U.S. Vice President Mike Pence lauded Taiwan’s embrace of democracy as “a better path for all the Chinese people” on October 4. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen referred to Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) as a lighthouse “for those who long for democracy” in her address at the 107th Double Tenth National Day celebrations on Oct. 10, 2018.
Please watch the following video of Taiwan’s Double Tenth National Day celebrations 2018.
Attended by 69 foreign delegations composed of 416 dignitaries from around the world, including Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, about 6,000 overseas Chinese, and others, the Double Tenth National Day Celebrations were held at the plaza in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei.
Taiwan’s National Day celebrations this year are themed ‘Taiwan Together (台灣共好).’ (Image: Screenshot of a video provided by the Presidential Office)
Unlike many other countries’ national day celebrations that mainly showcase their military prowess, Taiwan’s National Day celebrations this year displayed its soft power instead. The celebrations were themed “Taiwan Together (台灣共好),” hoping that all Taiwanese could stand together and show solidarity with each other so as to continue moving the country forward.
A group of students from a senior high school in Kaohsiung City performs in front of the Presidential Office Building. (Image: Screenshot of a video provided by the Presidential Office)
At the National Day celebration ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered an address titled “Democratic Taiwan Lights Up the World,” in which she compared Taiwan to a beacon, saying: “Taiwan’s democracy lights up the world.”
A float provided by a Taoist temple passes the Presidential Office Building. (Image: Screenshot of a video provided by the Presidential Office)
She also stressed that Taiwan will respond to the world’s dramatic changes “by seeking stability (求穩), adaptability (應變), and making progress (進步).” In addition, she reaffirmed that her administration will build a stronger Taiwan by strengthening national security, the economy, and the social safety net.
A float featuring Taiwan’s housing policy is displayed at the plaza of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
Another highlight of the ceremony was that six lighthouse keepers, along with a group of students from the National Defense University, were invited to lead the attendees to sing the national anthem, symbolizing that Taiwan is a lighthouse for democracy.
Twenty-four colorful floats are displayed at the plaza of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
Grand parade for National Day celebrations
The ceremony was followed by a grand parade led by the nation’s 50 top athletes in recognition of their outstanding performance at the Summer Asian Games in Indonesia this year. Sponsored by some public and civic organizations and local Taoist temples, a total of 24 colorful floats participated in the parade.
The float featuring Taipei’s mascot Bravo Bear is displayed at the plaza of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
After the parade, all the floats were on display at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, which is part of the National Day celebrations dubbed “10X10 Taipei Like You’ve Never Seen Before,” comprising a float carnival and a treasure hunt between Oct. 10 and 14.
The float featuring the cultural heritage in Tainan City is displayed at the plaza of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
Additionally, a massive projection mapping show was held to celebrate the Double Tenth National Day by illuminating the façade of the Presidential Office Building with images of the country’s beautiful scenery, unique wildlife species, and clips of its athletes’ outstanding performances at the 2018 Asian Games.
The national fireworks show was held at the Port of Hualien in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County. (Image: via Chen Ya-Shiue)
Please watch the following video of the Projection Mapping Show at the Presidential Office Building celebrating Taiwan’s 107th Double Tenth National Day.
The national fireworks show this year was specially held at the Port of Hualien in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County to help boost the County’s tourism industry after it was hit by a major earthquake in February this year.
The two sides of some streets in Taipei City are replete with national flags to celebrate Taiwan’s National Day. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
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