《TAIPEI TIMES》Lai vows to work with partners to bolster resilience

People dressed as Taiwanese folk deity Nezha, also known as Santaizi or the Third Prince, perform at the opening ceremony of the Rotary International Convention in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page

Staff writer, with CNA President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday said Taiwan would deepen cooperation with democratic partners to bolster supply chain and economic resilience, while helping maintain regional peace and stability.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan stands “on the front lines of defense against authoritarian expansion” and would continue to uphold the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait.

“As a cornerstone of global supply chain security, Taiwan will shoulder its responsibility,” Lai told Rotary members from more than 140 countries.

“With our strength in technology, we will also expand cooperation with our democratic partners. Together, we will boost supply chain and economic resilience. We will uphold regional peace and stability, and promote global prosperity and development,” he said.

The convention is Rotary International’s first return to Taipei in 32 years.

The opening ceremony featured performances from Modern Techno Prince Nezha （電音三太子）, with masked performers portraying Taoist deity Nezha （哪吒） and dancing to Taiwanese electronic music, as well as traditional Eastern acrobatics highlighting religious and folk arts.

Representatives also took turns waving their national flags to symbolize unity, with the presentation of the Republic of China’s national flag and national anthem as the finale.

Lai welcomed participants from around the world and thanked Taiwan’s Rotary members and Rotary International leaders for helping bring the event to Taiwan.

The convention demonstrates international recognition of Taiwan’s long-standing contributions to humanitarian care, public welfare and world peace, he said.

Peace remains a shared goal for people around the world, particularly as countries face challenges ranging from geopolitical changes and extreme weather events, to supply chain restructuring, Lai said.

“At this very moment, peace and stability are the greatest hope of people everywhere,” he added.

Additional reporting by Wu Po-hsuan 新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES

President William Lai speaks at the opening ceremony of the Rotary International Convention in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page

Participants pose for a photograph at the opening ceremony of the Rotary International Convention in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times