Lai commemorates Second Taiwan Strait Crisis

Lai commemorates Second Taiwan Strait Crisis

2024-08-23

President Lai Ching-te on Friday visited Kinmen to preside over the commemoration ceremony of the August 23 Artillery Battle. At the event, Lai honored the veterans who participated in the battle and the families of the fallen soldiers. He also urged the people to unite and maintain their determination to protect Taiwan from China, stressing that Taiwan does not want to be ruled by the PRC.

On the 66th anniversary of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, President Lai Ching-te personally traveled to Mount Taiwu in Kinmen to preside over a memorial. Family members of the fallen soldiers were moved to tears upon seeing the president.

Lai greeted the family members of the fallen soldiers, and took the time to shake hands with each of the nearly seventy veterans who had participated in the battle. He expressed his gratitude for their role in defending Taiwan’s freedom and democracy. Lai himself was visibly emotional.

Lai Ching-te
President
I saw the memorial tablets of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, and I kept thinking about how tough it must have been back then. All the families of the fallen please stand, and we applaud you. Thank you for your sacrifices. This is our shared history.

As Taiwan continues to face threats from China today, President Lai voiced hope that the people of Taiwan will unite and remain resolute in defending the nation.

Lai Ching-te
President
As threats from China against Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Kinmen, and Matsu are as severe they were in previous years, we must remain determined to protect these territories and defend the R.O.C. The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis occurred before I was born and before the Democratic Progressive Party was even established. This shows that China’s intent to take Taiwan is not influenced by any individual or political party’s statements or actions. We need to understand this. Therefore, if we are to resist the threats from China in the future, we must remain united.

President Lai addressed the people, urging unity and determination in defending Taiwan. He also emphasized the DPP’s stance on the cross-strait relations, highlighting Taiwan’s position in the ongoing geopolitical situation.

Lai Ching-te
President
Our goal is to seek peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. We no longer aim to retake the mainland, but we also do not wish to be ruled by the Communist Party. We want to continue living in a democracy with freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

This is President Lai’s first visit to Kinmen since taking office. As the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Lai’s visit is a clear demonstration of Taiwan’s and his own determination.

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八二三66週年! 賴總統:不反攻大陸也不願受共產黨統治

2024-08-23

八二三砲戰66週年，總統賴清德來到金門，主持紀念儀式。總統中午宴請參戰官兵和陣亡將士遺族時，喊話國人要團結、有守護台澎金馬捍衛中華民國的決心，他也強調，台灣希望兩岸和平發展，我們不再反攻大陸，但是也不願意受共產黨統治。

八二三砲戰66週年，總統賴清德親自前往金門太武山，主持「追思祭悼陣亡烈士典禮」，遺族見到總統來，泣不成聲。

賴總統問候到場遺族，尤其近七十位參戰官兵，總統更是每一位都握著手，感謝當年守住台灣的自由民主，連他自己也忍不住情緒激動。

[[總統賴清德]]
“我看到八二三砲戰為國捐軀的英雄神主牌，我一直在想當年是如何地慘烈。所有寶眷都站起來，我們給你們一個熱烈掌聲，感謝你們，這是我們共同的歷史。”

尤其現今台灣仍面臨中國威脅，選在八二三這一天來到金門的賴總統，盼國人團結，有決心守護國家。

[[總統賴清德]]
“特別是當前台灣，台澎金馬面臨中國的威脅，並沒有比往年要來得少，在這種狀況之下，我們一定要有守護台澎金馬、捍衛中華民國的決心。823砲戰發生的時候我還沒出生，民進黨還沒有成立，可見一斑，中國要拿下台灣，不是台灣哪一個人、哪一個政黨說了什麼事情，做了什麼事情，通通不是，我們要了解這一點。所以未來如果我們要抵抗中國的威脅，我們一定要團結一致。”

一方面向國人喊話，另方面，總統也強調兩岸立場。

[[總統賴清德]]
“我們的目的，是希望兩岸和平發展。我們不再反攻大陸，但是我們也不願意受共產黨統治，我們要繼續過民主自由人權法治的生活。”

賴總統上任後首度來到金門，三軍統帥用行動證明國家和自己決心。

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