2022-07-17
Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen's Speech at the 1st Plenary of the 20th Party Congress
The DPP held the 1st plenary of its 20th Party Congress today (17th), with the theme of "Unite Taiwan and Safeguard its Future（團結台灣，顧好未來）," appealing to the various challenges Taiwanese people have faced these days and their prospects for the future.
The opening ceremony was unveiled by thanking public health professionals and people from all walks of life for guarding Taiwan. Then, a lineup of strong candidates was launched. It is hoped that during the election at the end of the year, we will again earn more recognition from supporters using the slogan "DPP Governance, Committed to Excellence."
In addition, the Premier of the Executive Yuan, Su Tseng-Chang, also explained to all party representatives the achievements and milestones of "Safeguarding Taiwan" at the opening ceremony.
The full text of Chairperson Tsai Ing-Wen's speech at the opening ceremony of the Party Congress is as follows:
Premier Su Tseng-Chang, former Vice President Chen Chien-Jen, former Chairperson Yao Chia-Wen, former Chairperson Cho Jung-Tai, President of the Legislative Yuan You Si-Kun, Secretary-General Lin Hsi-Yao, former Premier Chang Chun-Hsiung, all party representatives, mayoral, and county candidates from our team, good afternoon.
Today is the DPP's Party Congress, held just before the 2022 local elections. The 18 mayoral and county candidates are all standing here, showing solidarity. We are confident that we will win this election.
During this period, the domestic pandemic has stabilized, and our lives are returning to normal. Today, public health representatives and professionals are here onsite. I would like to once again express my deepest respect and gratitude to all medical workers and epidemic prevention partners.
As the ruling party facing the post-pandemic era, we cannot let our guard down, and we must be well-prepared.
Recently, Japan's former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, passed away. We have lost a good friend. Former Prime Minister Abe once said that the world must recognize Taiwan as a mature democracy. A prouder Taiwan will become a stronger guardian of freedom and human rights and is in the world’s best interests.
We will remember the aspirations of our old friend. And every DPP member takes responsibility for our democracy and freedom, ensuring that Taiwan can thrive despite these challenging times.
Uniting Taiwan remains a key mission of the DPP. An additional mission of the party is to adhere to the spirit of reform, work hard, and secure our future. Over the past two years, we have maintained our commitment to reform despite the ongoing pandemic.
To improve our national defense capabilities, we established the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency (AOMDA) and began reforming the mobilization system of reserve forces.
To implement the net-zero emissions goal by 2050, we proposed a roadmap for transformation and strived to promote Taiwan's sustainable development.
As Premier Su said, we have given parents the support needed to combat decreasing birth rates. Whether doubling the parental allowance, increasing the maternity health examination subsidy, or providing grants, in addition to parental leave allowance, we have done it all.
We also strived to provide the best care for our children: air-conditioning in all classrooms and nutritious lunches. We did it.
At the same time, the government has also led in promoting higher wages, raising the minimum wage each year, expanding housing subsidies, and continuing to build social housing in hopes of easing the burden on our youth.
These reforms and social care policies are the DPP's commitment to the people of Taiwan. Taking care of Taiwan means looking after the next generation and reassuring previous generations.
"Unite Taiwan and Safeguard its Future" is the theme of this plenary and the mission of the DPP. In addition to being "ready to take action," the DPP also wants to "take the right action." We have not forgotten our responsibility to reform, nor have we neglected the challenges of reality. We are ready to lead Taiwan to the global stage of a changing world.
The post-pandemic world is full of challenges and opportunities, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine and global inflation.
Yet we maintain faith in ourselves. Taiwan's economy is sound, and many industries have seized strategic positions to restructure the global supply chain.
More importantly, Taiwanese society is resilient and Taiwanese people have the courage and wisdom to turn crises into opportunities.
The ruling party will make use of these advantages, work to maintain economic growth and price stability, and pay special attention to the needs of essential workers and young people.
In the past week, a new wave of national travel subsidy programs has been launched, and the add-on sports voucher has also been announced. As life returns to normal, the ruling party will seize this opportunity to revive the economy, carefully evaluate the schedule to ease border controls, and strive to allow international tourists to enter Taiwan.
I invite party members to publicize these measures. This will enable Taiwan’s industries to seize post-pandemic business opportunities as we work towards returning to pre-pandemic life.
In this next stage, the central and local governments will collaborate to promote Taiwan’s development.
Over the past eight years, DPP county and city heads have shown outstanding achievements in governance. The quality of public service has improved, construction has flourished, and local people have regained their sense of glory — the city has been reborn. These are the fruits of the central and local governments’ joint labor.
Within the next four years, in response to the challenges of the post-pandemic era, we must accelerate construction, ensure industrial upgrades, and enable Taiwan to shine internationally through diplomacy. All of these goals also require collaboration between central and local authorities.
Taiwan is like a baseball team; the central and local governments have their respective positions. Only by sticking together and complementing each other can we manifest our skills and win.
Therefore, during the upcoming November 26 election, we will introduce the DPP’s strongest, most experienced, and most suitable candidates for local development needs.
In northern Taiwan, around the capital, we have Tsai Shih-Ying in Keelung, Chen Shih-Chung in Taipei, Lin Chia-Lung in New Taipei, Lin Chih-Chien in Taoyuan, and Shen Hui-Hung in Hsinchu City. They will join forces and govern together to enhance life in the capital metropolitan area.
In central Taiwan, we have Hsu Ting-Zhen in Miaoli, Tsai Chi-Chang in Taichung, Huang Shiou-Fang in Changhua, and Tsai Pei-Hui in Nantou. They have rich experience and a deep understanding of the local area and will further the construction and development of central Taiwan.
In southern Taiwan, we have Liu Chien-Kuo in Yunlin, Weng Chang-Liang in Chiayi County, Lee Chun-Yi in Chiayi City, Huang Wei-Che in Tainan, and Chen Chi-Mai in Kaohsiung, and Chou Chun-Mi in Pingtung. Their diligence and professionalism embody "DPP Governance, Committed to Excellence."
In eastern Taiwan, we have Chiang Tsung-Yuan in Yilan, Kolas Yotaka in Hualien, and Liu Chao-Hao in Taitung. They are sincere, dependable, and embrace a holistic view of governance. Let us strive to achieve majority support and win back the glory of eastern Taiwan.
The candidates we have put forward are experienced in politics, have an international perspective, and are enthusiastic about local service. Most importantly, they are also determined and support the DPP's slogan "ready to take action."
We are confident that "the central government will achieve the best results and local governments will recommend the best talents." The DPP supports only candidates with the most advanced talents for governance.
The 2018 local elections were a lesson for the DPP. But we all know that this setback enabled us to be better. It allowed us to realize our commitments and fulfill our promises.
This time, we are prepared. We have displayed our political achievements and introduced our strongest candidates to win support from the Taiwanese people!
Only by winning this election can we commit to our reformation goals; only by winning this election can we demonstrate our potential.
Therefore, in the upcoming election, we must clarify our values, communicate and defend our ideals, and win the people's approval. This is democracy.
Speak our philosophy, demonstrate our potential, and embody "DPP Governance, Committed to Excellence." If the DPP wins, so will Taiwan.
In the election, voters will decide upon a constitutional referendum extending civil rights to age 18. This is one of the earliest propositions introduced by the DPP, which has now gained cross-party support and may be included in the Constitution.
The DPP strongly supports this proposition; let us "democratize, advance, and support 18-year-olds." I would also like to remind everyone that the threshold for constitutional revision is high, and the civil rights of 18-year-olds will shape Taiwan's future.
Therefore, I ask everyone to seize this opportunity to publicize and advocate for the referendum: at temple entrances, at night markets, when sending off relatives, and when attending events. Let us enable our youth to decide this country's future.
"Unite Taiwan and Safeguard its Future." Let those who take action be victorious. Make Taiwan's democracy more progressive and make this country stronger! Let us fight together, thank you.
