Friday marks the 78th anniversary of the 228 Incident, with both central and local governments holding memorial events. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), and Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) attended commemorative ceremonies in their respective cities, offering flowers and delivering speeches.
The 228 Incident refers to a series of events in 1947, culminating in the mass killing of Taiwanese elites, dissidents, and civilians by the Chinese nationalist-led Republic of China military. It marked the beginning of martial law, which lasted until 1987.
In his speech, President Lai emphasized that the 228 Incident was not caused by ethnic conflict alone, stating that attributing it solely to such tensions is irresponsible and ignores historical accountability. He pledged to accelerate the declassification of political archives, aiming to uncover the truth, unite Taiwan, safeguard democracy, and prevent history from repeating itself.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen stressed that while history can be forgiven, it must never be forgotten. He reminded the public that Taiwan’s democracy was hard-won through the sacrifices of past generations and urged political leaders to protect these values, fostering a healthier and more prosperous future.
Tainan Mayor Huang described the 228 Incident as a deep scar in Taiwan’s history and a painful yet pivotal step toward democracy. Expressing gratitude to those who fought for Taiwan’s freedom, he called on all Taiwanese to not only reflect on the past but also continue striving for a freer and better future.