Premier Su Tseng-chang on Wednesday received a U.S. delegation led by Michael Glenn Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. At this moment when Russia is invading Ukraine, the premier said, U.S. President Joe Biden's special dispatch of a delegation to Taiwan sends a clear message to our people that Taiwan-U.S. relations are rock solid. This demonstrates the great value the United States places on Taiwan and peace in the region, as well as its commitment toward preserving stability across the Taiwan Strait. Our ability to cooperate together with the United States, the premier said, should deter reckless behavior by leaders of totalitarian regimes who are eager to invade other countries.
Premier Su said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a case of an authoritarian nation invading a neighboring country, leading many to draw the comparison that China could also take such actions against Taiwan. However, the premier emphasized, the Taiwanese people have demonstrated great feats when they unite to work together. Taiwan has not only stood out for its economic development, we also occupy a highly important position in the global supply chain in providing products such as semiconductor chips. In confronting COVID-19, neighboring countries continue to record tens of thousands of cases each day, but our management of the pandemic has proved very capable, with only two domestic cases reported today. Taiwan's economic performance has furthermore reached its record highest in 11 years.
The premier furthermore said that despite the horrors of war, the entire world has been moved by the actions of the Ukrainian people in uniting and expressing solidarity and determination to defend their country. One by one, countries across the globe have reached out to support Ukraine. It thus follows that Taiwan must be able to help itself before receiving help from others.
During Tuesday's interpellation session at the Legislature, the premier said, he was asked by lawmakers about the horrors of war and whether Taiwan had the ability to defend itself. In response, the premier gave a quote attributed to former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill before World War II to his predecessor, Neville Chamberlain: "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war." To demonstrate Taiwan's unstinting resolve to defend ourselves, we have already established an All-out Defense Mobilization Agency under the Ministry of National Defense, standing at the ready to protect our country. It is by doing so that countries insistent on defending freedom and democracy—values shared by Taiwan—will come to our aid.
President Biden dispatching former Chairman Mullen and his delegation to Taiwan on Tuesday is a clear and immediate signal that our partner and friend the United States attaches great importance to Taiwan, Premier Su said. The premier believes that the exchanges of ideas and opinions between this delegation and Taiwanese officials will give both sides a better understanding of our shared desire to defend and preserve freedom, democracy and other universal values. We can also learn how to work together to deter leaders of totalitarian regimes eager to use force to invade other countries from acting rashly, especially Taiwan's neighbor, China.
Members of the U.S. delegation included former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michle A. Flournoy, former Deputy National Security Advisor Meghan L. O'Sullivan, former Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council Michael Green, and former Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council Evan S. Medeiros.