President Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in May 20 as the 14th Republic of China (Taiwan) president in Taipei City, vowing in her inauguration address delivered before more than 20,000 people from home and abroad outside the Presidential Office to take Taiwan’s democratic development to the next level by ushering in a new era of cooperation, efficiency and pragmatism.

“We will work to maintain peace and stability in cross-strait relations,” Tsai said. “Cross-strait relations have become an integral part of building regional peace and collective security.

“In this process, Taiwan will be a staunch guardian of peace that actively participates and is never absent. We will make efforts to facilitate domestic reconciliation, strengthen democratic institutions, consolidate consensus and present a united position to the outside world.”

According to Tsai, dialogue and communication are crucial to the success of this approach, adding that the government will work to maintain the existing cross-strait mechanisms for that purpose.

“By existing political foundations, I refer to a number of key elements. The first element is the fact of the 1992 talks between the two institutions representing each side across the strait, when there was joint acknowledgement of setting aside differences to seek common ground. This is a historical fact.”

The two institutions are Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation and Beijing-headquartered Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait—semiofficial organizations responsible for opening and furthering cross-strait communications.

“The second element is the existing ROC constitutional order. The third element pertains to the outcomes of over 20 years of negotiations and interactions across the strait. And the fourth relates to the democratic principle and prevalent will of the people of Taiwan.”

Tsai said Taiwan will become a “proactive communicator of peace” and adhere to the principles of maintaining peace and sharing interests. To this end, the government proposes setting aside disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea so as to enable joint development, she added.

“Taiwan has been a model citizen in global civil society,” Tsai said. “We have persisted in upholding the universal values of peace, freedom, democracy and human rights. It is with this spirit we join the alliance of shared values and concerns for global issues. We will continue to deepen our relationships with friendly democracies including the U.S., Japan and Europe to advance multifaceted cooperation on the basis of shared values.”

Tsai said Taiwan will also not be absent on the prevention of global warming and climate change, a presence extending to international cooperation on emerging global issues like humanitarian aid, medical assistance, disease prevention and research, anti-terrorism and transnational crime.

According to Tsai, Taiwan is to participate in international economic and trade cooperation, as well as take part in regional trade groupings like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

In keeping with her New Southbound Policy, Tsai said Taiwan will expand its dynamic relationships with India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations members. Southbound development is an important plank in her New Model for Economic Development for Taiwan.

Stimulating momentum for growth and reshaping Taiwan’s global competitiveness are a top priority for the government. This is to be achieved through promotion of five major innovative industries.

Strengthening the social safety net is also key for the government, as well as transforming Taiwan’s economic structures and achieving social fairness and justice. This includes pension reform, long-term health care and deepening Taiwan’s democratic institutions.

“The people elected a new president and new government with one single expectation: solving problems,” Tsai said, adding that she vowed to face the challenge honestly and shoulder the responsibilities. “I invite every fellow citizen to carry the future of this country.”

Nearly 700 dignitaries from 59 countries and territories, including all 22 ROC diplomatic allies, attended the inauguration featuring local musical and cultural presentations such as the “March of Taiwan Democracy.” The event concluded with a rendition of “Ilha Formosa,” a song outlawed during the 38-year period of martial law, and a flyover by the ROC air force Thunder Tigers Aerobatic Team. (YHC-E)

The full text of Tsai’s inaugural address is available at the website of the Office of the President.

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw