INDSR (Institute for National Defense and Security Research) Chairman Huo Shou-Ye, INDSR Acting CEO Liu Feng-Yu, distinguished guests, scholars, and experts, good afternoon!

Today, I am deeply honored to be invited to attend the "2025 Taipei Security Dialogue" symposium. Seeing so many important domestic and international experts and scholars gathered in Taipei shows that the INDSR is becoming increasingly influential on global security issues. We appreciate that everyone here has offered many important observations and assessment on the theme, “Integrated Deterrence: Maintaining Peace through Strength in the IndoPacific,” covering international comprehensive security situations, social resilience, defense deterrence, asymmetric thinking, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI and drones. These insights are highly valuable.

The recent CCP “September 3rd Military Parade” sent the world a signal of the gathering of authoritarian states, the CRINK, namely China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, which is a warning to all democratic countries. How to develop comprehensive deterrence to jointly curb the expansion of authoritarian states and defend the values of freedom and democracy has become a serious and inevitable issue for the international community.

Right now, there are several issues I would like to share with you.

First, Mainland China is the greatest threat to the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region

Since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, there have been three extreme developments in mainland China. First, the shift from past “collective leadership” to “centralized leadership”, even to “one-man rule”under Xi has increased the risk of misjudgments in decision-making. Second, Xi regime has incited “fanatic nationalism,” has been seeking military hegemony ,wolf warrior diplomacy and whole nation system. These result in the militarization of South China Sea, suppressing freedom in Hong Kong, intensifying pressure against Taiwan and expanding its global influence through the Belt and Road Initiative. Third, in order to create legitimacy for extending his term, Xi has made “unifying with Taiwan” and “replacing the United States” as benchmarks for realizing the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” turning the CCP into an unprecedented form of “new totalitarianism” and driving outward expansion. Taiwan is at the very front line. Through military intimidation, diplomatic suppression, economic coercion, social infiltration, legal warfare, and hybrid cognitive warfare, China has been escalating compound pressure on Taiwan, becoming the greatest threat to the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.

Second, Peace in the Taiwan Strait is the key to safeguarding global security and prosperity

Taiwan’s strategic importance is irreplaceable and indispensable . It is the cornerstone for global prosperity and stability. First, Taiwan sits at the core position of the first island chain. Around 50% of the world’s container ships transit the Taiwan Strait, making Taiwan crucial to maintaining the international order of peace and prosperity. Second, Taiwan is a global high technology hub; 90% of the world’s most advanced chips are produced in Taiwan, showcasing that Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the global high-technology supply chain. Third, Taiwan is a mature, free, and democratic country. We also share similar cultural and language backgrounds with people from mainland China. Our experience can inspire people in mainland China to pursue freedom and a better life.

Therefore, maintaining security and peace in the Taiwan Strait directly affects the vital interests of all countries. In recent years, the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and others have paid close attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, sending naval vessels through the strait and voicing support for Taiwan in the face of Beijing’s intensifying pressure. This highlights that “Taiwan’s contingency is the world’s contingency.” How to work together to curb the CCP’s outward expansionist ambitions and safeguard peace and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the region has become an important consensus in the international community.

Third, President Lai’s cross-Strait policy is committed to maintaining the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, which is in line with the shared interests of the international community.

Facing the threat of China’s military expansion, our government is determined to defend national security and sovereignty. We will follow President Lai’s cross-Strait policy, uphold the “Four Commitments,” and implement the “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan to maintain the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, including:

First, strengthening national defense capabilities. President Lai has reiterated that he will continue to advance national defense reform and increase next year’s defense budget to over 3.32% of GDP, and 5% by 2030, to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination for self-defense and deterrence against China’s aggression.

Second, building economic security and strengthening partnerships with democratic countries on high-technology supply chains. We will reinforce Taiwan’s economic resilience and deepen economic and trade cooperation with like-minded democracies, jointly building a more resilient democratic supply chain.

Third, pursuing stable and principled leadership in cross-Strait relations. Although Taiwan faces unprecedented pressures, our determination to safeguard our sovereignty and democratic system has never been stronger. We will never succumb to saber rattling or intensifying pressures from China. However, as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan continues to keep the door for communication and dialogue open. We call on mainland China to cease its pressure against Taiwan, face up to the objective reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and adopt a pragmatic attitude to engage in positive interaction with Taiwan’s democratically elected government, so that both sides can prioritize issues of public well-being that are of greatest concern to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The international community has recognized that maintaining the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait is the key to global prosperity and stability. Taiwan is determined to be a force for good in defending its own security and contributing to global peace and prosperity. We also hope to strengthen cooperation and deepen partnerships with our allied democracies in democratic resilience, regional prosperity, and collective security, so as to jointly promote regional peace and prosperity.

Finally, we again thank the INDSR for organizing this international conference, and we appreciate the insightful perspectives and valuable advice offered by all distinguished guests. I wish you all good health and every success. To our foreign guests, we hope you have a wonderful trip in Taiwan. Thank you very much.