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       民進黨主席蔡英文今(23)日中午出席民進黨紀念創黨28年外交使節酒會，並對參與的各國使節外賓發表英文演說。蔡主席以「Progress for Taiwan─ Connecting to the World through Democracy Liberty and Social Justice (為台灣而進步─以民主、自由、社會正義連結世界)」為題致詞如下：

 

       致大使閣下、外交社群的成員、各位傑出的貴賓、各位女士與先生：

 

      午安！作為民主進步黨的黨主席，很榮幸歡迎您前來，參加這場慶祝本黨成立28周年的酒會。

 

      現場我看到了許多老朋友，當然，也有許多我期待能進一步認識的新朋友。謝謝你們，在這裡與我們共同歡慶此特別時刻。

 

      28年前，當台灣仍處在戒嚴體制之下，一群年輕而勇敢的運動人士，無懼被監禁或遭受生命的威脅，為了台灣人民的政治自由與民主權利主張而走上街頭。他們突破了黨禁，創立了民進黨。

 

       民進黨一直在台灣進步的路上，扮演重要的角色。從1986年9月28日開始，走過了漫漫長路：從街頭示威、集會與政治運動，曾經執政；現在是台灣最大的在野黨。歷經試煉與磨難，民進黨對守護民主與提升人民生活的堅定承諾，從來沒有動搖。

 

       民進黨也是台灣政治體制結構改革的重要推手。在台灣人民的支持下，民進黨得以協助這個國家，從一黨獨大的威權體制，進步到多黨政治的民主國家。更重要的是，在促進從根本上改善台灣人民生活的政策上，民進黨也扮演不可或缺的角色。

 

       多年來，我們的政策主張的效用與迫切，已經過許多次公開辯論與選舉的檢驗。民進黨現在懷抱著自信與韌性，更堅強地屹立不搖。

 

       我們的民主並不完美，如同最近的許多政治事件與社會運動所反映那般。然而，民進黨有義務與責任，維護人民的權益，並將國家導回正軌。

 

       對於國內，民進黨正努力回應人民的需要。我們不斷尋求能回應人民對就業、食品安全、可負擔的住宅、永續能源與各種社會服務可行與否的憂慮。我們的黨主張真正的社會正義，如此才能使台灣人民能有公平、平等、自由的機會追求他們的夢想。這是為什麼我們的立法委員、縣市首長總是能獲得幾乎所有調查中滿意度分數最高，或名列前茅的殊榮，並在選區獲得高支持率。

 

      此外，我們深切的注意到1960年代依賴出口的經濟成長模式，伴隨在過去幾十年驅動台灣經濟的資訊通訊科技導向與代工模式，已經不能滿足這個國家的需求。工作機會被外包，薪資停滯，所得分配與公共福利越發不均。受良好教育或取得頂尖大學文憑，就能得到優渥的薪資與穩定的職業，已是不再理所當然。

 

      我們也清楚，全球化對台灣而言是正面臨的現實。我們能夠多快速與成功地從依賴製造業的經濟體，轉移到奠基於創新、創意、公平分配的經濟體，將決定我們國家的競爭力，甚至可能決定國家的生存。台灣的經濟需要改革與新的發展模式。民進黨正全力研擬出一個全面、可實行的計畫。

 

　　在8月29日，民進黨在台中舉辦第一次「公民經濟會議」，往後也將舉辦一系列公開與民眾討論的經濟會議。這場會議涵蓋許多主題：從中小企業創新的重要性，到地方經濟體正面臨的挑戰，也加入公民團體、企業主、學者、專家的參與。

 

       經由這些會議，我們努力就回應以下問題，尋求社會共識：關於經濟發展的目標是什麼，以及我們未來應該擁有什麼樣的經濟成長模式。在過去，經濟政策的產生往往缺少公眾的意見投入。現在，我們知道將大眾的需要與考量加入經濟政策制定過程的重要性，如此才能確保我們的目標符合社會需求。

 

      我們需要管理(harness)全球化，但我們也需要確保全球化的好處能被共享，而非被少數人獨占。因此，我們也歡迎我們在台灣的國際友人與代表給予評論與建議。畢竟，我們都一起身處全球化之中，我們要確定台灣能夠承擔起在全球化的過程中，有利於台灣，也有利於我們貿易夥伴的責任。

 

     我們也領導對環境保護的支持，並擁護更具永續性、清潔、再生的能源計畫。

 

     在國際上，我們以維持亞太與台灣海峽和平與穩定為最優先。

 

       作為一個島嶼國家，台灣從好幾個世紀的以來，一直積極與世界交流。為了持續台灣與世界的往來，我們走向世界，並倡議台灣應有效參與國際與區域組織。這也是為什麼民進黨支持台灣參與《跨太平洋夥伴協定》與《區域全面經濟夥伴協定》的原因。

 

      我們與世界交流的努力，也包含與中國進行積極的交流。我們與中國的交往，不只對國際社會及中國來說，更重要的是對台灣人民而言，將會是具一致性、負責任、可預測的。

 

      同時，我們依然保持警覺，以捍衛我們得來不易的自由，與決定自己未來的權利。我們將採取必要措施，保護台灣人民能繼續這些的自由。我們支持對台灣國防有更多的投資，已達到足已自衛的目標。我們也了解避免衝突的重要性，也將加強協助解決長期衝突，例如危及重要區域穩定的東海與南海爭端。

 

       對我們在國際上的朋友而言，台灣會是一個負責任的盟友。台灣對菲律賓洪災與日本海嘯的立即回應，展現台灣的人民樂意成為可靠的國際夥伴。我們做足準備，也有能力處理緊急事件，得以貢獻於救災、救援、重建。尤其當全球暖化、人為災害帶來的挑戰更為複雜與頻繁時，我們更想為此貢獻。就目前的狀況而言，我們所處的區域更加需要台灣，台灣也需要區域的協助。我們保證若有需要，台灣已經做足準備。

 

      在過去28年，民進黨支持並不斷持續推動民主的基本價值。民進黨也毫不懈怠的促進台灣的國際參與，我們希望國際友人們能給予我們支持。

 

       許多重要的大事正等待著我們。離地方選舉已經只剩約兩個月的時間。如果你看看四周，你會看見本黨的同仁，以及我們的政策幕僚。我們有堅強的團隊，我們一起努力，不只為勝選，更為了要帶領台灣前進，使台灣成為更好的地方。

 

       台灣的民主需要您的支持。在我們之中，我確信您會找到可靠的夥伴，足以向世界貢獻民主與進步的朋友。

 

      我的致詞就到這邊，感謝各位，在今天加入我們，一同見證民進黨的轉變與成長，以及一同慶祝本黨成立28周年。

 

       敬我們的友誼，也敬民主！

 

蔡主席英文致詞原文如下:

 

Excellencies Members of the diplomatic community distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen:

 

Good afternoon.  As Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party it is my pleasure to welcome you to the reception marking the 28th anniversary of our party’s founding. 

 

I see many old friends in the room as well as new ones whom I look forward to getting to know better. I thank you all for being here with us to celebrate this very special occasion.

 

Twenty-eight years ago when Taiwan was still under Martial Law a group of young courageous activists fearless of imprisonment and the threats to their lives marched in the streets of Taiwan to advocate for political freedom and democratic rights for all people in Taiwan. They broke the ban on political parties and established the DPP. 

 

The DPP has always played an essential part in Taiwan’s progressive path and the Party has come a long way since September 28 1986: from street demonstrations rallies and political movements to head of government; and then as Taiwan’s largest opposition party.  Through trials and tribulations the DPP’s steadfast commitment to democracy and to bettering the lives of the Taiwanese people has never faltered. 

 

The DPP has played a very important role in pushing for structural changes in Taiwan’s political system.  With the support of the Taiwanese people the DPP helped the country move from a one-party authoritarian state to a multi-party democracy. More importantly the DPP played an imperative role in promoting policies that brought about a fundamental improvement in the quality of life in Taiwan.  

 

Over the years the validity and appeal of our positions have been tested through public debates and elections. The DPP now stands stronger than ever with confidence and resilience.

 

Our democracy is not perfect as manifested by recent political events and social movements. But it is the obligation and responsibility of the DPP to watch out for the interests of the people and steer the country back to the right track. 

 

On the domestic front the DPP is working hard to respond to the needs of the people. We seek to address their concerns regarding their jobs food safety affordable housing sustainable energy and the availability of social services. Our party stands for true social justice so that the Taiwanese people can have fair equal and free opportunities to pursue their dreams. This is the reason why our legislators county commissioners and mayors have almost always ranked the highest and received top scores of satisfaction and approval ratings from constituents in virtually all surveys. 

 

Furthermore we are keenly aware that the export-reliant economic growth model of the 1960s followed by the Information and Communication Technology-driven and OEM models that fueled Taiwan’s economy in the past decade are no longer sufficient to meet our country’s needs. Jobs have been outsourced and salaries have stagnated. Income distribution and public welfare have become increasingly uneven. The assumption that a good education and a diploma from a top university will help one secure a well-paying and stable job is no longer true. 

 

We also know that globalization is not a matter of choice for Taiwan. It is a reality. How quickly and successfully we can transform ourselves from an economy that relies heavily on manufacturing to one that is based on knowledge innovation and creativity will determine the competitiveness —perhaps even the survival — of our nation. Taiwan’s economy needs reform and a new development framework. The DPP is diligently coming up with a sound workable plan. 

 

On August 29 the DPP held its first 'Citizens’ Economic Conference' in Taichung City. This was the first in what will be a series of open economic town hall meetings held across the nation. The conference covers a number of topics from the importance of innovation particularly in small and medium sized enterprises to the challenges local economies are faced with such as how the agricultural industry can remain competitive with a more open and globalized market. The conference also elicited the participation of civic groups business owners academics and experts. 

 

Through those conferences we work toward a public consensus in answering questions about the objectives of economic development and how our model for the future growth should look like. In the past economic planning often occurred without public input. We now know how important it is to bring the desires and concerns of the public back into the process to ensure that our goals align with those of society.

 

We want to harness globalization but we also want to make sure that its fruits are enjoyed by all not just a few. That is why we also welcome comments and input from our international friends and representatives here in Taiwan. After all we’re all in this together and we want to make sure that Taiwan can do its part to ensure this process is beneficial for us and our friends and partners.

 

We have also taken the lead in supporting environmental protection and championed for policies to support an energy plan that is more sustainable clean and renewable.

 

Internationally we place no greater priority than in the maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and across the Taiwan Strait. 

 

As an island-nation Taiwan has actively engaged the world over the centuries. We seek to continue that process by reaching out to the world and advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global and regional organizations. This is why the DPP supports Taiwan’s participation in the TPP and RCEP.      

 

Our efforts of engagement also include seeking to establish constructive dialogue with China. Our engagement with China will be consistent responsible and predictable not only to the international community and to China but most importantly to the people of Taiwan. 

 

At the same time we remain vigilant in the defense of our hard-earned freedoms and right to decide our own future. We will do what is necessary to ensure that the people of Taiwan continue to enjoy such liberties. We support more investment in what it needs to secure Taiwan’s defense.  We also understand the value of conflict avoidance and intend to redouble our efforts to help bring solutions to longstanding disputes such as in the South and East China Sea that threaten to destabilize this all-important region.

 

We also stand for Taiwan as a responsible ally to our friends. Taiwan’s immediate responses to floods in the Philippines and the tsunami in Japan show that the people of Taiwan are willing and reliable international partners. We are ready and capable to deal with emergencies and to contribute to disaster relief rescue and reconstruction. And we want to do more as the many challenges posed by global warming and man-made disasters become more complex and frequent. In the current context the region needs us more than ever and we need help from the region as well. We intend to make sure that we are ready if called upon.

 

For the past 28 years the DPP has stood for and has persistently promoted the fundamental value of democracy. The DPP also worked tirelessly to enhance Taiwan’s international participation and we hope our international friends will lend us their support.  

 

Important events lie ahead of us. Local elections are just about two months away. If you look around you will see colleagues from our party as well as some of our policy advisers. We have a solid team and collectively we will work not only to win elections but more importantly to ensure that we carry Taiwan forward and make Taiwan a better place. 

 

Taiwan’s democracy needs your support. And in us I assure you that you will find a reliable partner a friend who is capable of contributing to democracy and progress around the world.

 

Without further ado I thank you all for joining us today to witness the DPP’s transformation and growth and to celebrate our 28th anniversary.

 

A toast: To friendship and to democracy!