Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang, representing President and Party Chairman Lai Ching-te, visited the United States. On Sunday (September 1st), Lin Yu-chang delivered a speech on “Taiwan’s Political Situation and Global Trends” at the Taiwan Center in Flushing. He mentioned that the global landscape is changing, stating that “we must have confidence in ourselves.” Lin emphasized that Taiwan’s choice is not about being pro-China or pro-America, but about choosing between democracy and freedom or authoritarian rule.
Upon his arrival in the United States, Lin Yu-chang’s first stop was the renowned Taiwan Center, known as the “Number One Pavilion in the World.” He stated that Lai Ching-te’s election as president, continuing the Democratic Progressive Party’s governance, marked the first time in Taiwan’s democratic history that a single party had been re-elected as president for three consecutive terms, breaking the “8-year curse.” Despite facing challenges, the Democratic Progressive Party will continue to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, deepen democratic and liberal systems, and lead Taiwan on the right path.
Addressing the turmoil in Taiwan’s political arena, Lin Yu-chang said, “We must have confidence in ourselves because the global landscape is currently undergoing significant changes.” He cited the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, marking a major turning point in international relations, as an example of the world facing another significant shift in global dynamics.
“Taiwan’s choice is not about being pro-China or pro-America, but about choosing between freedom and democracy or authoritarian rule. This choice is simple, and therefore, the answer is obvious. We stand together with freedom-loving democratic countries that share common values, not by choosing China or any other country,” emphasized Lin Yu-chang.
Lin Yu-chang stated that Taiwan is on the right path. While Taiwan’s international visibility was not high in the past, due to changes in international situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the U.S.-China trade war, Taiwan has become increasingly important on the world stage. This achievement is not accidental but a result of the efforts made by former President Tsai Ing-wen over eight years.
Regarding concerns from some overseas compatriots about recent legal cases in Taiwan, Lin Yu-chang stressed that regardless of the president, no one would intervene in judicial cases, as it is not permissible to do so. “Taiwan has no secrets, and the judiciary has no secrets. If there were such actions, secrets cannot be kept hidden.”
After concluding his speech, Lin Yu-chang interacted warmly with Taiwanese expatriates present at the event and took commemorative photos.
On the evening of the 31st local time in Taiwan, Lin Yu-chang, along with Jiang Chih-ming, Director of the Department of Social Movements of the Democratic Progressive Party, and Xiao Shun-wen, Director of the Democratic Progressive Party Representative Office in the United States, set off for the United States. He is scheduled to stay in the U.S. for 13 days and will visit cities such as Washington, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, continuing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwanese expatriate leaders, Taiwanese-American civil organizations, and democratic partners.