"I was a local government official before I became minister of transportation and communications, and I know how people feel. The most important thing about government policy is that it must be down-to-earth. The ministry should not only focus on building infrastructure, but it should also care about serving the public. Government officials should look at policies from the public's perspective and have complementary measures in place before they implement the policies."

"If we don't speak up, our voices won't be heard in the international community. Even if the decision cannot be changed (Taichung's East Asian Youth Games host city revocation), we need to get more people to understand the truth."

"Taipei is not only the nation's capital, but also the engine of its economy. Yet, in the past few years the city's economy has shrunk and has been surpassed by New Taipei City."

"There are no countries that have diplomatic relations with other countries simply because of democracy and freedom. They are all focused on national interests."

"I believe that simplifying municipal work so that all citizens can understand exactly what the city government does in terms of infrastructure and other efforts is crucial to earning voters' approval. This is the “Cheng Wen-tsan model.”"

"I hope the public can calm down and use dialogue instead of violence (opponents of pension reform who allegedly broke two of his ribs)."

"If they (Mainland China) say we (Mainland China and Taiwan) are close family, they won't repeatedly threaten to use force to settle disputes."

"There are kind and compassionate hearts that aims to bring the greatest comfort and support to believers in every religious culture. The Islamic culture is all over Asia. Although the number of people who believe in Islam in Taiwan is relatively small, the pious hearts of Muslims show no difference."

"To safeguard our nation's sovereignty and dignity, we've decided to terminate diplomatic ties with Panama immediately."

"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in May 1997, Taipei has assisted São Tomé and Príncipe in promoting national development, with our bilateral cooperation touching upon the areas of public health, medicine, agriculture, basic infrastructure, energy and education. Accordingly, it disregarded its nearly 20-year friendship with us and approached both sides of the Taiwan Strait to seek the highest bidder. We regret and deplore São Tomé and Príncipe's reckless and unfriendly decision."

"I would like to express my regret for the harms and wounds that once existed in this island of Taiwan. I also want to extend my apologies to those afflicted with such long-standing and agonizing pains. We must not forget how many families were torn up and how their emotional sufferings have been passed down from generation to generation. I can now relate to such pains. My apology is long overdue."

"The appointment (as special envoy to APEC 2016) fills me with a deep sense of responsibility. It is a mission rather than a job. This mission is not about personal glory, but the entrustment of a responsibility to present to the international community the achievements Taiwan has made in the past decades."

"Cooperation is not a merger. There's no need to crush oneself to accommodate others."