On October 25, 2024, it is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou in Kinmen. President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, went to Kinmen to preside over the “75th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the Battle of Guningtou” and had lunch with veteran soldiers and their families. He emphasized, “We cherish the way of life of democracy and freedom, and will not allow any external forces to change the future of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.”
President Lai Ching-te arrived in Kinmen this morning. He first went to the Martyrs Shrine on Taiwu Mountain to serve as the chief officiant, offering incense, flowers, and sacrifices to the soldiers. After the emcee read the sacrificial text, he led the accompanying officials in a solemn bow of respect to express remembrance. Later, Lai Ching-te went to the Mass Gravesite to preside over a flower-laying ceremony and pay tribute to the veteran soldiers and their families.
During the lunch with the veteran soldiers and their families, Lai Ching-te mentioned that today marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou. Earlier, he presided over a memorial ceremony at Taiwu Mountain Cemetery to pay tribute to the loyal spirits who sacrificed themselves for the country. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the nation to the veterans, their families, and the former Kinmen Defense Force representatives.
Lai Ching-te stated, “In addition to commemorating this pivotal battle, we must also remember the sacrifices of our veteran soldiers. They, on that arduous battlefield, regardless of seniority or ethnicity, defended Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, and fought for national sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.” Many veteran soldiers present at the event are elderly but still care about the country’s development, and he thanked them for their dedication to defending the homeland.
He believed that the indomitable spirit inherited from the Battle of Guningtou has taught us that democracy and freedom are not to be taken for granted, but require generations to jointly safeguard. President Lai Ching-te reiterated the determination to defend national sovereignty, maintain the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, commit to equal dignity and healthy dialogue and exchanges across the strait, and uphold the legacy of safeguarding democracy and freedom.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned that the current regional situation remains complex, with North Korea sending troops to Russia indicating that authoritarianism continues to cooperate and expand. He affirmed that Taiwan will stand united and continue to defend democracy, freedom, and the nation.
He took the opportunity to express gratitude once again to the brothers and sisters of the armed forces who tirelessly guard the front lines day and night, defending the seas, protecting the airspace, and safeguarding the territory. Soldiers from the local Kinmen Defense Department and coast guard comrades work hard to respond to various threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles, in the gray areas.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he pledged to remain a strong support for the military, continue to promote reforms, enhance military capabilities and service environments, strengthen national defense strength, deepen cooperation with global democratic partners, and jointly maintain peace, democracy, and prosperity in the region and the world.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China published an illustration showing the activities of Chinese Communist military aircraft and vessels near Taiwan. The military detected four instances of Chinese military aircraft (including two that crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait) and four Chinese vessels conducting activities around Taiwan. The armed forces closely monitor and respond with mission aircraft, ships, and land-to-air missile systems.
Strategic advisor to the Presidential Office and Director of the National Security Bureau, Hu Shou-ye, strategic advisors to the Presidential Office Lin Zhen-yi, Wang Xinlong, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Wu Zhaoxie, Minister of National Defense Gu Lixiong, Commander of the Air Force Liu Renyuan, Commander of the Navy Tang Hua, Deputy Commander of the Army Chen Zhongwen, Commander of the Kinmen Defense Command Li Dingzhong, and Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Fuhai also attended today’s event.