TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) declared Tuesday (Oct. 28) that peace requires strength, responding to recent reports about potential friction between the opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Washington. His comments addressed a Financial Times report from four days earlier about the incoming KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's (鄭麗文) perceived soft tone on China.
Speaking during an interview at the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, Cho highlighted Taiwan's role as a reliable international partner, emphasizing that the nation must strengthen itself to earn dignity and achieve lasting peace. The Premier affirmed Taiwan's commitment to deepening exchanges with like-minded nations through regional peace initiatives, economic development, technological collaboration, and cultural programs. Cho emphasized Taiwan's dedication to contributing to both regional stability and global progress.
Cho also addressed the African swine fever crisis, identifying the virus as a common enemy requiring collaboration between central and local governments. Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳季駿) reported that authorities have requested epidemic investigation data from Taichung City Government to determine the outbreak's source. Chen announced the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部) plans subsidy programs to address industry losses from the disease outbreak. ◼