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Taiwan at the Crossroads
However, if what replaces military confrontation is the high-tech-based economic competition among nations, among countries and regions, the dilemma between the advancement of science and sharing of technology, and conflict between the political passions based on nation state and economic rationality will not be solved, and the advancement of science and technology will continue to be used as a tool of domination of some rather than the liberation for all. However, if we learn to solve problems together, learn to share knowledge accumulated, the limited resources available and the new technology developed, it is possible to realize the establishment of a genuine global village, which enables sustainable development of the entire earth. When the global warming trend continues, you will find floods not only in Taiwan, but also in Australia, England and many other parts of the world. When the temperature of the South Pacific rises more than 20 degrees, we are going to see tremendous typhoons sweeping through Taiwan. And if the global warming trend continues, the North Sea of China will probably rise to some extent.

Well, this is the challenge of the 21st century for the people of Taiwan as well as people all over the world. We have to face it. I am sure with adequate preparation, firm commitment and determination; we will be able to meet the challenge in strides. We cannot do anything about what happened in the past; however, we are the ones to write the history of mankind for the next century. Taiwan is now at the crossroads. Are we to continue to follow the well-trodden path of the western world or to find a new way? Of course, we are not the only one at the crossroads. We are all at the crossroads together. It is the first time in human history that mankind will have to work together and live together as a family in the global village, and finally realize that the world we live in is only finite in space, in capacity and in natural resources. The ability of the atmosphere to absorb pollution is certainly finite. This is an awakening that is absolutely necessary for the survival or sustainable development of mankind, and it is also the reason why I believe that if we make the right choice at these crossroads, then the 21st century is likely to be marked as the great turning point, or the beginning of a new era in the history of mankind. Otherwise, we might see that homo sapiens will start to disappear from the earth. Therefore, I will end my lecture here. Thank you very much for your attention.

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