He reminded Xi that Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) annihilated the six warring states and successfully unified China, becoming its first emperor. Instead, it endured tyrannical Qin rule, later plunging into the turmoil of its collapse and the subsequent Chu-Han contention (楚漢之爭). We must not shrink from our historical mission or allow ourselves to be burdened with historical anxieties. Instead, we should feel proud and fortunate to be the generation that would determine Taiwan’s future, and face this grave responsibility head on. However, once this generation fully recognizes the dangers of authoritarianism and totalitarianism, it would surely step forward to shoulder the historical mission of defending freedom and democracy.

Source: Taipei Times February 25, 2026 16:17 UTC