Hsiao Bi-khim (Hsiao, Vice President of Taiwan)

But we also count on the United States and others to also stand with our friends and our partners.

Well, besides those who have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a larger number of countries, most of them democratic and freedom-loving countries, have come out to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.

They have also highlighted the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The United States, for example, we don't have formal diplomatic ties.

However, through the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S.

continues to help Taiwan

fortify our ability to defend ourselves, including through the sale of defense articles and other initiatives supported by the National Defense Authorization Act.

And other countries around the world, especially in our own neighborhood,

the Japanese, the Filipinos, for example, are also facing a heightened degree of coercion from the People's Republic of China.

China, through their activities in the South China Sea, through military drills, much more intensified military presence in this region, are also posing potential threats to our other

partners in this neighborhood.

Now, the Chinese military presence has gone as far as Australia and close to New Zealand in the Tasman Sea, and their intentions obviously do not stop with Taiwan.

And so I think it's all the more important that there is a greater degree of understanding this, but also in working together to fortify our defenses.

We in Taiwan believe in sustaining peace through strength.

We are all peace-loving people.

We certainly do not want to see conflict.

we'll do everything we can to prevent a war or conflict from happening.

But Taiwan alone will not be enough to deter the aggression.

And we do need to work to further establish partnerships that will support the deterrence against a conflict.

Well, first let me talk about the tariffs.