At the invitation of US-based think tanks, the Hudson Institute and the Center for American Progress (CAP), President Tsai Ing-wen participated in a videoconference on the theme "President Tsai Ing-wen Discusses the Diplomatic, Security and Economic Challenges Facing Taiwan," delivering a speech entitled "Protecting Taiwan as a bastion of freedom in the Indo-Pacific."
Reiterating what she said in her inauguration speech this past May, President Tsai mentioned four principles in our management of cross-strait relations: peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue. With these four principles, she said, we will seek to continue our engagement across the Taiwan Strait and will always be willing to work together in the interests of peaceful coexistence and to prevent a downward trend in cross-strait relations. As for Taiwan-US relations, the president stated that in her second term, she will continue our cooperation with the US, adding that foremost amongst her priorities is to establish a constructive security relationship, built on the clear understanding of our shared interests in the region. The president said that the second area of focus is to begin negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA), and the third priority is to work with the US to strengthen engagement with other like-minded democracies.