President Lai Ching-te’s Inaugural National Day Address: Taiwan’s International Persona

Wearing his favorite purple tie—a color blending the red and blue of the Republic of China’s national flag—President Lai Ching-te delivered his first National Day speech on October 10. Titled “Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream,” the address was framed by clusters of Taiwan-origin moth orchids, their purple hues echoing the beauty of the president’s chosen neckwear. While such occasions have traditionally been viewed as a platform for the Taiwanese president to send messages to China, President Lai chose different target audiences this time—not one, but two: Taiwanese citizens and international observers. His address reflected Taiwan’s evolving international standing and growing relevance to global peace and stability. By expanding beyond the customary China-centric approach, President Lai positioned Taiwan as an autonomous global actor rather than merely China’s counterpart. This nuanced strategy reinforced Taiwan’s de facto independence and aligned with broader diplomatic efforts to gain international support and recognition from democratic partners.

Here are four takeaways from President Lai’s 2024 National Day address:

Taiwan Champions Democracy in a Global Struggle Against Autocracies

“We will never forget the Battle of Guningtou 75 years ago, or the August 23 Artillery Battle 66 years ago. Though we arrived on this land at different times and belonged to different communities, we defended Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. We defended the Republic of China.”

President Lai opened his address by referencing three pivotal events: the Battle of Guningtou 75 years ago, the August 23 Artillery Battle 66 years ago, and the Kaohsiung Incident 45 years ago. His intended to remind Taiwanese citizens that their island’s democracy was hard-won, not a given, drawing parallels to the present situation. This carefully crafted narrative emphasized that democracy remains an ongoing struggle while subtly contrasting the cross-strait situation: one side marked by hard-fisted autocracy, the other by vibrant democracy. Furthermore, acknowledging the unprecedented international attention on U.N. Resolution 2758, he noted that while “the Republic of China was driven out of the international community,” Taiwan’s willingness to contribute to the world as a force for good remains unwavering.

The Message to China? Act as a Responsible Global Actor

“We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe.”

Last month, Lai challenged China’s claim over Taiwan based on territorial integrity. He argued that if this were truly Beijing’s motivation, they would also seek to reclaim other historic lands once part of the Chinese empire, referencing the 1858 Treaty of Aigun. “If it is really for territorial integrity, why doesn’t China take back Russia?” he questioned. Moreover, at a concert celebrating Taiwan’s National Day five days before Double Tenth, Lai asserted it was “absolutely impossible” for China to be Taiwan’s “motherland,” noting that Taiwan’s government was established in 1911, long before the current Communist regime in mainland China was founded in 1949. “On the contrary, the Republic of China may actually be the motherland of citizens of the People’s Republic of China who are over 75 years old,” he said with a smile. These two events explained why he sent fewer messages to China on this occasion. He had already conveyed his message to Beijing and saw no need to repeat the same narrative. Instead, he dedicated more time to addressing Taiwanese citizens and international audience.

Lai, however, introduced a new dimension to cross-strait relations. He reiterated that the People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan, and he will uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon Taiwan’s sovereignty. The new element was his appeal to China, citing two ongoing global conflicts, to act as a responsible stakeholder—not just for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but worldwide. This acknowledgment of China’s international negotiating power also served to highlight Taiwan’s own responsibility and relevance on the global stage.

Taking a Hard Stance Against Money Politics

“No matter our political party, no matter our political stances, national interests come before the interests of parties, and the interests of parties can never take precedence over the interests of the people.”

Often overlooked, the speech’s focus on domestic challenges, covering climate change, an aging population, housing issues, and rampant money politics, deserved attention. The emphasis on fighting real estate opportunism and corruption, in particular, showed a deep recognition of the systemic issues challenging Taiwanese faith in democracy. This focus on clean governance is especially salient given the country’s history of corruption scandals. By addressing these issues directly, Lai aimed to strengthen the foundations of Taiwan’s democratic institutions. Furthermore, his call for national unity and prioritizing collective interests over partisan politics was reminiscent of U.S. President Joe Biden’s Oval Office speech. As a former legislator and current president, Lai has firsthand experience with the Legislative Yuan’s gridlock and understands how such impasses can hinder policy agendas, potentially dimming the DPP’s prospects in the 2026 local elections. This unity is particularly crucial now, during the current budget session where the record-high military budget hangs in the balance—with several legislators threatening cuts.

Different President, Consistent Commitment

“Our efforts to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain unchanged. Our commitment to hoping for parity and dignity, and healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges between the two sides of the strait remains unchanged. Our determination, from one generation to the next, to protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged.”

Undoubtedly, Lai’s “four unchanged” principles mirrored Tsai’s “four insistences.” His foreign affairs team, which includes many holdovers from the Tsai administration, and his rhetoric asserting that “the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other,” demonstrated a high degree of consistency and continuity. This approach reassured Taiwanese citizens, the U.S., and the international community that despite being labeled a “diehard separatist,” he is not an idealist but a pragmatist.

However, comparing President Lai’s remarks with those of President Tsai or other predecessors serves little purpose. Each leader brings a unique style, background, and set of policy priorities to the role, while navigating a distinct international landscape. Moreover, tallying mentions of “Republic of China,” “Republic of China (Taiwan),” or “Taiwan” misses the essence of Lai’s approach. Known for his pragmatism, Lai has consistently emphasized—on four key occasions (May 20, June 16, August 23, and October 5)—that these terms are all valid names for the nation, both domestically and internationally. His intention is to utilize this inclusive stance to strengthen Taiwan’s collective identity and foster unity among its people—acknowledging that the journey of Taiwanese national identity formation is still a long way ahead.

(Featured photo by Taiwan’s Presidential Office)