Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen delivers remarks at Hudson's virtual year-end celebration.

Hudson Institute was honored to virtually host Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen for her perspectives on the future of the free world during the Institute's 2020 Year-End Celebration. As the leader of a nation on the frontlines of confronting authoritarianism, few policymakers today offer a more timely and relevant outlook.

See below for key takeaways from President Tsai's Hudson remarks.

5 Key Takeaways

Highlighted remarks from President Tsai Ing-wen's speech at Hudson's Year-End Celebration. Quotes have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

1. Growing authoritarianism threatens the free world:

Today the world is once again being faced with fundamental questions of freedom or authoritarianism. As we look at Hong Kong, we see what was once one of the Asia’s most free and prosperous cities descend into fear, anxiety, and instability. In the South China Sea, what was once an unfettered region critical to international maritime traffic has become highly militarized. In places such as Xinjiang, growing religious oppression has led to serious international concern. All of this is leading further and further away from the 21st century so many of us had once envisioned.

2. Taiwan aims to coexist peacefully with the People's Republic of China:

We are watching with alarm the increasing provocation from across the Taiwan Strait. PLA fighter jets and naval ships now cross the median line of the strait with regularity, raising the risk of accidents and miscalculations. The PRC has worked to shut the 23 million people of Taiwan out of international organizations...They are also engaged in disinformation and malign influence campaigns that are designed to cast doubt on our institutions and test weaknesses in our democracy.

I want to be clear. We do not desire this sort of cross-strait relationship. What we seek is constructive cross-strait dialogue in order to peacefully address differences of opinion and perspective without the need for preconditions. We see a necessity for both sides to find a way to coexist peacefully based on mutual respect, goodwill, and understanding. 

3. Taiwan's defense spending will reach more than 2.2% of its GDP:

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...

We must also be able to deter military adventurism and defend ourselves in the face of growing military tensions. Over the past four years, I have acted on my commitments to increase our defense budget, erasing years of painful cutbacks. We expect that by next year our regular defense spending will reach 14.9 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for more than 2.2% of our GDP. I am determined to see this trend continue.

I appreciate that the U.S. has made available new fighter jets as well as new asymmetric capabilities in line with our requests. We are also devoting greater focus towards building up domestic defense industries. The security relationship is a highlight of our relationship, and I look forward to further discussions about our common defense picture with the U.S.

4.  Supply chain security, 5G technology and global health have become economic priorities for Taiwan:

As a result of the economic and regulatory reforms we have put into place, we have regained our leadership position amongst the Four Asian Tigers. We have continued to maintain positive economic momentum despite the global downturn. Meanwhile, our cutting edge industries have become crucial to global supply chains, and we are welcoming record numbers of inbound investments.

Last month, we held our first Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue with the U.S., sharing ways we can enhance cooperation on supply chain security, 5G technologies, and global health. Both sides will also move towards formalizing a new agreement on science and technology. But we believe that this relationship still has room to grow. As one article from Hudson states, “This is the right moment for a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement.” I could not have said it better myself.

5. Taiwan serves as a linchpin of freedom in the Indo-Pacific:

As we look back at a year full of challenges and opportunities, I am confident that Taiwan now stands on stronger footing. The actions we have taken to strengthen our democracy, to enhance our defense capability, to provide for greater economic security, the purpose of all this is to better secure our future. Taiwan is an indispensable example of freedom, democracy, and free markets. This holds profound significance for the entire Indo-Pacific region, and I’m determined to see this continued... The road to freedom and democracy is long and never easy, but it is one that is always worth taking.

Go Deeper: U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation