During his multi-country Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region Tour (繁榮南島 智慧永續), President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has stopped to speak at Hawai’i’s East-West Center and attend a closed-door discussion with the center’s former dean Richard Vuylsteke, former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) chairman James Moriarty, and others.
In his speech, President Lai explained Taiwan's three objectives, including actively implementing the “Four Pillar Action Plan” (四大支柱行動方案), contributing to the global supply chain, and working to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
Lai also pointed out that, in high-tech industries especially, the partnership between Taiwan and the United States not only strengthens operations but also demonstrates that Taiwan is a trustworthy and reliable partner. He emphasized that Taiwan not only cooperates transparently and fulfills its commitments in the fields of public health, fishery, animal husbandry, and climate transition, but also promotes relations with its Pacific allies, hoping to achieve wisdom, sustainability, democracy, and friendship. He said that Taiwan will also continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, work closely with countries with similar ideals, adhere to the common concept of “strength brings peace,” and defend the universal values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
During the closed-door discussion, concerns were raised over how Lai will lead Taiwan for the next four or eight years, especially facing threats from China. The President explained that he strives to maintain the country's development, strengthen national defense capabilities, and take care of its 23 million people, ensuring Taiwan will stand firm in the future. On the world stage, he underscored their ongoing proactive participation and assistance in the international community, which contributes to world peace, stability, and prosperity, and shows that Taiwan is a kind and good country.