President Lai Vows to Uphold Taiwan's Democratic Path, Honoring Pioneers' Spirit
On the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election, President Lai Ching-te met with democracy pioneers like Yao Chia-wen on May 20. He thanked them for their sacrifices that led to Taiwan's democracy and prosperity, vowing to continue their legacy by prioritizing Taiwan and its free, democratic path. Lai also highlighted Taiwan's strong economic performance, with its nominal GDP reaching NT$32 trillion, attributing it to a strategy of global diversification away from China and promising continued efforts to face challenges and improve the nation.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 16:49
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 17:02 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 17:24 (22 min after Collected)
This year marks the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, and President Lai Ching-te, meeting with Presidential Office Senior Advisor Yao Chia-wen and other democracy pioneers today, stated that Taiwan's democracy and prosperity today are thanks to these pioneers who risked their lives for the democracy movement in difficult times, allowing Taiwan to flourish. He pledged to continue working diligently, adhering to a Taiwan-first policy and the path of freedom and democracy for Taiwan.
The Presidential Office issued a press release today, noting that the president, in his address while welcoming the democracy pioneers this morning, expressed his great pleasure in representing the Taiwanese people to welcome them and convey his sincere gratitude and respect. Today is May 20th, and this year is also the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, making it highly significant.
He said that the hard work and cumulative efforts of the democracy pioneers have enabled Taiwan's prosperity and development today. He expressed deep admiration and gratitude, feeling a profound sense of responsibility, especially for their willingness to risk their lives to engage in politics and the democracy movement during a time fraught with difficulties and dangers.
The President pointed out that as the challenges from China grow, so does his responsibility. He invited the democracy pioneers today to promise that he will follow in their footsteps, steadfastly uphold the ideals of the Taiwanese people, maintain the democratic and free system, and work to make the country and its economy better and better.
The President mentioned that Taiwan's freedom and democracy are ranked at the forefront by 'The Economist' and the U.S. 'Freedom House,' and its economic performance has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The economic growth rate for 2024 was 5.6%, which is already impressive, while last year's reached 8.68%. The growth rate for the first quarter of this year was 13.69%, and it is projected that the overall economic growth for this year could exceed 7%. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics also estimates that next year's growth rate could similarly reach 7% or 8%.
He stated that Taiwan's nominal GDP this year is 32 trillion. When former President Ma Ying-jeou handed over to former President Tsai Ing-wen, it was 17 trillion. When Tsai Ing-wen handed over to him, it was 25 trillion, and it has now reached 32 trillion, ranking Taiwan among the world's top 20 economies. He pointed out that this achievement comes from the strength of all sectors in Taiwan, especially the technology industry. A key reason for this is that Taiwan has not, as in the past, put all its eggs in the China basket, but has effectively implemented the national strategy to 'Stand firm in Taiwan, deploy globally, and market to the world.'
Finally, the President once again thanked the democracy pioneers for taking the time to attend. He said that at this important moment of the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, he especially represents the people of Taiwan to express gratitude and respect to all democracy pioneers, while also promising to continue to work hard, to insist on putting Taiwan first, and to adhere to the path of freedom and democracy for Taiwan.
The delegation of visitors included Presidential Office Senior Advisor Yao Chia-wen, National Policy Advisor Lin Kuang-yi, former National Policy Advisors Huang Tien-fu and Huang Hua, former Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, Taiwan-Japan Relations Association President Frank Hsieh, and Asia-Pacific Peace Research Foundation Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang, among others.
The Presidential Office issued a press release today, noting that the president, in his address while welcoming the democracy pioneers this morning, expressed his great pleasure in representing the Taiwanese people to welcome them and convey his sincere gratitude and respect. Today is May 20th, and this year is also the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, making it highly significant.
He said that the hard work and cumulative efforts of the democracy pioneers have enabled Taiwan's prosperity and development today. He expressed deep admiration and gratitude, feeling a profound sense of responsibility, especially for their willingness to risk their lives to engage in politics and the democracy movement during a time fraught with difficulties and dangers.
The President pointed out that as the challenges from China grow, so does his responsibility. He invited the democracy pioneers today to promise that he will follow in their footsteps, steadfastly uphold the ideals of the Taiwanese people, maintain the democratic and free system, and work to make the country and its economy better and better.
The President mentioned that Taiwan's freedom and democracy are ranked at the forefront by 'The Economist' and the U.S. 'Freedom House,' and its economic performance has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The economic growth rate for 2024 was 5.6%, which is already impressive, while last year's reached 8.68%. The growth rate for the first quarter of this year was 13.69%, and it is projected that the overall economic growth for this year could exceed 7%. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics also estimates that next year's growth rate could similarly reach 7% or 8%.
He stated that Taiwan's nominal GDP this year is 32 trillion. When former President Ma Ying-jeou handed over to former President Tsai Ing-wen, it was 17 trillion. When Tsai Ing-wen handed over to him, it was 25 trillion, and it has now reached 32 trillion, ranking Taiwan among the world's top 20 economies. He pointed out that this achievement comes from the strength of all sectors in Taiwan, especially the technology industry. A key reason for this is that Taiwan has not, as in the past, put all its eggs in the China basket, but has effectively implemented the national strategy to 'Stand firm in Taiwan, deploy globally, and market to the world.'
Finally, the President once again thanked the democracy pioneers for taking the time to attend. He said that at this important moment of the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections, he especially represents the people of Taiwan to express gratitude and respect to all democracy pioneers, while also promising to continue to work hard, to insist on putting Taiwan first, and to adhere to the path of freedom and democracy for Taiwan.
The delegation of visitors included Presidential Office Senior Advisor Yao Chia-wen, National Policy Advisor Lin Kuang-yi, former National Policy Advisors Huang Tien-fu and Huang Hua, former Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, Taiwan-Japan Relations Association President Frank Hsieh, and Asia-Pacific Peace Research Foundation Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang, among others.