On Thursday morning at the National Day celebrations, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) delivered an address with the theme of “Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream.” He emphasized that his primary mission is to safeguard the sovereignty of Taiwan, protect the lives and rights of its citizens, and oversee its continued development.
Lai said that although Taiwan is not fully recognized in the international community, the Taiwanese people have persisted and contributed to global welfare regardless. He reiterated that Taiwan is unaffiliated with the PRC and represents itself in the international arena.
Regarding national security and the continued development of the nation, Lai said that he will firmly adhere to the Four Pillars of Peace action plan and that committees have been established to oversee climate change countermeasures, healthcare, and other elements essential to building a resilient society.
Finally, Lai spoke on the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the strait and Taiwan’s willingness to cooperate with China to address issues such as climate change, infectious disease prevention, and the pursuit of prosperity. He expressed his hope that China will also contribute to regional peace in the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to working together with other countries in the world to end the Russo-Ukrainian War and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
As for Taiwan, Lai said that it will continue to hold down the fort as a bastion of peace in an increasingly chaotic world. He said he believes that a strong democratic Taiwan is not only the wish of its 23 million citizens, but also the expectation of the international community.