Lai Remembers Abe in Remarks 賴清德隔離後出席活動 感念安倍對台付出

Vice President William Lai traveled to Japan last week to attend a service for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He appeared in public for the first time since returning on July 21. In his remarks, he praised Abe for everything he did for Taiwan and criticized China for destroying regional peace and stability through the actions of its military aircraft.

“Mr. Vice President, can we talk about Abe's contributions to Taiwan?”Vice President William Lai ignored the questions directed at him. Last week, he traveled to Japan to attend a service for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He had to quarantine after returning. Lai kept a low profile on the trip and didn't make any public statements, as it was supposed to be a private trip. In his first public appearance since returning, he heaped praise on Abe.

William Lai, R.O.C. Vice President: “Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe specially made a point of saying that anything that affects Taiwan will affect Japan. He never set preconditions for his assistance towards Taiwan or Japan's support for Taiwan.”

China protested Lai's trip to Japan, so Lai used the opportunity to criticize China's military aircraft for destroying regional peace and stability. Japan will hold a state funeral for Abe in September, and Democratic Progressive Party legislators are clamoring for President Tsai Ing-wen to attend. It's not yet known whom Taiwan will send.

Chou Shyue-yow, Secretary-General, Taiwan-Japan Relations Assoc.: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representative office in Japan will closely follow the Japanese government's related plans. We will also maintain close communications and coordinate with Japan and make appropriate arrangements.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, Liberal Democratic Party Diet members, former Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada, and others concerned about defense and security issues will visit Taiwan on July 27.

「副總統我們講一下安倍對台灣的貢獻好不好？」面對提問不做回應，副總統賴清德，上週前往日本參加前首相安倍晉三家祭，返台結束隔離之後，首日出席活動，這次日本行定調私人行程，賴清德全程低調、沒有發言，回台後首度在致詞感念安倍對台灣的付出。

副總統賴清德說：「前首相安倍晉三特別講出了，台灣有事就是日本有事，看看日本安倍首相對台灣的幫助，或者日本對台灣的支持，從來沒有預設前提。」

賴清德前往日本中國強烈不滿抗議，賴清德也批評中國軍機行動，破壞區域和平穩定。至於9月底日本將為安倍舉行國葬，綠委喊出由總統蔡英文親自前往，由誰代表出席引起關注。

台日協秘書長周學佑表示：「外交部與駐日本代表處，將會密切關注日本政府的相關規劃，我方也會與日方保持密切的聯繫與協調，並做出適當的安排。」

外交部也宣布前自民黨幹事長石破茂，自民黨議員、前防衛大臣濱田靖一，等多位關注安全防務問題的日本議員團體，將在27日訪台，在安倍遇刺身亡後，展現對台關注不變。