Volodymyr Zelenskiy
“Of course, I'm grateful to all of our partners who have helped us with air defence: each air defence system and each air defence missile is literally saving lives. It's important that everything works out as quickly as possible: every new agreement with our partners to strengthen our air defence, every initiative from Ukraine's friends to help us, particularly with finding and supplying Patriot [anti-aircraft missile systems]. Ukraine needs at least seven [Patriot] systems. Our partners have these Patriots. Russian terrorists can see that unfortunately our partners aren't as determined to protect Europe from terror as they are to do so in the Middle East. But [our partners] can give us the air defence systems that we need. We mustn't waste time: we need to signal determination.”
13 minutes ago
Antony Blinken
“I saw that Huawei just put out a new laptop that it boasted was AI capable, that uses an Intel chip. I think it demonstrates that what we're focused on is only the most sensitive technology that could pose a threat to our security. We're not focused on cutting off trade, or for that matter containing or holding back China.”
4 hours ago
Volodymyr Zelenskiy
“Of course, I'm grateful to all of our partners who have helped us with air defence: each air defence system and each air defence missile is literally saving lives. It's important that everything works out as quickly as possible: every new agreement with our partners to strengthen our air defence, every initiative from Ukraine's friends to help us, particularly with finding and supplying Patriot [anti-aircraft missile systems]. Ukraine needs at least seven [Patriot] systems. Our partners have these Patriots. Russian terrorists can see that unfortunately our partners aren't as determined to protect Europe from terror as they are to do so in the Middle East. But [our partners] can give us the air defence systems that we need. We mustn't waste time: we need to signal determination.”
13 minutes ago
Antony Blinken
“I saw that Huawei just put out a new laptop that it boasted was AI capable, that uses an Intel chip. I think it demonstrates that what we're focused on is only the most sensitive technology that could pose a threat to our security. We're not focused on cutting off trade, or for that matter containing or holding back China.”
4 hours ago
“When authoritarian regimes demonstrate expansionist tendencies, democratic countries should come together to stand against them. Taiwan is on the front lines.”
“Here is this island of 23 million people trying hard every day to protect ourselves and protect our democracy and making sure that our people have the kind of freedom they deserve. If we fail, then that means people that believe in these values would doubt whether these are values that they (should) be fighting for.”
“Such an agreement [bilateral investment deal with the EU] will strengthen our mutual interests and solidify our shared values. Taiwan is ready to shoulder its share, and we will not take our partners' support for granted. Taiwan not only shares the EU's values but is a leader in many important technologies.”
“Let us here renew with one another our enduring commitment to a free and democratic constitutional system, our commitment that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China should not be subordinate to each other, our commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty, and our commitment that the future of the Republic of China [Taiwan] must be decided in accordance with the will of Taiwanese.”
“But there should be absolutely no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure. We will continue to bolster our national defence and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us. This is because the path that China has laid out offers neither a free and democratic way of life for Taiwan, nor sovereignty for our 23 million people. The more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China. So I want to remind all my fellow citizens that we do not have the privilege of letting down our guard.”
“Taiwan does not seek military confrontation. It hopes for a peaceful, stable, predictable and mutually-beneficial coexistence with its neighbours. But Taiwan will also do whatever it takes to defend its freedom and democratic way of life. The Indo-Pacific needs a peaceful, stable and transparent environment and there are many opportunities in the region. But this also brings new tensions and systemic contradictions that could have a devastating effect on international security and the global economy if they are not handled carefully. Taiwan is fully committed to collaborating with regional players to prevent armed conflict in the East China, South China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait.”
“Chinese aggression has severely undermined regional peace and stability. Beijing must refrain from going too far and accidentally sparking conflict across the Strait.”
“Taiwan lies along the first island chain, which runs from northern Japan to Borneo; should this line be broken by force, the consequences would disrupt international trade and destabilize the entire western Pacific. In other words, a failure to defend Taiwan would not only be catastrophic for the Taiwanese; it would overturn a security architecture that has allowed for peace and extraordinary economic development in the region for seven decades. Taiwan does not seek military confrontation. It hopes for peaceful, stable, predictable, and mutually beneficial coexistence with its neighbors. But if its democracy and way of life are threatened, Taiwan will do whatever it takes to defend itself.”
“As countries increasingly recognize the threat that the Chinese Communist Party poses, they should understand the value of working with Taiwan. And they should remember that if Taiwan were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic for regional peace and the democratic alliance system. It would signal that in today's global contest of values, authoritarianism has the upper hand over democracy.”
“At this moment of restructuring of the global supply chain, Taiwan must work harder to take the lead in the changes. First, we must continue to pinpoint Taiwan's long-term advantages in high-end hardware manufacturing and improve information security and intellectual property protection to make the country a reliable partner in the global supply chain. Strengthening Taiwan's overall digital power and accelerating the path towards becoming a smart country are the nation's unwavering goals.”
“Joining CPTPP [Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership] will strengthen Taiwan's key global strategic and economic and trade status, and further integrate us with the world.”
“Taiwan is well positioned to serve as an indispensable partner on democratic renewal, and in sectors such as biotechnology, renewable energy and the semiconductor industry. We are willing to shoulder our share of the burden and we will not take our security partner's cavalry for granted. We will always defend our democracy and way of life.”
“Recent changes in the situation in Afghanistan have led to much discussion in Taiwan. I want to tell everyone that Taiwan's only option is to make ourselves stronger, more united and more resolute in our determination to protect ourselves. It's not an option for us to do nothing ... and just to rely on other people's protection.”
“We look back at Taiwan's winding path to democracy tread by forerunners [Lee Teng-hui] and treasure the free air that we enjoy. Every era brings new challenges as we continue deepening Taiwan's democracy. What lies ahead of us is deepening Taiwan's democracy, bringing [the country] to the world and defending democratic values with friends in the international community.”
“We look back at Taiwan's winding path to democracy tread by forerunners and treasure the free air that we enjoy. Every era brings new challenges as we continue deepening Taiwan's democracy. What lies ahead of us is deepening Taiwan's democracy, bringing [the country] to the world and defending democratic values with friends in the international community.”
“We have the determination and capability to complete the task of building our own ships, letting the world see our defense research and development energy. In the future, we might also become a supply source of related equipment and components in Western democracies, driving the upgrading of the defense industry.”
“What we seek is constructive cross-strait dialogue, in order to peacefully address differences of opinion and perspective without the need for preconditions. There is a necessity for both sides to find a way to co-exist peacefully, based on mutual respect, goodwill and understanding. This has been the basis of my cross-strait policy, as it is a position that best serves the interests of peace and stability in the region. While the 23 million people of Taiwan do not want to live in a state of permanent antagonism, we are also determined to safeguard our freedoms and way of life. Together with the U.S. and other international partners, we are also engaged on issues ranging from media literacy to accountable governance. These actions signal to all across the region about the resiliency of our democratic processes.”