Su Tseng-chang

Democracy and security do not fall from heaven — they come with a cost.

If Taiwan can establish a democracy, so can you (Mainland China).

Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌; Sū Zhēnchāng; born 28 July 1947) is a politician in Taiwan (Republic of China). He is currently the Premier since 14 January 2019.

Quotes

• Many Taiwanese people have been interacting and associating with the Chinese for a long period of time, so their perspectives can be very valuable when addressing issues concerning Mainland China. We should view Mainland China from the perspective of Taiwan as a whole, instead of only from the DPP's point of view.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2013) cited in "Taiwan should know more about China: Su" on The China Post, 23 May 2013.

• Democracy and security do not fall from heaven — they come with a cost.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2013) cited in "DPP fully committed to Taiwan’s self-defense, Su says" on Taipei Times, 15 June 2013.

• The DPP is committed to its responsibilities for the future of Taiwan, is willing to reconcile through dialogue as a means of normalizing Cross-Strait relations, and desires to be a responsible partner of fellow democracies in the Asia-Pacific.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2013) cited in "DPP willing to normalize cross-strait relations: Su" on The China Post, 10 November 2013.

• The DPP will engage (mainland) China with a positive attitude and confidence, hoping to foster constructive and well-intentioned dialogues, while maintaining the party's values and basic positions. Unfortunately, (mainland) China remains stubborn and has always tried to coerce Taiwan into a framework defined by nobody but China.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2013) cited in "DPP tells PRC to respect public, party views" on Taipei Times, 28 November 2013.

• If Taiwan can establish a democracy, so can you (Mainland China).
  • Su Tseng-chang (2014) cited in "No independence clause revision: Su" on Taipei Times, 26 January 2014.

• Everybody is born as a mother’s child. When a person does not respect life, but only uses death tolls (number of 228 massacre 20,000 victims) to measure how big a historical tragedy was, how then are we to conduct a dialogue with a person like this?
  • Su Tseng-chang (2014) cited in "DPP’s Su condemns 228 Massacre remarks" on Taipei Times, 2 March 2014.

• (Mainland) China today is like the Chinese Nationalist Party when I first entered politics (in the 1970s), when it tried to control Taiwan through martial law. Today, (Taiwan) society is entirely liberal and we have managed to come this far.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2019) cited in "Su rejects call to recognize ‘consensus’" on Taipei Times, 16 February 2019.

• Taiwan cannot sign such an (peace) agreement (with Mainland China).
  • Su Tseng-chang (2019) cited in "Premier opposes peace agreement with China" on Focus Taiwan, 20 February 2019.

• Once the investigation into the (Nanfang'ao Bridge) collapse is complete, anyone found to bear responsibility for the incident would be strictly punished.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2019) cited in "Nationwide bridge inspection ordered" on Taipei Times, 4 October 2019.

• Kneeling before (mainland) China and begging for mercy would not make Taiwan better.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2019) cited in "Kneeling to China won’t help ties: Su" on Taipei Times, 9 October 2019.

• Taiwan is a free, democratic and liberal nation, so the government would not issue a mask ban, but the government would not tolerate masked thugs, such as the man who tossed red paint on Hong Kong singer and rights advocate Denise Ho on the sidelines of a rally last month.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2019) cited in "No ban on rally masks, MOI head and premier say" on Taipei Times, 9 October 2019.

• As the premier, I hold the highest executive responsibilities in the country. Seeing the suffering and even death of our people (due to COVID-19 pandemic), when we have not taken care of them as well as we can, I am sorry.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2021) cited in "Premier, health minister apologizes for rising COVID-19 death toll" on Focus Taiwan, 9 June 2021.
  • Statement made during a legislative hearing at Legislative Yuan, 9 June 2021.

• As long as there is equality, reciprocity and no political preconditions, we (Taiwan) are willing to engage in goodwill with (mainland) China. As for China's harassment of Taiwan with military aircraft, warships, unreasonable suppression and political actions, the one being most unreasonable is China. Taiwan does not want to close the door to China. It is China that has used various means to oppress and treat Taiwan unreasonably.
  • Su Tseng-chang (2022) cited in "Taiwan says it's willing to engage with China, doesn't want to close door" on Arab News, 12 June 2022.