Taiwan President Commemorates August 23rd Battle, Urges Vigilance Amid Cross-Strait Tensions

President Lai Ching-te marked the 68th anniversary of the August 23rd Battle in Kinmen, honoring the soldiers who defended the Republic of China and secured 68 years of peace in the Taiwan Strait. Standing in the rain at the Taiwu Mountain Military Cemetery, Lai emphasized the battle's crucial role in repelling the People's Liberation Army and thwarting Chinese expansion into the First Island Chain and the Indo-Pacific.

Lai invoked the spirit of the defenders, reminding attendees that "even in times of peace, forgetting war invites danger." He stressed that peace is not guaranteed and that sacrificing sovereignty for a peace agreement leads only to humiliation. The victory in the August 23rd Battle, he asserted, stands as the best proof that strength ensures peace.

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Even in times of peace, forgetting war invites danger.

The commemoration also became a stage for political discourse. Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Chu Li-luan urged Lai to "be a true president of the Republic of China for a day," calling for an end to the "hollowing out" of the constitution and the abandonment of the independence party platform. She proposed that acknowledging the "1992 Consensus" and renouncing independence could reopen cross-Strait dialogue and reduce tensions, leading to genuine peace.

Meanwhile, the article also touches upon other domestic issues. It notes that KMT legislator Alicia Wang's controversial remarks have generated significant negative feedback, making her a litmus test for KMT candidates. Additionally, heavy rainfall prompted class suspensions in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Hualien, with warnings of potential disasters in southern and eastern mountainous areas.

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Be a true president of the Republic of China for a day.