It has been well over half a century and I'm glad to say we have taken the right path from authoritarianism to democracy and this is a road of no return.

I have great confidence in the universal value and in basic human rights and I have great confidence that referenda will eventually take root and become part of our daily lives in Taiwan.

We also intend to deal with the issue of incorporating basic human rights into our new constitution.

In the 1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future passed by the Democratic Progressive Party, it is stated very clearly that any change to the status quo of Taiwan must be decided by the people of Taiwan through referenda.

We will make every effort to unify all ethnic groups, to strengthen belief in Taiwan and to persist in reform.

I believe in the greatness of our democracy.

Over the next four years, I will continue to listen to different views and accept different suggestions.