Tsai Ing-wen

“If I'm elected president, I'll make people's voice the foundation of policymaking.”

“Democracy is not just an election, it is our daily life.”

“I would have a democratic process for people to get together and talk about the way they want the government to conduct business with China.”

“The greatness of this country lies in how every single person can exercise their right to be himself or herself.”

“We will do everything in our power to make sure cross-strait stability becomes the driving force for peace in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“I will, based on the existing ROC constitutional system, based on democratic principles, on the basis of the largest public opinion, promote cross-strait policy.”

“We treat China as a normal trading and economic partner.”

“I will make the greatest efforts to seek a way for Taiwan and mainland China to interact that is mutually acceptable to both sides. I will not be provocative; there will not be any surprises.”

“The youth of Taiwan not only have to face the harsh reality of low wages and high commodity and housing prices, but due to the lack of employment opportunities, many young people are forced to leave their home towns to search for jobs in the cities.”

“I have promised on many occasions that I will build a consistent, predictable and sustainable cross-strait relationship.”

“Politically, of course, the U.S., despite the flaws in its systems, is still a democracy - we like to associate with democracies. And strategically, the U.S. is a counter-balance to China, a rising China that is not yet a democracy.”

“Ma Ying-jeou tends to use cross-strait policy as an election tool and a political tool, too, and my position is that we don't use that as a political tool because that is an issue that is critical and essential to the interests of the Taiwanese people.”

“We are not facing China alone; we are facing China together with a lot of other people in the region.”

“We attach great importance to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. But if our diplomatic relations is subject to China's goodwill, we will lose the autonomy of our diplomacy.”

“I will rebuild the people's trust in government and create a stable foundation for Taiwan's future development.”

“I was not considered a kid that would be successful in my career.”

“A more consistent and sustainable relationship with China will be a core goal of my administration. That requires open channels of communication, both with China's leadership and the Taiwanese people.”

“I will make the greatest efforts to seek mutually acceptable interaction between Taiwan and mainland China.”

“For many Taiwanese, almost all Taiwanese, we'd like to we say we are a country, and we have a sovereignty of our own.”

“People have this vision of me as a conservative person, but I'm actually quite adventurous.”