DPP Presidential hopeful Tsai Ing-wen spoke in New York City before local Taiwanese American organizations and supporters on Friday, June 5, as part of her tour around the United States. Tsai spoke in Mandarin and Taiwanese but also prepared an English segment directed at young Taiwanese Americans.
Tsai painted Taiwan as an innovative and progressive nation and how the Sunflower Movement, with its cries for transparency in government, illustrated that “the Taiwanese value the quality in their democracy, freedom of speech, and right to assemble.”
Tsai then explained Asia’s economy is changing: it has shifted its focus from mass production and cheap labor to the improvement of labor conditions, pursuit of sustainable development, green energy, technological innovation, and creativity. Tsai believes Taiwan specifically has great potential in this transforming region in the fields of advanced technology, art & creativity, cloud-based services, and brand marketing. Part of her campaign is to support policies promoting sustainability and innovation.
Tsai added that Asia’s evolution calls for regional peace; that “peaceful resolution to conflict is what people desire the most.” She believes Taiwan is ready to serve as a model for democracy, freedom, sustainability, and peace for its neighbors.
Dr. Tsai ran against President Ma Ying-jeou in the 2012 presidential race and was previously the DPP chairperson from 2008 to 2012. She was a law professor in Taipei who advised several government offices such as the Fair Trade Commission and Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) before getting recruited by President Chen Shui-bian as the MAC chairperson in 2000, and she formally joined the DPP in 2004 and became a top legislator.
Watch Tsai’s New York speech below.
Photo credits: Enbion Micah Aan
OFTaiwan 