On the 37th anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen Square massacre, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) called on China to confront the events of 1989, acknowledge the truth, heal the wounds, and open a path towards reconciliation and dialogue. 

In a Facebook post, Lai recalled how thousands of passionate young people were killed by soldiers and tanks in Beijing and across China on this day, crushed along with the generation’s aspirations for freedom and democracy. He stressed that a truly great nation should embrace diverse voices and protect its people’s right to dream, rather than relying on military force or suppressing dissidents. 

“When the truth remains sealed, memory is the force that resists forgetting.” Lai wrote, pledging that Taiwan will stand with all who pursue freedom until the truth is seen and no one loses their life seeking it. 

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) also posted a reminder to “never forget June 4,” calling it “our duty” to uphold democracy, freedom and human rights.