President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) presided over the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis memorial ceremony this Friday in Kinmen. Institute for National Policy Research Senior Consultant Dr. Chen Wen-chia (陳文甲) provides insight into the meaning behind and importance of Lai’s appearance.
Chen notes that the DPP’s shift from indifference to honoring the second Taiwan Strait Crisis holds both symbolic and substantive significance. The DPP previously showed little interest in the historical KMT-led military resistance against communism, but has increased commemoration efforts in recent years. Chen says this fulfills one of Lai’s four key pillars—strengthening national defenses—and solidifies military support for his administration by making his presence known at Taiwan’s first line of defense in Kinmen.
The two Taiwan Strait Crises that took place 1954-55 and 1958 resulted in armed conflict over strategic islands in the Taiwan Strait, and saw the PRC bomb islands controlled by Taiwan. Chen says the crises helped solidify Taiwan’s defense system, while also providing the nation with the ability to delay or prevent enemy raids.
Chen adds that Kinmen also politically and symbolically reflects Taiwan’s determination and capability to resist Chinese military pressure. He says Lai presiding over the event helps strengthen national identity and unify Taiwanese people.