00:00Given that pursuit of peace is the ultimate goal, did you get the blessing or was that even something you
00:06were seeking from Xi Jinping to go to the United States as you plan to?
00:11Because we do know reportedly or allegedly Beijing has thwarted President Lai Qingde to cross through the United States or
00:20through Europe to get to Eswatini in Africa.
00:23Yes.
00:24Did you get a sense that Xi Jinping would be okay with you going to the United States as the
00:30leader of the Kuomintang?
00:36Sure, of course. My visit to the United States has never been a secret, and I've been discussing it for
00:41a very long time.
00:42I personally have high expectation for our visit to the U.S., so Beijing is certainly aware of this.
00:47I believe the message is that so far, the responses we have received from Xi Jinping have been positive and
00:54friendly.
01:05The whole world is watching his every word and action closely. He is indeed completely unconventional and unpredictable.
01:13However, I hope that within President Trump's limited terms, I believe he also hopes to create a legacy that will
01:19be forever remembered in history.
01:21If this includes achieving peace in the region, peace across the Taiwan Strait and world peace, I believe it will
01:29be extremely important for President Trump's historical standing.
01:32Do you say you would like to meet Donald Trump? Are there certain assurances that you would like to get
01:42from him as far as the defense of Taiwan or anything? Anything particular assurances you would want to get from
01:49Donald Trump?
01:51I believe the most important message is still peace. And I hope that, as everyone knows, Taiwan is an economy
02:01with very close trade ties to the world. Therefore, world peace, free markets and trade are of paramount importance to
02:09Taiwan.
02:13自由的市場跟貿易,對台灣來講至關重要。Obviously,
02:15President Lai Qingde believes more spending for military, a tea dome for Taiwan, defense spending equals sustainable peace, according to
02:26the ruling party right now.
02:28You believe Taiwan should spend less. Can you give us the number you're thinking the Kuomintang, the KMT would be
02:35OK with and would approve?
02:42In fact, the key point isn't the numbers, but rather that Taiwan needs a genuine defense force capable of self
02:49-defense.
02:49That's why we have continued arms purchases from the U.S. since World War II.
02:54There is no doubt that KMT has a strong support on that.
02:58But the problem with these numbers today is that they lack substance. We can't authorize something without a clear plan.
03:04We can't give the DPP a blank check.
03:07Our difficulty lies in the fact that the specific figures, details and projects involved are unknown.
03:14This is why we can only offer 380 billion Taiwanese dollars at present.
03:18But this is not just 380 billion. We fully support the arms purchase from the U.S.
03:23We fully support the part of the U.S.
03:26I have to ask you about another very sensitive issue and that is of course the differences and the diplomatic
03:32row between Beijing and Tokyo.
03:37Because of Takeichi-san's comments about Taiwan, about any invasion of Taiwan would be a survival threatening situation for Japan.
03:45You know the situation. It is now.
03:47But you were in Nanjing. You made some comments recently about Japan's colonial past.
03:55Yes.
03:55Can you clarify how damaging it might have been or if you feel it was damaging those comments from Takeichi
04:04-san about Taiwan that has made the situation more perilous for Taiwan?
04:10Or what are your views of her comments?
04:14She is backing Taiwan. She is backing Taiwan.
04:17Yes, I know. I know. I know. I know.
04:22I believe Prime Minister Sane Takeichi's remarks were quite provocative to Beijing.
04:26Of course, those of us in Taiwan hope for regional peace and stability.
04:31Therefore, I've always advocated a different approach to discussions.
04:35Not focusing on whether Taiwan or Japan is in trouble, but rather striving to ensure that Taiwan is safe, Japan
04:42is safe, and everyone is safe.
04:44And it's easy to do the things that you do to Korea.
04:47And Taiwan will definitely stay.
04:48And Japan will be fine.
04:49And everyone will be fine.
04:50So everyone will be fine.
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