President William Lai (賴清德) today commemorated the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre on social media, underscoring the importance of defending democracy and freedom.
"Every year on June 4, Taiwanese society lights candles of remembrance grounded in the universal values" shared among democracies, Lai said, adding that doing so was "not only about commemorating the history, but also about preserving the memory" of the incident.
As authoritarian regimes erase history, democracies "have a duty" to preserve it, he said.
Photo: AFP
Criticizing China without naming it, Lai also warned that 36 years on, the threat of authoritarianism by military intimidation, “gray zone” coercion, surveillance and extraterritorial repression remain a global challenge to democratic societies.
Taiwan stands on the frontlines of defending democratic values worldwide, he said, adding that it would continue working with like-minded partners to "safeguard the status quo" and protect democracy and freedom.
Taiwan endured decades of authoritarian rule before transitioning to democracy, a process made possible by the sacrifices and efforts of countless pro-democracy advocates, Lai said.
"We deeply understand the value of freedom and must not ignore the threats posed by authoritarian expansion to global democracy and the rule of law," he said.
In a Facebook post today, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that “June 4, 1989, has become a taboo topic in China, while Taiwan has taken the opposite path by cultivating the soil of democracy and sowing the seeds of freedom.”
Since 1989, Taiwan has seen eight direct presidential elections and three peaceful transitions of power, “showing the world Taiwan’s pursuit of freedom and willingness to protect democracy,” he said.
Citizens freely exercise the rights guaranteed to them in the Constitution with the ability to publicly criticize the government without worrying about government oppression, he said, adding that “this is a right the Chinese people have not had for 36 years.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party paid tribute to those who have fought for democracy from the past to the present.
“Standing in a free land, June 4 reminds Taiwanese society that totalitarianism is not far away,” the party said, adding that it has a responsibility to record history and warn of the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarianism.
“We will continue to strengthen national defense and economic resiliency and cooperate with friendly international partners, working together and safeguarding peace and democracy in Taiwan,” it said.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) said that today is a day to remember the difficulties of fighting for freedom and democracy.
“People must stand up in the face of dictatorship,” the KMT said in a Facebook post.
“The pursuit of freedom has never been eliminated in the hearts of Chinese people around the world. The KMT will never forget this history and will continue to fight for their democracy and freedom,” it said.
The Constitution enables the Republic of China to “serve as a beacon of democracy” for Chinese and the world at large, the party added.
In the early hours of June 4, 1989, peaceful Chinese student protesters who had gathered at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing to call for political reform were brutally cracked down on by Chinese troops under orders from then-Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平).
The number of deaths from the incident — which remains a sensitive and heavily censored topic in China — is estimated to range from several hundred to potentially more than 1,000, although some sources suggest the toll may have been higher.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or