President Tsai Ing-wen addressed the nation Sunday on the occasion of National Day, calling for unity and saying that Taiwan remains determined to preserve its sovereignty.
She began her five-part speech by thanking those who have helped Taiwan overcome the COVID-19 outbreak that began in May. She also said she is thankful for the cooperation between the private and public sectors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. She thanked Taiwan’s people for the self-discipline and unity they have shown in the face of COVID-19, which has helped protect the nation.
Tsai also thanked international partners for helping Taiwan during its COVID-19 outbreak, particularly Japan, the US, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, which have donated COVID-19 vaccine doses. She also pointed to Taiwan's sharing of face masks during the past year. She called this sharing of vaccines and face masks part of a "virtuous cycle", and said that Taiwan will continue contributing to the international community.
The second part of Tsai’s speech focused on regional tensions, Chinese aggression, and Taiwan’s place on the first line of defense for democracy. She said that Taiwan remains determined to defend itself and continues to support regional peace and stability. She said that Taiwan will not act rashly, but will not compromise when it comes to its sovereignty, either.
In the third part of her speech, Tsai said that unity and consensus are the greatest common factors that define Taiwan’s people. She said that today’s Taiwan is the result of generations of working together, and that Taiwan is a place where people of any background or political party can belong. She said that the resolve to protect Taiwan is not limited to a single political party. She called on Taiwan's people to renew their commitment to a free and democratic constitutional system, their commitment that Taipei and Beijing should not be subordinary to each other, their commitment to resist annexation or encroachment on Taiwan's sovereignty, and their commitment that the future of Taiwan should be decided in accordance with the wishes of Taiwan's people.
The fourth part of Tsai’s speech addressed issues and government policies that divide public opinion. She said that whether the issue at hand is constitutional reform, transitional justice, or nuclear power, she hopes that society can find common ground. She said she hopes that Taiwan’s society can find a widely acceptable solution to divisive issues so that it can face the challenges of the future.
Tsai ended her speech with a note of confidence in Taiwan, recalling the nation's pride at Taiwanese athletes' Olympic success this summer in Tokyo. She praised Taiwan's military as well, and said that Taiwan's Olympic athletes and troops are all national heroes. Lastly, she called on Taiwan's people to move forward with confidence and pride as masters of their own destiny and ready to embrace a global role.
News Source：RTI
Editor：John Van Trieste
Source: RTI
