Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Commemorates 1958 Battle, Vows Defense of Sovereignty
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te traveled to Kinmen on Sunday to mark the 68th anniversary of the 1958 battle with Chinese forces, a confrontation that marked the last large-scale clash between Taiwanese and Chinese troops. During the visit, Lai laid a wreath and bowed at a memorial park in heavy rain, honoring veterans of the conflict.
In his remarks, Lai emphasized that peace can only be secured through strength and that not even an inch of territory can be sacrificed. He expressed gratitude to veterans who, in his words, "stood united and fought a bloody battle to repel communist totalitarian aggression." Lai also stated that "peace has never simply fallen from the sky," underscoring the need for vigilance and military preparedness.
Historical Context of the 1958 Battle
The 1958 conflict, known as the start of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, began when Chinese forces launched more than a month of bombardment against the islands of Kinmen and Matsu, including naval and air battles, in an attempt to force them into submission. Taiwan, with support from the United States, fought back, and the crisis ultimately ended in a stalemate. Taiwan has controlled Kinmen and Matsu since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's communists. No peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed between the two sides.
Kinmen, located less than 2 kilometers from Chinese-controlled territory, remains a sensitive front-line outpost. Taiwan observes August 23 annually as the date it fended off the Chinese attack.
Defense Spending and Regional Tensions
Lai highlighted the necessity of maintaining "the spirit of never yielding an inch" of Taiwan, Kinmen, and other island groups while continuously boosting military spending. Taiwan's planned defense spending for the next year will exceed 1 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($30 billion) for the first time, according to government announcements.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lai's remarks. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly denounced Lai as a "separatist." Lai rejects Beijing's sovereignty over Taiwan, asserting that only Taiwan's people can decide their future, while also offering talks with China.
Ongoing Patrols and Regional Unease
The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China's coast guard has conducted regular "law enforcement" patrols around Kinmen since early 2024. Lai said China had not stopped its "ambitions for external expansion for even a single day" for 68 years, bringing "unease" across the Indo-Pacific region.