A Flag the World Won’t Show: Taiwan Flies Its Giant Banner Over Taipei

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A Tradition Born Under Pressure

Since 2019, Taiwan's military has flown an oversized flag over the capital every National Day. The flag hangs from a long, weighted cable under a US-built CH-47SD Chinook (a twin-rotor transport helicopter). It passes over the Presidential Office while the national anthem is sung.

The flag measures 12 by 18 metres (about 40 by 60 feet). It is made from the same tough, lightweight fabric used for parachutes.

The idea behind the flyover is simple: to strengthen unity at a time of growing Chinese pressure.

Rehearsals Draw Crowds

The military has been practising for weeks. According to Taiwan's Central News Agency, a half-scale rehearsal took place on 30 September. A full-scale rehearsal followed on 2 October.

In the full rehearsal, a Chinook with the flag crossed the Presidential Office at about 7:05 a.m., escorted by two Black Hawk helicopters. A formation of attack helicopters, fighter jets and the Air Force's Thunder Tiger aerobatic team followed. The jets trailed red, white and blue smoke.

Taiwan's defence ministry asked residents not to be alarmed by the engine noise. Earlier displays had worried some people in the city.

Spectators watching from Taipei's hills say the sight moves them. One viewer said the flag stands for freedom, democracy and free speech. One of the pilots, 40-year-old Lin Chang-cheng, described it as a concrete symbol of national sovereignty. He said that after years of being pushed aside internationally, seeing the flag displayed is deeply moving.

Why the Flag Is So Rarely Seen Abroad

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory. Beijing has stepped up efforts to stop other countries from engaging with Taipei. That includes keeping Taiwan's flag out of international sports events.

At the Olympics, Taiwanese athletes compete as "Chinese Taipei". They use a separately designed emblem instead of the national flag.

Neither government formally recognises the other. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment on this year's celebrations. After Lai's speech last year, Beijing called him a troublemaker and a war-maker.

The flag is also debated inside Taiwan. Some citizens who want a fully separate identity from China see it as a contested symbol.

Why 10 October?

National Day marks the anniversary of the 1911 uprising that toppled China's last imperial dynasty and led to the founding of the Republic of China.

In 1949, the Republic's government fled to Taiwan after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, who proclaimed the People's Republic of China. "Republic of China" is still Taiwan's formal name.

Taiwan was ruled under martial law until it became a full democracy in the 1980s and 1990s. It still uses its original constitution and flag.

From Cold War Parades to Soft Power

During the Cold War, National Day was heavily military. Speeches often spoke of "retaking the mainland".

Today the event puts more weight on Taiwan's culture and global visibility. This year's committee chair, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, has promised programmes that show the diversity, vitality and unity of Taiwanese society. The evening is set to end with fireworks at Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest buildings.

What to Watch on Saturday

President Lai will speak in the middle of the morning. He is expected to lay out his policy goals and address relations with China.

Last year, Lai used the same occasion to announce a multi-layered air defence system, which he called the "T-Dome", to counter the threat from China. Observers will be watching for his tone on defence and on Beijing this time.

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Sources

1. Reuters – "Giant Taiwan flag flies from helicopter for national day, defying Beijing" (9 Oct 2026): https://www.reuters.com/world/china/giant-taiwan-flag-flies-helicopter-national-day-defying-beijing-2026-10-09/
2. Focus Taiwan (CNA) – "Military stages full-scale National Day flyover rehearsal in Taipei" (2 Oct 2026): https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202610020005
3. Focus Taiwan (CNA) – "Military holds half-scale National Day aerial rehearsal in Taipei" (30 Sep 2026): https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202609300005
4. Focus Taiwan (CNA) – "National Day celebrations to showcase Taiwan's diversity, vitality: Speaker" (2 Oct 2026): https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202610020019
5. Express & Star (PA) – "Taiwan celebrates its National Day holiday against background of Chinese threats": https://www.expressandstar.com/world-news/taiwan-celebrates-its-national-day-holiday-against-background-of-chinese-threats-5756607
6. PTS (Taiwan Public Television) – report on the 2025 National Day ceremony and the "Taiwan Dome" announcement: https://news.pts.org.tw/article/774524

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