President Dialogues with Youth, Shares Three Governance Goals to Help Young Generation Realize Dreams

President Lai Ching-te attended a youth forum today, stating that the government's administration focuses on three major goals: national security, economic development, and caring for the people. He is promoting policies such as tuition-free high school education, college tuition subsidies, and a '0-18 Growth Allowance,' combined with youth overseas dream-realization projects and international exchange programs, to help the younger generation cultivate professional skills, broaden their international horizons, and realize their dreams. President Lai attended the 'President and Youth Forum' hosted by Business Weekly this afternoon to share his governance philosophy and the direction of national development with high school students nationwide. He expressed that he highly values the opportunity to communicate face-to-face with the younger generation, noting that the issues raised by students in previous forums align with the needs of national and social development, demonstrating not only observation and thinking skills but also the ability to take action. The President pointed out that the government's current administrative priorities include 'making the country safer,' 'improving the economy,' and 'caring for the people.' First, in the face of China's ongoing military threats and united front infiltration, the government will continue to strengthen national defense, promote foreign military purchases and indigenous defense through annual and special budgets, and simultaneously enhance economic resilience, reduce reliance on a single market, and deepen cooperation with democratic partners to maintain peace and stability with strength. He stated that the government has inventoried China's united front infiltration into Taiwan, involving five aspects: sovereignty, national identity, espionage, using exchanges for united front work, and work targeting youth and Taiwanese businessmen, and has proposed corresponding legal amendments and policy measures, which have been sent to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. He pointed out that Taiwan will also balance China's narrative in the international community, continuing to explain that UN Resolution 2758 does not address Taiwan's sovereign status, and reiterating that the People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan, the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China. The President said that the second priority is to develop the economy. Taiwan's recent economic performance has been impressive; in addition to the continued growth of the high-tech industry, traditional industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also play important roles. The government has announced an investment of NT$100 billion to assist MSMEs in upgrading and transformation, introducing artificial intelligence (AI), promoting net-zero transformation, and expanding international markets so that large and small enterprises can grow together. He noted that a good economy and increased tax revenue can provide not only the defense budget to protect the country but also the resources to care for the people. The government continues to promote policies such as '0-6 years old national care,' tuition-free high school, and college tuition subsidies, hoping that no child will lose educational opportunities due to family background. He stated that Taiwan officially entered a super-aged society this year, and the government will promote Long-term Care 3.0 based on the existing Long-term Care 2.0 to strengthen care for the elderly and people with disabilities. Currently, there are over 15,000 long-term care bases and more than 100,000 long-term care service personnel across Taiwan. The President also explained to the high school students the '0-18 Growth Allowance' proposal, planning to provide NT$5,000 per month for each child, with part of it used for family childcare expenses and part deposited into a personal growth account, which can be used for further education, training, entrepreneurship, or career development after reaching adulthood. In addition, the government continues to promote student housing subsidies, rent subsidies, TPASS commuter passes, new youth housing loans, as well as cultural and sports vouchers to reduce the living burden on youth. Regarding broadening international horizons, the President pointed out that the government is promoting a NT$10 billion youth overseas dream-realization fund project, expecting to provide 3,000 spots this year, with some reserved for youth in remote and disadvantaged areas. There are also youth volunteer, youth ambassador, and youth bridge projects to encourage young people to step into the world. Finally, the President stated that Taiwan must actively walk into the world, and young people are the masters of the country. The government's responsibility is to assist youth in accumulating knowledge, cultivating professional capabilities, and broadening international horizons, to lead Taiwan toward continuous progress and development in the future.