Lai Ching-te envisions Taiwan as a ‘Mountain Peak City’ of democracy

President Lai Ching-te addressed the opening ceremony of the 115th Overseas Community Affairs Council meeting, outlining his vision to transform Taiwan into a ‘Mountain Peak City.’ He described this concept as a nation built upon the foundations of democratic governance, national security, and social stability.

To achieve this, Lai emphasized the necessity of continuous investment in national defense and public security to counter threats and infiltration from the Chinese Communist Party. He also highlighted the importance of Taiwan acting as a global protector of universal values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights, likening the nation’s role to ‘salt’ that preserves these ideals.

On the domestic front, Lai discussed social welfare initiatives, including childcare support, tuition subsidies, and long-term care services. He noted that if the legislature approves the budget, children aged 0 to 18 could receive a monthly growth allowance of 5,000 TWD starting next year. Additionally, he pledged that the central government would work with local authorities to ensure the upcoming local elections on November 28 are conducted with fairness, justice, and transparency.