"Projects coming down from the top are approved first, and the cost estimates are inflated to make sure that enough money is budgeted. And with projects coming up from the bottom, costs are understated to give the projects a better chance of being approved. Later on, the costs go up—the people involved say that they ‘forgot this, forgot that.’"

"Aborigines engaging in exchanges in (mainland) China should insist on being recognized as Aborigines, and not as Taiwanese minorities."

"It took 10 years to achieve that success ('indigenous people' name recognition), and many younger generations of indigenous people are not aware of the history behind gaining the name."

"The language diversity embedded in Taiwanese society is our common asset. We should not have those languages endangered or extinct."

"We hope people can set aside their fears and partisan biases and stop thinking that learning from the mistakes of the past means causing animosity."

"Freedom and democracy are Taiwan's most precious values."

"Normal surgical masks are sufficient to guard against the (COVID-19) virus."

"The control and prevention of diseases and epidemics should go beyond boundaries."

"It's every country's responsibility to cooperate with one another for the sake of their citizens' health, and I believe that it is the international society's responsibility to make sure that Taiwan is not excluded from the global health system."

"We (Centers for Disease Control) are warning that anyone who refuses to cooperate with our quarantine officers or is disrespectful toward them (for the examination of COVID-19) will be strictly punished according to the law. Disease prevention is not a game, so we will impose the heaviest punishment for obstructing public officers in discharging their duties."

"A vaccine for the coronavirus is still being developed and that the main treatment right now is supportive care."

"The confirmed local (COVID-19 infection) cases (in Taiwan so far as of 5 February 2020) are mostly people who were infected overseas before returning to Taiwan and the only two indigenous cases are people who were infected by other members of their household. Therefore, the (Central Epidemic Command) center does not recommend foreign nationals traveling in Taiwan wear masks, but they can prepare masks and bring them on their own if they are concerned."

"I want to advise everyone to wear a face mask at all times when travelling in an aircraft and also in confined spaces such as inside airports (to protect oneself against COVID-19)."

"Every life is precious, and as the commander of the Central Epidemic Command Center, I am sorry. We feel that for every life we should do more, and we will try our best so this does not happen again (on the rising COVID-19 death toll in Taiwan)."

"We shouldn't push it away. As it is a huge market over there in mainland China, it behooves Taiwan to maintain friendly, smooth economic relations."

"Only when three preconditions — all ways (to save energy) have been exhausted, safety is guaranteed and a social consensus reached — would the reactivation of the Jinshan and Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plants be considered."

"We will adopt low-key and pragmatic measures to establish better economic relations with other countries."

"Although (the one reactor at Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant) is not considered part of the operating reserve, I would make a formal report to the Legislative Yuan to reactivate it as a last resort in the event of a predictable power shortage. The manufacturing industry should have confidence in the (Taiwan) power supply."

"History often repeats itself. If we can learn our lessons early, we can avoid accidents. The purpose of the investigation is not to blame someone for the neglect of duty or to hold someone responsible, but to figure out the real causes for the accidents and avoid making the same mistakes again."

"Is it really necessary to have so many municipalities in such a small nation? The key is effective governance."

"You cannot treat badly to your classmate just because his color is different or he is somehow different."

"The living room is a factory and the rooftop is a farm."

"No matter what we choose, our unwavering stance is to enhance the safety of nuclear power generation in the country."