Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) Developing the domestic defense industry is not to provoke Beijing but to demonstrate Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a rally in Taipei on Friday evening as she called for support for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential ticket.
Tsai made the comment at the rally attended by mostly young supporters. She compared stepping up efforts to boost the country’s defense capability with installing a door lock to prevent one’s house from being broken into.
Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait has been a consensus among the international community, the president said, adding that the “world will come to Taiwan’s aid” if “Taiwan shows its determination to defend itself.”
Noting that the promotion of Taiwan’s defense industry is among the many policies she has pushed for over the past eight years, Tsai urged supporters to vote for DPP presidential nominee Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), saying that they “will do better [and] do more.”
According to Tsai, Lai, having shared her burden of responsibility since taking up the role of vice president in 2020, has become a leader with much more experience and prudence.
Hsiao, she went on, had facilitated 15 U.S. arms sales to Taiwan under the government of President Joe Biden and the signing of a trade agreement with the U.S. under a bilateral trade initiative during her three years of services as the country’s envoy to Washington.
“I will [leave office] with ease” if the DPP ticket wins the presidential election slated for Jan. 13, 2024 and take up the duties, added Tsai, who is set to end her second term in May 2024 and is restricted from running again due to term limits.
In his remarks, Lai reiterated his commitment to proceed with Tsai’s policy with “a steady approach” and “defend Taiwan with strong resolve.”
“The current Lai Ching-te is confident in picking up the baton from President Tsai and continue safeguarding Taiwan,” Lai told more than 10,000 attendees who had registered for the event.
He pledged to lead Taiwan and strive for peace at a time when the country “faces a unique political situation,” without specifying.
According to the DPP, the rally, featuring social media influencers such as Ili Cheng (鄭家純) and Huang Yi-hsuan (黃以萱), who is known as the founder of “Mindi World News,” was held to mobilize young supporters.
Also attending the event were DDP legislative candidates Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤), Hsieh Pei-fen (謝佩芬), Jean Kuo (郭昱晴), as well as the Social Democratic Party’s Miao Po-ya (苗博雅), who has received the DPP’s backing to run for legislator.
