This year marks the 66th anniversary of the 823 Battle. President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, today (23rd) presided over the “66th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of the Victory of the 823 Battle”. He expressed gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of the martyrs and hoped that in the future, everyone will continue to inherit the spirit of the 823 Battle, stating, “We must be determined to safeguard Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, defend the Republic of China, and unite to resist the threats from the Chinese Communist Party.”
President Lai Ching-te arrived in Kinmen this morning and first went to the Martyrs Shrine on Mount Taiwu to perform the main sacrificial rites, offering incense, flowers, and gifts to the soldiers. After the master of ceremonies read the sacrificial text, President Lai and the accompanying officials paid their respects with three bows, expressing their remembrance. Subsequently, he proceeded to the cemetery area on Mount Taiwu to participate in the commemoration ceremony, expressing sincere condolences and gratitude to the martyrs who selflessly dedicated themselves to the nation.
At noon today, President Lai Ching-te went to Jinshui Mountain Villa in Kinmen for a luncheon with the participating officers, soldiers, and families of the fallen. In his address, he mentioned that today marks the 66th anniversary of the 823 Battle, and as the President of the Republic of China and Commander-in-Chief, he presided over the ceremony with a grateful heart, paying tribute to the heroes who sacrificed for the country in the 823 Battle.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned that during the commemoration ceremony, as he saw the names of the heroes who sacrificed in the 823 Battle on the spirit tablets, he couldn’t help but think of the fierce situation back then. His uncle had participated in the 823 Battle, and since childhood, he had heard his uncle recount the determination of everyone during the battle and the unfortunate deaths of brothers by his side. Therefore, when he stood before the spirits of the 823 Battle today to pay his respects, he felt deep admiration and gratitude.
After the Chinese Communist Party seized control of mainland China in 1949, the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek could only relocate to Taiwan due to the circumstances. Using Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu as bases, they united with freedom-loving individuals from home and abroad to engage in the arduous struggle against communism. In 1949, the Nationalist Army achieved victories in the battles of Kinmen’s Guningtou and Zhusan Islands, temporarily halting the Communist forces’ offensive. Faced with the blockade of the Taiwan Strait, although the Chinese Communist Party dared not act recklessly, they still loudly claimed they would “liberate” Taiwan.
Mao Zedong decided to launch artillery attacks on Kinmen. On August 20, 1958, former President Chiang Kai-shek, along with the then Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Chiang Ching-kuo, arrived in Kinmen by boat to inspect the defenses and personally gave important instructions: “The most likely target of the Communist forces’ attack is Kinmen, we should defend it with a determination to die.” Hu Lian, the Commander of the Kinmen Defense Command, led all the officers in standing up to assure President Chiang Kai-shek: “The officers and soldiers in Kinmen will never disappoint the President’s expectations, they are willing to defend Kinmen with a determination to die and achieve victory.”
On the afternoon of August 23, 1958, the Chinese Communist Army stationed artillery units along the coast of Fujian suddenly launched a fierce bombardment on Kinmen, known as the 823 Artillery Battle (Kinmen Artillery Battle). During the 44-day artillery battle, the Communist forces fired nearly 480,000 shells across the Kinmen Islands’ 148 square kilometers, causing 80 deaths, 85 serious injuries, 136 minor injuries, the complete destruction of 2,649 houses, and the partial destruction of 2,397 houses.
The day after the Kinmen Artillery Battle broke out, the U.S. Department of Defense immediately announced that the Seventh Fleet was on combat alert in the Taiwan Strait, assisting the Taiwan Navy supply fleet to continue resupply operations to Kinmen. The military also received powerful support from the U.S., including new 12 8-inch howitzers with a range of 16 kilometers, 240mm “Big Guns,” F86 Sabre fighter jets, and Sidewinder missiles. Under the leadership of the then Minister of National Defense Yu Da-wei and the Kinmen Defense Command’s General Hu Lian, the Nationalist Army’s valiant counterattacks inflicted a heavy blow on the Communist forces.
In addition, as the convener of the White Group established in Taiwan, Okamura Yasuji, the Chief of the Japanese Army General Staff, helped train the Nationalist Army and strengthen various underground fortifications and bunker defenses in Kinmen. His contributions were crucial in the Nationalist Army’s victories from the Battle of Guningtou to the 823 Battle, thwarting the Communist party’s attempt to communistize Taiwan, and laying the foundation for the stability of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu today.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned, “Today, I met with many families of fallen soldiers. I want to express my respect to all the bereaved families, thanking their family members for their contributions to the country; this is our shared history.” He also thanked the Ministry of National Defense for arranging the gathering and hoped that in the future, everyone would continue to uphold the spirit of the 823 Battle, not letting the sacrifices of every soldier involved in that battle be in vain.
“We must be determined to protect Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, defend the Republic of China,” he pointed out, echoing the determination of the officers and soldiers who participated in the 823 Battle. “Especially now, facing threats from the Chinese Communist Party, there are no fewer challenges than in the past. While the Chinese Communist Party may engage in infiltration, propaganda, and division, we must understand that their ultimate goal goes beyond taking Taiwan; they want to change the rules-based international order in the Western Pacific and even the world, as continually emphasized by the international community.”
President Lai Ching-te emphasized, “When the 823 Battle took place, I wasn’t born yet, and the Democratic Progressive Party hadn’t been established. This shows that the Chinese Communist Party’s desire to take over Taiwan is not due to the actions or statements of any individual or party in Taiwan. If the government and soldiers back then had not been determined enough, in the face of military threats and various forms of division by the Chinese Communist Party, we would not have been able to win the 823 Battle and successfully defend the Republic of China.”
“We must unite. The officers and soldiers who participated in the battle back then didn’t distinguish between regions or ethnic groups; the military and civilians cooperated together. When I consoled the families earlier, I learned that the participants came from Kinmen, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Tainan, Miaoli, New Taipei, and other places,” President Lai Ching-te said.
President Lai Ching-te stated, “Our goal is to promote peaceful cross-strait development. Taiwan is a peace-loving country, and Taiwanese people are kind-hearted. We no longer launch offensives towards the mainland, but also refuse to be ruled by the Communist Party. We want to continue living in a democratic, free, human rights-respecting, and law-abiding society. We are striving for our way of life and the peaceful development of the Taiwan Strait, which is our common goal.”
President Lai Ching-te said, “In recent years, the government has continuously enhanced our national defense capabilities, and the military budget for next year will be even higher than this year. In addition to taking care of the officers and soldiers and safeguarding their rights and interests, we will also enhance training, purchase advanced weapons and equipment. At the same time, we stand side by side with the democratic camp, demonstrating our determination to defend the country to the international community. We are willing to cooperate with the democratic camp to maintain peace and development in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”
Finally, President Lai Ching-te once again expressed the most heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the entire nation to everyone who participated in the 823 Battle. If it weren’t for their determination to unite, not compromise, and resist division to win this battle, Taiwan wouldn’t be where it is today. “In the face of threats from the Chinese Communist Party, our sole goal is to defend national sovereignty, uphold democracy, and secure the lives and properties of 23.5 million people. Let’s all work together.”
Today, including Minister of National Defense Wei Lixiong, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Liu Dejin, Army Commander Chung Shuming, Kinmen Defense Command Commander Lee Dingzhong, and Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Fu-hai, also attended the event.