TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) presided Wednesday (Sept. 3) over the Republic of China's (Taiwan) 114th autumn memorial ceremony honoring fallen heroes and civil servants, as regional tensions with mainland China continue to escalate. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and the heads of Taiwan's five branches of government, the island's constitutional framework, joined the solemn commemoration at Taipei's National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine (國民革命忠烈祠). The ceremony unfolded earlier that day amid heightened cross-strait military activities and an ongoing military parade at China's Tiananmen Square.
The formal ceremony commenced at 10 a.m. with President Lai joined by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), and Legislative Yuan (立法院) President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), alongside other high-ranking government officials. Political tensions surfaced subtly when Lai acknowledged Premier Cho with a respectful nod upon arrival but notably refrained from any interaction with Legislative Yuan President Han. The solemn proceedings continued with Lai offering floral tributes to honor the fallen, followed by the traditional reading of memorial texts and ceremonial bows.
Meanwhile, Beijing orchestrated a grand military parade at Tiananmen Square (天安門) commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the global anti-fascist campaign. Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) delivered a keynote address to the assembled crowd, emphasizing China's pivotal contributions to worldwide anti-fascist efforts during the conflict. The elaborate military display attracted 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, featuring comprehensive formations and demonstrations of China's expanding military capabilities.
President Lai emphasized Tuesday that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of World War II's conclusion, while referencing historical Chinese aggression, including the 1958 Kinmen sea battle and Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. He condemned the People's Republic of China, mainland China, for persistently disturbing Taiwan's territories through gray-zone warfare tactics and provocative military activities. Lai highlighted Taiwan's substantial defense investment, with military spending reaching 3.32% of GDP according to NATO calculation standards, targeting an ambitious 5% by 2030 to counter escalating regional security threats from ongoing Chinese military operations. ◼