Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited the 2024 Taiwan International Machine Tool Show (TMTS) at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center on Thursday.
In his remarks at the event, Lai emphasized that Taiwan stands out as one of the few countries with the capability to produce advanced machine tools. He underscored the significance of the machinery industry for Taiwan's economy, highlighting its pivotal role in supporting the country's industrial progress.
According to Lai, Taiwan's machine tool industry boasts four distinct advantages: customized services, industrial clustering, government support, and the ongoing restructuring of the global supply chain post-pandemic. He further remarked on how Taiwan's democratic development has enabled its citizens to lead lives of freedom and enjoy the full spectrum of human rights, noting the powerful impact this has had on the industrial sector.
Lai pointed out that the pursuit of democracy, the protection of democratic values, and the deepening of democratic principles are not merely political endeavors but also profoundly influence the lives of the people and the development of industries, particularly in light of the current shifts in geopolitical landscapes.
Expressing his aspirations, Lai stated his hope that, upon assuming office on May 20th, he will continue fostering collaboration with the machinery and machine tool industry, working hand in hand to transform challenges into opportunities.