President Lai Ching-te said May 20 that the government will continue to promote social unity to safeguard democracy, peace and prosperity in order to create a freer, fairer, more secure and more hopeful future for the next generation.
The president made the remarks while delivering an address on the second anniversary of his presidency at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
According to the president, amid the rapidly shifting global landscape, the government has remained steadfast in protecting Taiwan’s free and democratic way of life, managing the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and developing the economy to make Taiwan more resilient, more competitive and better able to care for its people.
Lai said this year marks a highly significant historical milestone for the country as the people celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first direct presidential election in 1996. Democracy is the most important part of Taiwan’s identity, he said, adding that Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by forces outside its borders.
The president said maintaining cross-strait peace and stability and preventing external forces from altering the status quo are national strategic goals. Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue and pursue stability but will not sacrifice its sovereignty, he added.
Lai said the government is highly aware that threats to Taiwan are greater than ever and has continuously advanced national defense reforms and increased investment in defense, adding that this is not to provoke but to protect the people.
Prosperity is the people’s deepest aspiration, which is why the government has been actively improving the investment environment and implementing industrial innovation, upgrading and transformation, the president said.
This strategy has yielded results, Lai said, citing the 8.68 percent economic growth rate in 2025 and the best job numbers in 15 years. The economic growth rate is estimated at 13.69 percent for the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly number in 39 years, he added.
Going forward, the president said he will soon propose a NT$100 billion (US$3.16 billion) acceleration plan to upgrade and transform micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises and traditional industries to ensure that national development will translate into better lives for every family.
Lai said the government will also unveil a new population strategy that includes a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 per child, from birth through the age of 18, to address the challenges posed by a declining birthrate.
The president also expressed his highest respect to members of Taiwan’s armed forces and called for solidarity among all segments of society to defend democracy, pursue peace, create greater prosperity and move forward with courage. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
The president made the remarks while delivering an address on the second anniversary of his presidency at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
According to the president, amid the rapidly shifting global landscape, the government has remained steadfast in protecting Taiwan’s free and democratic way of life, managing the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and developing the economy to make Taiwan more resilient, more competitive and better able to care for its people.
Lai said this year marks a highly significant historical milestone for the country as the people celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first direct presidential election in 1996. Democracy is the most important part of Taiwan’s identity, he said, adding that Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by forces outside its borders.
The president said maintaining cross-strait peace and stability and preventing external forces from altering the status quo are national strategic goals. Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue and pursue stability but will not sacrifice its sovereignty, he added.
Lai said the government is highly aware that threats to Taiwan are greater than ever and has continuously advanced national defense reforms and increased investment in defense, adding that this is not to provoke but to protect the people.
Prosperity is the people’s deepest aspiration, which is why the government has been actively improving the investment environment and implementing industrial innovation, upgrading and transformation, the president said.
This strategy has yielded results, Lai said, citing the 8.68 percent economic growth rate in 2025 and the best job numbers in 15 years. The economic growth rate is estimated at 13.69 percent for the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly number in 39 years, he added.
Going forward, the president said he will soon propose a NT$100 billion (US$3.16 billion) acceleration plan to upgrade and transform micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises and traditional industries to ensure that national development will translate into better lives for every family.
Lai said the government will also unveil a new population strategy that includes a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 per child, from birth through the age of 18, to address the challenges posed by a declining birthrate.
The president also expressed his highest respect to members of Taiwan’s armed forces and called for solidarity among all segments of society to defend democracy, pursue peace, create greater prosperity and move forward with courage. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News