President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 25 that Taiwan is bolstering its defensive capabilities in order to maintain the cross-strait status quo and safeguard peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Pursuing a policy of greater self-reliance in national defense and upgrading the operational effectiveness of the armed forces lies at the heart of the government’s rock-solid commitment to safeguarding Taiwan and its 23 million people, Tsai said. No effort will be spared in meeting this obligation while demonstrating Taiwan’s value as a reliable partner for like-minded countries in the region, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a delegation from Washington-based think tank Project 2049 Institute at the Office of the President in Taipei City. Led by Richard L. Armitage, chairman of the institute and former U.S. deputy secretary of state, the group also includes retired Adm. Scott H. Swift, ex-commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and institute Executive Director Mark Stokes.
According to Tsai, China’s ongoing campaign of coercion against Taiwan has impacted the cross-strait status quo, as well as regional peace and stability. Such developments are causing concern in the international community and are not conducive to positive economic and political developments in the Indo-Pacific, she said.
As a responsible member of the international community, Tsai said, Taiwan will not sit idly by and allow events to overtake its drive to deepen and expand engagement with the region. This is reflected in the recent establishment of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, she added.
Launched May 1 by Tsai in Taipei, the state-backed institute is devising approaches for managing changes in the strategic situation, promoting initiatives for attracting top-flight research talent, and spurring overseas dialogue, exchanges and interaction on related issues.
An equally positive development, Tsai said, is the signing in August by U.S. President Donald J. Trump of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions to help Taiwan strengthen its defensive capabilities. It is hoped the visit by the delegation from Project 2049 Institute will open the door to more Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in this key area, she added.
The president also took the opportunity to thank Armitage and Swift for their long-standing support for Taiwan, especially during recent diplomatic challenges. This firm backing is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, Tsai said. (SFC-E)
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