Taiwan’s 823 recall vote results were announced on August 23, 2025, with all 7 cases being rejected, and the restart of the third nuclear plant did not meet the threshold for a public referendum. President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, responded to the voting results by emphasizing that the people are the masters of the nation and that the results of the vote must be respected and accepted.
President Lai Ching-te’s full statement reads as follows:
Today, the people of Taiwan have once again demonstrated the power of democracy through recalls and referendums. This is the manifestation of the will of the people, and we must respect and accept the results.
I want to express special thanks to the millions of people who, over the past year, have been concerned about the turmoil in the parliament that could impact the country’s development. With petition after petition, they hoped to bring about change through their own efforts, enduring through rain and intense heat without ceasing their hard work. I extend my respect to all of them.
The value of democracy lies in hearing different voices; the citizens are the masters of the country. During this time, Taiwanese society has demonstrated its determination to safeguard freedom and democracy, conveying the expectation for dialogue, cooperation, and unity between different political factions.
Regardless of the volume of the voices, they represent the sentiments of the people. As the president, I will sincerely listen and keep these in mind. I also hope that whether in power or opposition, the expectations of the millions of people can be heard.
Regarding the failed public referendum on the restart of the third nuclear plant, we respect the outcome, while also understanding the society’s desire for diversified energy choices.
Throughout the decades of debates on nuclear energy issues, the biggest consensus in Taiwanese society has been ‘safety.’ Safety is not just a scientific issue but also a matter of people’s peace of mind.
As I mentioned before the referendum, nuclear safety is a scientific issue that requires verification and cannot be thoroughly resolved in a single referendum.
Regarding the possibility of restarting nuclear power plants, according to the amendments to the Nuclear Regulatory Act in May of this year, the government’s position involves two necessary steps: first, the Atomic Energy Council must establish a method for safety assessments; second, Taiwan Power Company must conduct independent safety checks according to this method.
I ask the Atomic Energy Council to solicit opinions from various sectors and expedite the completion of the relevant regulations. I also urge Taiwan Power Company to initiate self-inspections of old nuclear units following the regulatory announcements and regularly report progress and risks to society. If they meet the standards, they should be submitted to the Atomic Energy Council for review.
The government will adhere to the ‘Three Principles,’ namely, nuclear safety, waste management, and social consensus. This is our firm stance in addressing nuclear energy issues prudently.
Therefore, if in the future, the technology becomes safer, the nuclear waste decreases, and the societal acceptance increases, we will not rule out advanced nuclear energy.
What the people want is peace of mind and stable power supply, which is the government’s undeniable responsibility. In the future, we will continue to promote energy transition to make Taiwan’s development safer and more sustainable.
Fellow citizens, I have been in office for 1 year and 3 months. The governing team will constantly self-reflect on the inadequacies in governance and make necessary adjustments.
Premier Su Tseng-chang has offered to resign multiple times following the recall vote on July 26. However, at this moment, the Taiwan-US trade negotiations have not concluded, and the recovery and reconstruction from typhoons and heavy rains are ongoing. Similarly, there are additional budgets, special budgets this year, and the central government’s budget for the next fiscal year pending review in the legislature. There are also many significant national policies that need stable implementation.
Therefore, I hope that Premier Su will continue to stand firm in his position, shoulder the heavy responsibilities, and join us in fulfilling the critical missions of the country. In response to the people’s expectations, the governing team will make ‘four adjustments’:
First, restructuring the cabinet. Necessary personnel reorganization will be initiated to make the team more efficient and the governance more impactful.
Second, reordering governance priorities. We will focus on the ‘four priorities’: economic, livelihood, vulnerable groups, and youth, and implement them concretely in various special budgets and the annual government budget to promote people’s livelihood, drive industrial development, strengthen economic resilience, and continue to enhance the nation.
Third, adjusting the interaction between the executive and legislative branches. We will staunchly defend national interests while hoping for more dialogues across party lines to collectively safeguard Taiwan and promote policies for the benefit of the people.
Fourth, adjusting the national financial structure. The stability of the national finances is essential for ensuring sustainable development for future generations. We also look forward to jointly searching for ways to strengthen the national financial structure, ensuring the long-term development of the country.
Fellow citizens, today also marks the 67th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of 823. That year, regardless of ethnicity, the people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu united to defend Kinmen and Taiwan.
While the challenges today may be different, the unity required is the same. Only by being united can we safeguard our country and ensure the precious democracy and freedom we cherish.
I will take the spirit of 823 as a lesson and join all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, in working together to lead Taiwan towards a more democratic, secure, and prosperous future.