

七、  維持臺海和平穩定，是兩岸共同責任

臺海的和平穩定，是兩岸關係發展的基礎。遺憾的是，近年來，北京當局日益升高軍事恫嚇、外交打壓、貿易阻撓，以及試圖消滅中華民國臺灣主權的作為，已經威脅到，臺海及區域和平穩定的現狀。

在臺灣這塊土地上的人民，歷經七十三年的共同生活與發展，已經凝聚了強大的認同感和歸屬感；臺灣人民和朝野政黨的最大共識，就是捍衛主權，以及我們民主自由的生活方式。這一點，我們沒有妥協的空間。

兩岸立場的分歧，不僅是歷史的因素，更在於，民主發展上的背道而馳。

北京當局不要因為臺灣活躍的民主體制，而有所誤判。誤認臺灣人民，對民主自由的堅持，是可以妥協的；進而試圖利用，政黨之間的激烈競爭，來分化臺灣社會。這樣的思維和做法，無助於兩岸關係，只會讓兩岸更行更遠。

我要呼籲北京當局，兵戎相見，絕對不是兩岸的選項。唯有尊重臺灣人民對主權和民主自由的堅持，才是重啟兩岸良性互動的根本。

我們期待，在兩岸邊境解封之後，能夠逐步恢復，兩岸人民之間健康有序的交流，進而舒緩臺海的緊張情勢。

在理性、平等及相互尊重之下，我們也願意和北京當局，尋求雙方可以接受，維持臺海和平穩定的方法；這是我們共同的責任。

八、  把更好的臺灣獻給世界

各位國人同胞，對於生活在這塊土地上的我們而言，最大的任務，就是用盡全力，給後代一個更好的國家，也給世界一個更好的臺灣。

臺灣的經濟更發展，全球供應鏈就更完整而堅韌。

臺灣的安全更鞏固，區域和全球就更能和平繁榮。

臺灣的民主更深化，世界自由民主陣營就更穩固。

這是我們過去多年以來，從黑暗的坑洞中，掘光而行，終於走出來的一條道路。這條路也許辛苦，但我們因此找到了，身為臺灣人的意義，也看到了臺灣的存在對世界的價值。

現在的臺灣，很民主、很自由、經濟繁榮、文化多元，不但受到世界的矚目，人民也凝聚出，守衛家園的堅強意志。今天，大聲的說出，「我是臺灣人」，是一種光榮，也是一種驕傲。

各位國人同胞，我們是彼此的手足，讓我們勇敢堅定，自信地站在世界的舞台上，讓臺灣成為世界的臺灣，更要給世界一個更好的臺灣。

中華民國加油！臺灣加油！謝謝大家

 

 

National Day Celebration Chairperson You Si-kun (游錫堃), President Surangel Whipps Jr. of the Republic of Palau, distinguished guests, dear friends, and my fellow citizens watching on TV and online: Good morning.

I. Moving Taiwan forward in the face of the pandemic

Today is the 111th National Day of the Republic of China, and the 73rd National Day since the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan.

For more than two years now, fighting COVID-19 has been our country's greatest challenge. That is why I want to begin my remarks today by thanking all my fellow citizens, who have worked hard for our pandemic response and have helped one another through this difficult period. Each of you has played a heroic role in these efforts.

The atmosphere on this National Day is very different from that of the past two years. In three days, border restrictions will be loosened, and Taiwan will resume normal exchanges with other countries around the globe. This step also signifies that we are emerging from the shadow of the pandemic and moving toward life as normal. 

For more than two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the whole world. We remember and grieve for our fellow citizens who have passed away due to the pandemic. Their passing reminds us that there will always be room for us to do better. But thanks to your cooperation and solidarity in looking out for one another, Taiwan's pandemic prevention efforts have earned global recognition in comparison with many other countries.

As we have brought the pandemic under control, Taiwan has enjoyed stable economic growth. That, together with our development strategy directed toward innovation and transformation, has helped resolve our longstanding economic stagnation.

As most economies around the world slowed, Taiwan's grew at a rate of 6.57 percent in 2021, our best performance in recent years. This year's International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook also ranked Taiwan seventh worldwide for competitiveness, and first for total R&D personnel per capita.

The fruits of Taiwan's economic development have also been reflected in our public revenues. In each of the four years since 2018, our central government has recorded annual budget surpluses of more than NT$100 billion. Last year, that figure reached a record high of almost NT$300 billion.

The stability of our public finances has, in turn, given us more resources to invest in infrastructure, boost scientific research, strengthen national defense, and construct a more well-rounded social safety net.

These accomplishments were possible because of the work of all our fellow citizens. As president, I want to thank all of our guests and leaders from across Taiwanese society here today. I also want to thank the 23 million people of Taiwan for your participation in our democracy and contributions to our nation.

Instead of holding us back, the pandemic has helped the world see Taiwan's resilience. Not only did we manage the spread of COVID-19, we helped Taiwan take a step forward, and made our country a better place.

II. Our next challenge: building a resilient nation

But just as in baseball, being able to turn one inning around does not mean the next one will be a walk in the park. Having come through the outbreak of the virus, we know that our next challenges will be even greater, requiring a calm and collective response.

The post-pandemic world order is in a state of rapid change. Countries across Europe and the Americas are suffering from inflation and the resulting economic downturn. While inflation in Taiwan is still at a controllable level, we must nevertheless prepare for the developments that might be triggered by a global economic contraction.

At the same time, global supply chains are still undergoing restructuring. Though Taiwan already holds a key position in the fields of semiconductors and information and communications technology hardware and software, we must quickly catch up in other fields to ensure our strong footing. In addition, disasters caused by extreme weather events remind us that we must build mechanisms for rapid response.

Aside from economic developments, Russia continues its war against Ukraine, while China's military activity in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait undermines peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We absolutely cannot ignore the challenge that these military expansions pose to the free and democratic world order. These developments are inextricably connected with Taiwan.

With Taiwan a part of this changing landscape, we cannot leave things to chance. Instead, we must stand up for our democracy, and prepare prudently and sufficiently to respond to any possible contingency.

Looking back, we can see that we were able to weather the challenges of the pandemic precisely because of Taiwan's resilience. Over the remaining two years of my term, we will continue to resolutely uphold our Four Commitments. We will also enhance the resilience of four key areas: our economy and industry, social safety net, free and democratic government system, and national defense.

The work of making the Republic of China (Taiwan) a more resilient country is now our most important national development priority.

III. Responding to a changing economic landscape as well as managing global industrial development

The foremost task in creating a more resilient country is building a resilient economy and industry that can stand firm amid global headwinds and adapt to changing global trends.

The most pressing of such economic trends are global inflation and the resulting financial contraction, which have introduced a heightened risk of an economic downturn and financial instability.

To control inflation and ensure the stability of our peoples' livelihoods, we are managing these issues at the source and working to stabilize the prices of water, electricity, oil, natural gas, and other staples and critical raw materials, expending every effort to reduce overall price fluctuations.

We have also strengthened our mechanisms for responding to instability in financial markets. Through effective policies and government spending, we will boost our investments in next-generation infrastructure and talent cultivation, creating more job opportunities and upholding our economic growth momentum.

In terms of industrial development, we must respond forcefully to the accelerating restructuring of global supply chains. We must speed up our efforts to promote the development of our Six Core Strategic Industries, while continuing to consolidate our advantages in the semiconductor sector.

I want to specifically emphasize one point to my fellow citizens and the international community, which is that the concentration of the semiconductor sector in Taiwan is not a risk, but is the key to the reorganization of the global semiconductor industry.

We will continue to maintain Taiwan's advantages and capacity in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing processes, and will help optimize the worldwide restructuring of the semiconductor supply chain, giving our semiconductor firms an even more prominent global role.

To improve our ability to respond to economic shocks, we will also work to ensure the security of our critical infrastructure, so that in the case of any emergency, we will still be able to maintain the normal functioning of our industrial sector and society through the effective allocation and stable supply of key goods.

And to further integrate with the international community, we are comprehensively pursuing cooperation and exchanges with New Southbound Policy countries and states across the Indo-Pacific, as well as with Central and Eastern Europe. Through collaboration in cutting-edge technologies, reciprocal investment, financial support, and other means, we are building more resilient global supply chains and distribution networks.

Moreover, we will keep in step with global efforts to respond to extreme weather events. This past March, we published Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 and sent a draft of our Climate Change Response Act to the Legislative Yuan for review. This is about more than Taiwan's promises to the international community – it is our collective responsibility to future generations.

IV. Comprehensively strengthening our social safety net

Being a resilient nation is not just about being able to address economic risk; social resilience is equally important.

A resilient society needs to be built upon a foundation of economic equality. These past few years, we have raised salaries, cut taxes, and increased benefits to reduce the burden on our people, putting into practice our commitment to care for disadvantaged groups.

Strengthening and building out our social safety net has been a focus of our policy implementation. We continue to increase our emergency response, rescue, and healthcare capabilities, as we hope to provide our citizens with more comprehensive care.

Over the two years and more of fighting the pandemic, we have seen the members of Taiwan's medical and public health network demonstrate their experience and ability in responding to crisis. Let me take this opportunity to ask you all once again to give our nation's hardworking healthcare workers a big round of applause.

To further enhance our resilience and better respond to future challenges, we will work to maintain sufficient medical staffing levels while increasing reserve capacity at hospitals. We will also continue to strengthen emergency response systems across our healthcare network, improving Taiwan's ability to address all potential health risks.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Taiwan. Over the past few years, our government has been rebuilding and renovating schools, bridges, and roads to enhance their earthquake resistance and strengthen the resilience of our public infrastructure.

To respond to sudden disasters, we will also consolidate our nation's emergency shelter resources, bolster our civil disaster preparedness and evacuation capabilities, and raise the public's mental resilience so that they can respond promptly and calmly in the face of disaster.

To address the challenges of a low birth rate and an aging society, we have significantly and consistently increased annual spending on social services in an all-out effort to build a friendlier environment for raising children. We have increased birth subsidies and childcare allowances, and have significantly expanded the availability of affordable childcare and preschool. We are also rapidly expanding long-term care services, and have put forward a plan to deal with Taiwan's super-aging trend.

We are actively building social housing, promoting our subletting management scheme, expanding rent subsidies, raising employment injury insurance coverage and protections, and improving the insurance and pension system for citizens in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. These are all part of our efforts to look after every group in need.

In addition, we continue to put resources toward setting up community mental health centers, where we are adding staff and developing services tailored to local communities so that citizens can find the help they need where they need it.

Social welfare spending in this year's budget is over NT$600 billion, and will exceed NT$700 billion next year, setting another all-time high. Continually strengthening our social safety net and ensuring help for all who need it is a duty that our government must fulfill.

V. Shoring up our democracy and garnering international support

Aside from issues of national governance, building democratic resilience is key to safeguarding Taiwan.

Our primary task in this regard is to make our commitment to a free and democratic system an unbreakable national consensus. In a democratic society, we can have different positions and we can debate with one another, but we should unanimously and resolutely stand behind our free and democratic system, no matter how much external pressure we face. 

Next to that is the task of improving transparency and our ability to identify disinformation. Taiwan is one of the countries most targeted by information warfare, a non-traditional security threat that persistently interferes with the functioning of our democratic system.

In facing infiltration and attempts at sabotage by external forces, we must respond with a more transparent and democratic approach. For instance, during the pandemic, the regular press conferences held by our Central Epidemic Command Center have helped our public stay on top of the latest information, reduced panic, and prevented disinformation from affecting public confidence in our pandemic response.

Going forward, we will continue to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms targeting disinformation, enhance the transparency and accessibility of information, and help our people more effectively distinguish fact from fiction to neutralize the threat of information warfare.

The other part of this work is to continue deepening Taiwan's international cooperation and close ties with democratic allies. As the expansion of authoritarianism has gradually come to threaten the global order, friends from across the world have traveled to Taiwan to express their heartwarming support. In fact, Taiwan is now receiving more international attention than ever before. 

The Republic of China (Taiwan) has become an important global symbol of democracy and freedom. The international community fully understands that upholding Taiwan's security means upholding regional stability and democratic values. The destruction of Taiwan's democracy and freedom would be a grave defeat for the world's democracies.

Our democracy is not just about defining Taiwan's international role for the rest of the world; it is our core strategy for strengthening Taiwan's social resilience.

VI. Upgrading our national defense and uniting behind a common purpose

Over the past few years, we have stepped up defense reform and increased our defense budget each year in order to strengthen our national defense capabilities and resilience. Through our actions, we are sending a message to the international community that Taiwan will take responsibility for our own self-defense, that we will not leave anything to fate, and that we will work with our allies to jointly maintain security and stability in the region.

As part of this effort, we are ramping up the mass production of precision missiles and high-performance naval vessels. In addition, we are working to acquire various small, highly mobile precision weapons that will help us develop comprehensive asymmetric warfare capabilities, ensuring that Taiwan is fully prepared to respond to external military threats.

Our domestic efforts to build aircraft and ships have achieved significant results in recent years, with our indigenous submarine project also progressing as planned. Just two weeks ago, Taiwan's first domestically developed and constructed 10,000-ton landing platform dock Yushan was officially delivered.

And just earlier, you saw our Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers flying overhead. These are the results of our concerted efforts to enhance our military capabilities. I want to thank all of our military personnel for working with us to overcome all manner of challenges, and for making hard-earned progress in advancing our defense self-sufficiency.

To ensure that our national defense is truly comprehensive, we also established the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency to bolster our military training capacity and refine reserve training programs, increasing the readiness of our reservists by giving them access to equipment and weaponry similar to that used by our active-duty troops.

Forming a military force that can effectively respond to the demands of modern warfare and building an overall mobilization capability that integrates the military and the public are issues that demand our immediate attention. We must ensure that our preparations, supplies, and personnel can be resiliently, accurately, and promptly deployed to address any situation, whether in times of peace, disaster, or war.

But most importantly, we must all rally around a common purpose and broaden public awareness of our self-defense needs. Protecting our territory and safeguarding our nation has never been the work of the military alone. Every citizen is a guardian of our nation.

In recent times, we have seen Taiwanese of all ages and genders, including young parents, senior citizens, and students without military experience, take it upon themselves to participate in classes on community defense, first aid, and information awareness. This is the true meaning of collective participation in national defense.

VII. Upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait: the joint responsibility of both sides

Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the basis for the development of cross-strait relations. It is regrettable that, in recent years, the Beijing authorities' escalation of their military intimidations, diplomatic pressure, trade obstructions, and attempts to erase the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) have threatened the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region.

During the past 73 years, the people of Taiwan have lived and grown together on this land, and have formed our own strong sense of identity and belonging. The broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people and our various political parties is that we must defend our national sovereignty and our free and democratic way of life. On this point, we have no room for compromise.

The differences between the two sides of the strait stem from historical factors as well as from our divergent experiences in democratic development.
The Beijing authorities should not make any misjudgment on account of Taiwan's vigorous democratic system. They must not mistake that there is room for compromise in the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy and freedom, and thus attempt to divide Taiwanese society by exploiting the fierce competition between our political parties. This way of thinking and acting is of no benefit to cross-strait relations, and will only push our two sides further from each other.

I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides. Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom, can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait.

We look forward to the gradual resumption of healthy and orderly cross-strait people-to-people exchanges after the loosening of border restrictions on both sides, thereby easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Provided there is rationality, equality, and mutual respect, we are willing to work with the Beijing authorities to find a mutually agreeable arrangement for upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This is our shared responsibility.

VIII. A better Taiwan for the world

My fellow citizens, the greatest duty for all of us living on this land is to do everything we can to give the next generation a better country, and to give the world a better Taiwan.

Greater economic growth for Taiwan means more complete and resilient global supply chains.

A more secure Taiwan means a more peaceful and prosperous region and world.

And a more democratic Taiwan means a stronger global democratic alliance.

This is the years-long road we have traveled, from a darker time to a brighter future. Though it has been a difficult road, those difficulties have shown us what it means to be Taiwanese, and have helped us see what Taiwan means to the world.

Today's Taiwan is democratic, free, prosperous, and culturally diverse. Not only has Taiwan become a focus of global attention, but our people have come together around a shared determination to safeguard our homeland. Today, saying "I am Taiwanese" is a statement of honor and an expression of pride.

My fellow citizens, we are all family. Let us stand on the world stage with courage, determination, and confidence. Let us make Taiwan a Taiwan of the world, and let us give the world an even better Taiwan.

I wish all the best to the Republic of China. I wish all the best to Taiwan. Thank you.