TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday (Dec. 28) praised the adoption of her political approach by some opposition parties but emphasized that Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, are best suited to implement her policies.
Addressing the crowd shouting "I love you" at the Haishan Palace in Zhonghe (中和海山宮) earlier that day, Tsai highlighted Taiwan's significant export growth since 2016, including a remarkable 120% increase to the United States. Taiwan's exports saw a 50% increase to Europe, over 60% to New Southbound Policy countries, and more than 70% to Japan, she continued.
She also spoke of Taiwan's commitment to enhancing infrastructure, which has attracted substantial local and foreign investments, and defended her administration's spending policies against opposition criticism.
Both Taiwanese businesses and foreign investors heavily invested in Taiwan over the past eight years, largely due to the government's decision to strengthen Taiwan's infrastructure, according to the president, who stressed that Taiwan saw an investment of NT$800 billion, resulting in positive changes in Taiwan's economic structure and momentum.
Looking ahead to the Jan. 13 elections, Tsai stressed the importance of maintaining a DPP majority in the legislature for effective governance and Taiwan's long-term progress. President Tsai further pointed out that the opposition accused her of reckless spending, to which she responded, "I am angry; I am not throwing money around, I am investing in the future."