President William Lai (Lai Qingde) waved at the Double Ten National Celebration held in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Du Jianrong, Taipei Times
‘Salt and light’: Taiwan is built ‘on a mountain chain’, a glorious achievement of democratic governance, he said in his remarks against China.
By Chen Cheng-yu / Reporter, News Agency
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President William Lai yesterday called on Taiwan to become a "city on a hill" in an era of expanding authority and global turmoil, stressing that Taiwan cherishes peace but will not give up freedom.
“In this era of war, expansion of authority, and drastic changes in the global order, what kind of country should Taiwan strive to become? My answer is: We must become a "city on a hill," built with courage and confidence. ” Lai Ching-te said this in his National Day speech titled “Taiwan’s Future: City on a Hill, Salt and Light of the World.”
"This is not a celebration of ourselves, but a declaration of our vision for the future of our country. ’ he said. "This is also a responsibility that Taiwan is willing to shoulder. 』
"City on a hill" and "Salt and Light" come from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
"This city on a mountain is built on a chain of protective mountains. It is a glorious achievement of democratic governance and provides us with a solid foundation for peace of mind." " said Lai, adding that it must be built on a solid foundation, and "the well-being of our people is the foundation of Taiwan."
Lai Ching-te promised that his government will practice pragmatic governance by increasing wages, cutting taxes, expanding benefits, and reducing economic burdens, so that everyone can enjoy greater economic security and a better quality of life.
Faced with China's vast military, which is adding advanced weapons such as stealth fighters, aircraft carriers and large numbers of missiles, Taiwan is increasing its defense readiness and modernizing its armed forces, he said.
The government's increased defense investment is aimed at deterring war rather than provoking it, he added.
“We strengthen self-defense not to give up dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can be conducted on the basis of equality and dignity. ’ he said to the crowd, who watched military demonstrations and dance performances.
Peace cannot rely on "wishes" alone, said Lai Qingde. "Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up freedom. We welcome communication but will not accept affiliation. 』
"The right of the Taiwanese people to exist must be respected. ’ he said.
Lai called on democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region to unite to maintain the "status quo" of peace and stability in the region.
China has been applying pressure to try to change the "status quo" across the Taiwan Strait, Lai said. The country's "determination" is not only related to its own survival in the face of "authority expansion", but also to whether the international community still believes that force cannot override rules.
A senior US White House official welcomed Lai's commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, adding that "a routine speech does not justify aggression or coercive actions" against China.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Lai's speech later yesterday, saying it "ignored facts, distorted the truth, misled the public and exposed hidden motives."
In his speech, Lai "stubbornly adhered to the separatist thinking of "Taiwan independence"" and exaggerated "the threat from the mainland," the office said.
"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China - this is the true status quo of the Taiwan Strait. ” it said, adding that Taiwan’s future “can and must be decided jointly by all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan.”
In 2024, Lai Ching-te’s first National Day speech shortly after taking office as president, China has held a war game around Taiwan, but did not do so last year.
Its most recent military exercise against Taiwan took place at the end of last year, just after the United States agreed to a US$1.1 billion weapons package against Taiwan - the largest in history.
U.S. President Trump has yet to approve a second weapons package worth $1.4 billion.
News source: TAIPEI TIMES
People waved the Taiwanese flag in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday to celebrate National Day. Photo: CNA
The "Thunder Tigers" aerobatic team of the Air Force performed a flight performance in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: CNA
The Taiwan Space Agency's float participated in the National Day parade in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times
Police officers participated in the National Day celebrations in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Fang Pinchao, Taipei Times
Visiting Japanese congressmen attended the National Day celebrations in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Fang Pinchao, Taipei Times
The Honor Guard performed a ceremony in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA
Dancers performed in the square in front of the Presidential Palace yesterday. Photo: Fang Pinchao, Taipei Times
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