Interesting move to self reliance if the aim is to 3D print drone components

A welcome move if it means migrant workers have more resources and services they can access

Fun to note that the KMT mayoral candidate for Taipei wants to move Songshan Airport, while the KMT mayoral candidate for New Taipei wants to expand rail access to the same airport

Deeply unfortunate but a sign of how migrant workers are housed in unsafe conditions

Tomorrow!

Anyhow, in closing, I'll also say I found the positioning of those involved in civil defense alongside police, firefighters, and members of the military as those who protect Taiwan interesting

You tend to think the usual suspects will freak out unnecessarily about Lai's speech, but one notes that there was very little reference to China in the speech--to minimize the surface area for attacks you could say

Instead, the DPP is probably counting on the KMT to self-destruct, whether that is due to Cheng Li-wun or Chiang Wan-an's recent stumbles. This is usually how the DPP has triumphed in past election cycles

But the DPP is probably conscious of how the Great Recall Movement failed last year because they became too strongly associated with Lai. Hence this attempt by Lai to minimize his presence ahead of elections next month, to avoid perceived partisanship backfiring against the DPP

Lai largely played it safe. He did not lean into attacks on the KMT, attacks on China, or introduce any new major ideas. Why? Well, for one, local elections at the end of November are about local domestic issues

Let's replace Songshan Airport with a nuclear reactor!

Not much new in Lai's speech honestly, so he was mostly playing it safe while framing himself as fair and balanced, and not the aggressor ahead of elections. He could have made more attacks on the KMT if he had chosen but did not

Lai closes on this note of unity and pursuing a better future. He ends with "中華民國加油，台灣加油“

Lai states that gender equality and respect and dignity for sexuality continues to be important. Elections are coming up, but mutual respect and jointly protecting the government is key. He states presidential authority comes from the people

This is to ensure Taiwan remains competitive. Taiwan cannot have only TSMC as its "holy mountain", but needs a "mountain range" Lai calls for improvements in salaries for public servants, police, and military. He emphasize cash handouts as sharing AI dividends

Lai states that Taiwan aims to maintain the current peaceful status quo. Taiwan aims to boost its competitiveness, including regarding AI, semiconductors, robots, other critical technologies

Lai states that this does not preclude dialogue. Defense is to ensure dialogue with dignity and parity. Lai here also hits out at China's distortion of WWII history, he states that Taiwan values peace but will not give up freedom

It is China that disrupts the international order. As such, assymmetric capacities, defense, are still priorities. This is to be a way of protecting the country Lai thanks military, firefighters, police, nurses, and those involved in civil defense efforts for what they do for TW

Fighting scam centers, opposing drugs. Fines will be stiffened for drugs. Lai states that Taiwan needs to show the world that democracy is effective in caring for the people. He states Taiwan does not pursue conflict but aims to stabilize the international order