Taiwan National Day: Forging On and Never Giving Up

Udumbara Udumbara
Oct 15, 2025 - 09:55 Updated: Oct 15, 2025 - 09:44
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Taiwan National Day: Forging On and Never Giving Up

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Commentary
The following is an excerpt from a speech given by Ambassador Harry Tseng, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, at a reception marking Taiwan’s 114th National Day, observed on Oct. 10, at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa on Oct. 7, 2025.

I am sure many of you would agree that 2025 has been quite an unusually eventful year. As I look back, a few thoughts came to my mind, and I would like to share some of my reflections.

First, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. While many countries are reflecting on the past and reaffirming their commitments to peace in different ways, China chose to commemorate the occasion with a grand military parade, showcasing its military might under the banner of victory in the anti-fascist war.

Yet the fact that the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949 and recently marked its 76th anniversary makes one wonder: How could it have fought with the Allies in WWII before it even existed? And how could the leaders of Russia, China, and North Korea standing alongside each other not remind us the cult of the strongman and the traits of fascism? Indeed, by misinterpreting the history, China has stolen our thunder.

In contrast, while China held its parade on Sept. 3, Taiwan observed it as Armed Forces’ Day, a day much like Remembrance Day in Canada, a day to honour the courage and sacrifices of fallen soldiers who brought ultimate peace. On this day in Taiwan, our president laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Shrine and declared that we do not commemorate peace from the barrel of a gun, but rather through our strenuous efforts to maintain peace.

As humanity has worked to emerge from the shadow of war, it is vital to remember that learning from history is not about fuelling hatred, but about guiding us toward a more peaceful future. And that is the stark difference between authoritarianism and democracy.

My second reflection derives from the thought of how nations are adapting to today’s unprecedented yet interconnected global challenges. In the face of rapid geopolitical changes, countries, including Canada, are seeking the best strategies to weather the storms and re-emerge stronger.

Taiwan is no stranger to overcoming obstacles against all odds. Despite being excluded from the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, we built societal resilience, contained the virus, and achieved an average economic growth of 4.27 percent between 2020 and 2022. Taiwan’s role in the global supply chain has also grown more salient and dynamic in the post-pandemic era.

Two weeks ago, the International Civil Aviation Organization convened its 42nd Assembly in Montreal. Despite being a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific, Taiwan was excluded nonetheless. But we followed the ICAO standards and regulations and worked hard to excel. Our appeal has won support from like-minded countries, and our innovation, such as in drone application and carbon offsetting, has been widely recognized as vital contributions to safer and seamless skies.
We know the importance of constant adaptation and keeping pace with the times. Looking back, it was out of the first Oil Crisis in the early 1970s when the Taiwan government decided to develop its semiconductor industry starting from scratch. After half a century, we now have the industry’s supply chain of more than 500 companies in our Hsinchu Science Park and we have become a global leader. Our pragmatic approach to adapt has brought steady, incremental success.

This brings me to my final reflection. As the English proverb says, “All is not lost that is in danger.” It is our belief that those who live in hardship endure, while those who indulge in comforts risk decline. The truth of this has been confirmed and verified empirically time and again.

For Taiwan, the hardship we face is standing on the front line of military threats and hybrid warfare posed by an authoritarian state. We have no choice but to remain vigilant. Our government has pledged to strengthen self-defence, raising defence spending to 3.32 percent of GDP next year, with plans to reach 5 percent by 2030.

And we are sparing no effort to bring our Whole-of-Society Defense and Resilience strategy into action. Through urban resilience exercises, from cities to counties, we are mobilizing every sector of our society, involving every citizen, regardless of professions, backgrounds, genders, or ages. Because we know that peace cannot rest on the goodwill of aggressors, Taiwan needs to show its commitment to peace through strength.

To conclude, the challenges we face today may be a blessing in disguise, because resilience is born from hardship, vigilance is sharpened by uncertainty, and our solidarity to uphold freedom and democracy is enhanced when we stand firm against external threats.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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