On June 4th, the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen stated that a truly respectable nation is one that allows its people to speak freely. Commemorating the events of June 4th holds significance for individuals around the world who cherish democracy and freedom, sharing the common belief that only through democracy can people be truly protected.
June 4th marks the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square democracy movement. The Chinese Communist Party continues to prohibit any public commemorations of the victims of the June 4th tragedy, including the sharing of memorial images online. The “Tiananmen Square Tower Visit Reservation” official WeChat account notified the closure of the tower on June 4th. This anniversary has become a “sensitive day” for the Chinese Communist Party, with universities across mainland China instructing teachers to monitor students’ ideological tendencies and cease all related activities. Meanwhile, overseas locations including Taiwan are hosting commemorative events in remembrance of June 4th.
President Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook today to express that 35 years ago, the world watched in silence as the events unfolded at Tiananmen Square. During that time, a wave of democratization swept globally, with young students in various Asian countries also rising up to call for democratic freedoms and national reform.
He mentioned that Taiwan’s transition from authoritarianism to democracy was built upon the sacrifices and dedication of predecessors. The youth of today carry on the torch of democracy, continuing to deepen democratic values. Within Taiwan, movements such as the Wild Lily student movement in March 1990, the Wild Strawberry student movement in November 2008, and the Sunflower student movement in March 2014 have sprung forth, along with recent controversies surrounding the parliamentary reform bill led by the Kuomintang and People First Party resulting in the “Bluebird Movement” across Taiwan’s 15 counties.
“A truly respectable nation is one that allows its people to speak freely,” Tsai Ing-wen emphasized, stating that any government should courageously face the voices of its people, especially the younger generation, as societal reforms often rely on diverse opinions. The power of the youth in driving national innovation should not be suppressed but rather protected and encouraged by the state.
Tsai Ing-wen reiterated that commemorating June 4th is not just about the historical event itself but also about the global community that values democracy and freedom, sharing the common belief that only through democracy can people be truly protected. The memories of June 4th will not fade in the tide of history; efforts will continue to ensure that this historical memory remains in people’s hearts, moving and inspiring all those who care about Chinese democracy.
“Because this reminds us that democracy and freedom are hard-won, we must use democracy to forge consensus, respond to authoritarianism with freedom, face the expansion of authoritarian rule with courage, and unite to confront challenges. In the future, we will continue to unite all forces to deepen democracy in Taiwan, collaborate with like-minded nations, and together, build a better world.”