EDITORIAL: Celebrating 30 years of democracyDirect presidential elections signify that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation, President William Lai (賴清德) said on Saturday at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the first direct presidential vote. “Whether called the Republic of China [ROC], Republic of China (Taiwan), or simply Taiwan, the nation has gained a renewed life through constitutional amendments,” he added. Thirty years on, Taiwan is widely recognized as a “beacon of democracy” in Asia and a key economic hub for the global high-tech supply chain. Most of the nation’s presidents have been dedicated to promoting Taiwan as an independent and sovereign nation. Over three decades, direct presidential elections have nurtured Taiwan’s democratic system.

Source: Taipei Times March 19, 2026 16:04 UTC