---

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Premier Cho Jung-tai of the Executive Yuan, Former Chairpersons Yao Chia-wen, Hsu Hsin-liang, Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-chang, and Yu Shyi-kun, the Group of 18 Founding Members, Chairman Lai Jui-lung of the Central Evaluation Committee, members of the Central Standing Committee, Central Executive Committee, and Central Evaluation Committee, county and city mayors from the ruling party, Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang, legislators, distinguished guests, and all party representatives and comrades — good afternoon, greetings to you all!

First of all, I want to thank all of our esteemed comrades for taking the time to attend this National Party Congress, to jointly make decisions on party affairs, and to work together for Taiwan’s future.

On May 20 last year, Bi-khim and I assumed office as President and Vice President. Over the past year, our administration has worked diligently and devoted ourselves fully to the task.

As the international situation undergoes significant changes and the pressure from China to annex Taiwan grows increasingly intense, I would like to express my gratitude to Premier Cho Jung-tai, who, together with the administrative team, has worked tirelessly to promote national development, advance the economy, and improve the lives of the people, yielding remarkable results. Last year, Taiwan’s GDP growth rate reached 4.84%, and in the first quarter of this year, it was 5.48%. According to the latest May data, employment numbers have increased, unemployment has decreased, and the labor market remains stable.

We have also continued to push for wage increases and tax reductions, as well as expanded investment in society, from the national childcare program for children aged zero to six, to full tuition subsidies for public and private high schools, financial aid for private university students, and the promotion of Long-Term Care 3.0.

In particular, in response to the United States’ announcement of new tariffs, we immediately proposed an 88 billion NT industrial support plan. After nearly 20 rounds of corporate dialogues, we decided to introduce the "Special Act to Strengthen Security Resilience" and allocated a special budget of 410 billion NT, using the surplus from the fiscal year to support industries, stabilize employment, improve livelihoods, and enhance national resilience.

I would like to thank Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun for leading the negotiation team, traveling to the United States for face-to-face discussions and conducting multiple rounds of talks in Taiwan through video conferences. They have worked wholeheartedly to secure Taiwan’s interests and create opportunities for industry development.

Of course, we all know that the greatest challenge in domestic politics lies within the Legislative Yuan. The majority opposition alliance not only disregards parliamentary rules but also passes laws that violate the Constitution, and significantly slashed the central government’s budget, affecting government operations and national progress. I would like to thank caucus Convener Ker Chien-ming, Chief Executive Rosalia Wu and Chief Secretary Chen Pei-yu for leading the caucus members to stand on the front lines, fighting tirelessly for Taiwan.

Facing these challenges, Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang, leading the central party headquarters, has worked closely with local party officials to support the party’s legislative caucus and create a large communication platform with society. This work has been demanding.

Let us all give the DPP team the greatest encouragement with our warmest applause!

In the past year, China has relentlessly used both military intimidation and psychological warfare against Taiwan, treating annexation of Taiwan as a key part of its national policy for achieving the great rejuvenation of its people. This is further aimed at dominating the Western Pacific and challenging regional stability, with the ultimate goal of altering the rules-based international order.

Thus, China views the annexation of Taiwan as the first step in expanding its hegemony. This will not change, regardless of which political party or leader is in power in Taiwan.

This March, I convened a high-level national security meeting to define China as a foreign hostile force. In response to China’s five major national security and united front threats, we proposed 17 countermeasures. At the same time, I call on all people across Taiwan to unite and work together to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and protect our freedom and democracy.

No matter what threats or challenges we face, we must continue to move forward, never turning back, in order to honor the sacrifices of our predecessors who fought for the beautiful life we enjoy today.

Since I became the chairman of the DPP, every time I walk into the central party headquarters and see the photo of the founding 18-member group on the wall, I feel a deeper sense of connection.

I am deeply grateful and in awe of the founding members of the DPP, who were brave and fearless in 1986, a time when Taiwan was still under martial law and opposition parties were banned. They risked their lives to break the party ban and establish the Democratic Progressive Party.

I also deeply admire and thank all past party chairpersons and the DPP pioneers who stood with the people of Taiwan, on one hand breaking the party ban, lifting press restrictions, and lifting martial law, and on the other hand pushing for the full reform of the national legislature, direct presidential elections, freedom of speech, and popular sovereignty.

Especially when I look at the photo of Mr. Fu Cheng in the founding group, I am reminded of what he once said: “What I am pursuing in Taiwan, even at the cost of freedom and even life, is first and foremost democracy, second is democracy, third is democracy, and apart from democracy, there is nothing but democracy.”

This is why I asked former Chairman Yu Shyi-kun to form a “Deepening the Founding Spirit Group" to compile the DPP's history, so that we will not forget our party’s founding spirit, instead passing it on to future generations and continuing to work for Taiwan's democracy.

Dear comrades, in order to build a better democracy and a better Taiwan, we must learn from the sacrifice and dedication of our predecessors and shoulder the mission of the new era.

First, we must protect sovereignty and defend democracy:

We all know that there is no country without sovereignty, and no freedom without democracy.

We must be particularly vigilant against China’s efforts to exploit our diversity and openness to infiltrate Taiwan and harm our democracy.

In the face of China’s military intimidation, we must continue to strengthen our national defense. In addition to procuring military equipment, we must integrate civilian research capabilities, promote defense self-sufficiency, and build a national defense system for all.

To counter China’s infiltration and united front threats, we must improve the resilience of the entire society. We must leverage the power of civil society to participate in and organize civic education, improve media literacy, enhance national security awareness, and unite the people to resist division.

Second, we must fight for the economy and assist the disadvantaged:

In the past year, the rapidly changing global political and economic landscape has presented both challenges and opportunities for Taiwan. We must enhance Taiwan’s economic resilience, focus on Taiwan’s development while also positioning ourselves globally, and expand into diverse international markets.

To enhance economic resilience, we must understand the needs of various industries, improve the investment environment, and leverage Taiwan’s advantages in technology and innovation to attract more foreign investment.

At the same time, we must help domestic small and medium-sized enterprises transform and upgrade, adjust Taiwan’s economic structure, and enhance our international competitiveness.

While working hard for economic growth, we must also ensure balanced development across Taiwan, achieving intergenerational justice and ensuring that all people share in the fruits of economic progress.

Therefore, we must remain close to civil society, engage in dialogue, understand the needs of different groups, and ensure that national policies take care of every level of society.

We must also expand investment in public infrastructure to drive local prosperity, reduce the urban-rural gap, balance development across Taiwan, and ensure everyone can live and work in peace and contentment.

To build a better democracy and a better Taiwan, the power of civil society is indispensable. Without a strong civil society, there would be no vibrant democratic Taiwan today.

Taiwan society holds a precious force that emerges when the country is in crisis. Whether it was in the 1990 Wild Lily Student Movement, where students called for the dissolution of the National Assembly, abolition of the Temporary Provisions, a national conference, and a political and economic reform timetable; or the 2014 Sunflower Movement, when citizens stood up to prevent the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement and refuse to allow Taiwan to move toward a pro-China path.

In these civil movements, the DPP has always stood side by side with the people, supporting social consensus, defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, and safeguarding our democracy.

Now, as China’s military threats against Taiwan draw international attention, groups such as the G7 have repeatedly issued statements highlighting the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for global security and prosperity. They have also emphasized opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.

While the international community is on alert over China’s expansion of power, the national defense budget and national security laws proposed by our government are being blocked and boycotted by the opposition.

In this dire internal and external situation, the people of Taiwan are increasingly aware of the nation’s security, and this precious force has emerged once again. Not only did “bluebirds” fly out, the citizens have also initiated a mass recall on their own initiative. The DPP must walk alongside the citizens and shoulder together the responsibility of protecting the country.

In the past, our respected democratic predecessor, the late Huang Hsin-chieh, once called out loudly to the people: "Let’s move forward together! Towards freedom! Towards democracy!"

Dear democratic partners, let us follow in the footsteps of our democratic predecessors, deepen democracy, and build a better Taiwan for the next generation! Thank you, everyone!