Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) delivered a speech at the founding ceremony for the 11th Parliamentary All-Out Defense Committee on Monday, emphasizing that the essence of national defense is the ability to protect one's home and land.
The vice president stated that Taiwan faces a wide variety of challenges from natural disasters to public safety. She added that, as a society, we need to learn from past tragedies and adapt to become more resilient, starting with educating citizens on how they can protect themselves. However, she pointed out that Taiwan’s security is also complicated by geopolitics.
Hsiao cited Sweden’s gradual investments in national defense following Russia’s invasion of Crimea as an example of a nation embracing a more “whole-society” approach to civil defense. She said that the Taiwanese are peace-loving people who are generous and helpful, which should be reflected in the systematic policy that helps them protect their country. Hsiao also revealed that the Presidential Office has convened a Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee to further help connect people from all walks of life in the name of civil defense.
The vice president thanked the Legislature’s All-Out Defense Committee for connecting civil society organizations and social forces during critical times. She also thanked the citizens, military, farmers, and workers for their professionalism and spirit of rapid recovery when Taiwan’s resilience was especially challenged.