高雄市長韓國瑜率團赴美，美國當地時間4/11於哈佛大學(Harvard University)以「The Power of Down to Earth: They Talk the Talk, I Walk the Walk」為題發表應英語演說。他在演說指出，來自台灣的「光頭鄉村土包子」，在去年11月，贏得了台灣南部的一次選舉，沒有人認為有可能獲勝。人們說韓國瑜單槍匹馬地改變了台灣的政治，並把這種廣泛傳播的政治潮流稱為「韓流」。但是，他不相信「韓流」，因為他非常清楚，是什麼讓他進入市長職位並在這裡與你們交談，不是個人，而是人民的意志。
各行各業的人們，重點是社會弱勢群體，堅持每個月在不同的地方過夜，以貼近他們的現實生活。他曾夜宿過孤兒院、漁民協會、計程車司機的家，未來也將在許多其他地方過夜。此外，他也走向世界、走向中國大陸、走向東南亞、走向美國，並希望走向世界其他地方，只因為高雄應該獲得更多的知名度和機會。高雄已被隔離且封閉太久。長期之下，經濟和人口正在悲慘地下降。高雄需要走向世界，推廣產品，吸引更多的遊客，並實施他所倡導的「貨出去，人進來，高雄發大財！」
韓國瑜強調，宣布競選市長時口號是「一瓶水和一碗滷肉飯」，這是市長所能在造勢會和集會上向支持者提供的，大多數時候，沒有滷肉飯，只有一瓶水！然而，他這樣做的原因不僅是因為缺錢，還因為想以不同的方式做事，不會成為人們不喜歡的政治家。「一瓶水」完全違背了傳統的競選方式，有一句老話說「只要你有錢，你就不需要學習(知道)如何贏得選舉。」
而另一個競選口號，「貨出去，人進來，高雄發大財！」和「100％更好的經濟，0％政治計算。」作為一個主要以貿易為導向的地區，當世界各國積極推動自由貿易，簽署自由貿易協定和參與區域經濟體時，台灣被排除在外，這對我們的經濟發展來說是不可取的，實現區域經濟體的複雜性和困難是建立在兩岸關係的基礎之上的。對台灣的任何政治領導人來說，最大的挑戰是維護台灣海峽的和平與穩定，確保台灣不被排除在重要的國際組織之外。
他認為，作為高雄市長，想把高雄帶到世界，92共識是切實可行的。他對92共識的看法自然是「一個中國各自表述。」有人說北京不承認「一個中國各自表述。」我想指出，在國民黨統治的8年裡，北京由於國民黨對92共識的立場，沒有拒絕與我們互動。事實上，在這8年中，我們簽署了許多條約，參加了許多國際活動，更多的國家給予了我們簽證豁免。
這次韓國瑜受哈佛大學費正清中國研究中心邀請赴美演講，活動著重與國際重要學術單位進行深度交流學習，由費正清中心研究員與哈佛大學台灣研究主任戈迪(Steve Goldstein)教授主持。會後韓國瑜與費正清中國研究中心主任宋怡明(Michael Szonyi)互相致贈禮物。
哈佛大學是美國歷史最悠久，最著名的學府之一。費正清中國研究中心(Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies)是哈佛大學成立的研究中心，目的是從社會科學的角度研究現當代中國。該中心成立於1955年，60多年來為全球中國及東亞事務研究的重要機構，長期關注中國大陸、兩岸與台美關係發展，亦有多位專家學者專精台灣相關研究。
韓國瑜英文演說全文如下：
The Power of Down to Earth :They Talk the Talk, I Walk the Walk
Good afternoon, Director Szonyi, Director Goldstein, ladies and gentlemen, this is my greatest honor and pleasure to be here today and to begin with, I would like to express my appreciation for the long term friendship between the United States and the R. O. C., and for the support from the US government and its people, so we can engage and cooperate closely. I am more than honored to have this amazing opportunity standing at this podium, in front of the distinguished scholars at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, the most esteemed institution of Chinese Studies in the world, to share my story and to talk about what I think and what I want to do as Mayor of Kaohsiung.
In Taiwan, there are a lot of people calling me a “produce vendor.” Mainly because I worked in a local agricultural products marketing company before I ran in the Mayor election. The media often describes me with the term “down toearth,” and few individuals even name me “country bumpkin” for my humble origins, and my rather direct and unrefined language. Well today, this bald country bumpkin from Taiwan is standing before you, on the campus of one of the most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard! A few months ago, many could not have imagined this, even in their wildest dreams!
What brings me to Harvard today, is the fact that last November, I won an election in Southern Taiwan that nobody thought I could possibly win. Besides, people are saying that I single-handedly reshaped the politics of Taiwan. They are calling this wide-spread political current the “hanliu” or “Han wave.”
However, I don’t believe in “hanliu” or “Han Wave” because I know very well that what bringsme to the Mayor position and to speak to you today, is not me as an individual, but is the will of the people. People in Taiwan, especially in Kaohsiung, have had enough of the unproductive government, enough of all the nonsense of ideological manipulation, and enough of pathetic politicians who only talk without making worthy actions.
The reason behind our success, is not because I am at any rate a great person. It is because Taiwan’s current ruling party is not doing a good job. They have disappointed the people, so the people want something different. In fact, the people of Taiwan dislike not just the DPP, but they are tired of all of traditional politicians. Especially those politicians who come up with fancy slogans and empty promises. They don’t know, and they don’t care what the people really need. They only talk the talk, but me, I walk the walk.
I walk to the people from all walks of life, with an emphasis on socially vulnerable groups. I insist to stay overnight in different folks’ places once a month, to get close to their real life. I have stayed in an orphanage, a fisherman’s association, a taxi driver’s home and will stay in many others’ places as well. I also walk to the world, to Mainland China, to Southeast Asia, to America and hopefully to more other places in the world. This is not because I like to be Mr. Fogg who travelled around the world in 81 days, but because Kaohsiung deserves more visibility and opportunities. Kaohsiung has been isolated and closed off for too long. As a result, the economy and population are sadly declining. We need to walk out to the world to promote our produce and products, to attract more visitors, and to carry out what I advocate loudly for, “Export Goods Out, Welcome People In, Let Kaohsiung Prosper!”貨出得去、人進得來、高雄發大財！
You might be curious how come I am so down to earth and not a stereotypical politician. Actually, once, I was one of the politicians people look down on. I had been councilor and congressman for over 10 years. And one day, I came to face the truth that I didn’t do a good job as a politician, so I just decided not to run for the next round of elections. Therefore, I fell out of the upper down to the earth. I have been down to earth ever since and stayed on it as a Mayor now. I know what the people really want –I was one of them, I had hope for the government, that the people in power can do good things for us. I know deep down people’s needs are simple and humble. People want to enjoy peace and security; want a government that can get things done; want to make money; and most importantly, want to have good life.
When I first settled in Kaohsiung, I worked as Director of KMT’s Kaohsiung Chapter and we had no funding at all. The DPP had ruled Kaohsiung for more than 20 years, so no one thought I was even close to winning. I had a very hard time raising campaign funds. So when I announced to run for the Mayor election, I went with the slogan “one bottle of water and one bowl of pork rice.” That was all I could provide to the supporters at rallies and gatherings –and most of the time, no pork rice, only a bottle of water! Yet, the reason I did that was not only because we were short of money, but also because I would like to do things differently. I will not be the politician that people dislike anymore. “One bottle of water” is totally against the traditional way of campaigning. There’s an old saying that “you don’t need to learn how to win an election as long as you have money.” Back then a lot of people in Kaohsiung warned me that it would be impossible to win the election. I had nothing and my hands were empty, so that made me a non-stereotypical candidate. I was down to earth, down with the crowd and got closer to them. The people who came to my rallies and gatherings were not there for give-away gifts or buffets, they came to support!
What did I give them in return for their support? A response, a response to their worries and anxiety, a response so outspoken that only a country bumpkin would say it out loud to the people: we want to make big money! You are probably familiar with my campaign slogan, “Export Goods Out, Welcome People In, Let Kaohsiung Prosper.” And “100% for better economy and 0 % for political calculations.” Right now, Taiwan is full of political calculations especially in the Cross Straits policies. As a sad result, Taiwan’s economy has been totally compressed with no room to grow. I have listened to the people, and that is not what they want! What people really want are better incomes, good livings, peace with Mainland China, and mutual respect. That is why I am doing 100% for a better economy and 0% for political calculations.
In the meantime, as a region that is heavily trade oriented, our worst nightmare is to be marginalized. When countries around the world are actively promoting free trade, signing free trade agreements and engaging in regional economic integrations, Taiwan is excluded, and that is not okay for our economic development. The complications and difficulties of achieving regional economic integration is based on the relationship across the Taiwan Straits. To any political leader of Taiwan, the biggest challenge is to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and to ensure Taiwan is not excluded from important international activities.
No one wishes to live in instability and chaos. We are all very clear that the only military threat to Taiwan comes from Beijing. Like I’ve said time and again, we have no doubt that the people of Taiwan are determined to strive for democracy. Yet at the same time, we must not doubt the Beijing’s determination for unification. While it is important to strengthen our defense capabilities, we must not blind ourselves to the fact that Beijing has immense military powers. What we must to do is to strive for peaceful coexistence with Mainland China, and to use wisdom to avoid potential conflicts. This is what the people of Taiwan need. We need to face the fact that Mainland China has risen, and to avoid unnecessary confrontations. After all, “War has no winners and peace, no losers.”
Yet in these 3 short years, the international community is once again worried that conflict may erupt in the Taiwan Straits. Beijing is once again threatening unification by military force. President Tsai is talking about how many days Taiwan can hold out until international aid arrives. The Premier of our Executive Yuan is talking about taking the battles into the streets and fighting with fists and broomsticks. These scenarios of violence and bloodshed are not what the people of Taiwan are wishing for!
I believe “Export Goods Out, Welcome People In, Let Kaohsiung Prosper,” is what Kaohsiung people wishing for, and in this sense I see the ’92 Consensus is practical and realistic. My view on the ’92 Consensus is naturally “One China, Respective Interpretations” based on Constitution and The Act, certainly not “One Country Two Systems,” like Macau or Hong Kong. Some people say that the Beijing does not recognize “One China, Respective Interpretations.” I would like to point out that in the 8 years under KMT’s rule, Beijing certainly did not refuse to interact with us because of KMT’s stance on ’92 Consensus. In fact, during those 8 years, we signed many agreements, participated in many international activities, and more countries had granted us visa-waiver status.
In the course of my campaign as Mayor of Kaohsiung, I stressed the importance of economy. My basis for Cross Straits Relations is the ‘92 Consensus. My winning the election showed that the people of Taiwan did not reject my stance on this matter. I openly shout out to President Tsai and her administration. If they are not willing to recognize the ‘92 Consensus, then they must conceive some new ideals and concrete measures so that they can sustain peace and security in the Taiwan Straits and ensure Taiwan’s economic development. They must somehow enable the people of Taiwan to continuously live in freedom and democracy. So far, they have come up empty.
The United States is without a doubt a very important friend to Taiwan ROC. The US has been our ally in terms of economics, security, military, and politics. We had the Mutual Defense Treaty, and after wards we have the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides Taiwan with military defense capabilities. The US is also our important trade partner, and our mutual collaborations over the years have given Taiwan a secure and peaceful environment that allowed for our great economic and political developments. We cannot, and should not, drag our American friends down because we are not able to handle the Cross Straits relations effectively. It is one thing to befriend our American allies but it’s something else to take the American friendship for granted. We must assume our share of the responsibility to secure peace in the Taiwan Straits so that our people can live in democracy and prosperity.
To conclude, the reason I won the election is because the Kaohsiung people agree with my down to earth call for revitalizing the economy and upholding the stability. Actually most of the people in Taiwan all want, in my down to earth expression, “Taiwan is safe, and people are rich.” Since this is Harvard and there must be a lot of Christian friends here today, I would like to take a verse from the Bible’s Book of Philippians as my closing remark. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.”
I pressed on walking the walk and that is the power of being down to earth. Without feet on the ground, we cannot walk.
Thanks again for inviting me and thank you all very much for listening.
Thank you!
