TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who also serves as DPP chair, opened the party’s national congress Sunday at the Taipei International Convention Center with a speech marking the party’s 40th anniversary, per CTI.
Lai praised the DPP for completing 10 consecutive years in power, saying the party’s governance has noticeably improved Taiwan. “With the DPP in power, Taiwan is safer and more progressive; it has a better and more competitive economy, and Taiwanese receive better care,” Lai said.
He said the DPP’s founding generation courageously resisted authoritarian rule, sacrificing their freedom and lives to help establish democracy in Taiwan. He called on citizens to remember and honor their contributions.
Over its four-decade history, the DPP has experienced both victories and setbacks, Lai said, adding that the party has received both praise and criticism.
However, he said the party’s most valuable achievement is not any single election result but its continued belief that “the people of Taiwan have the right to decide their own future” and that Taiwan deserves lifelong protection for future generations.
Lai recalled that 30 years ago, Taiwan held its first direct presidential election. He said the election shaped the DPP’s understanding of Taiwan’s national identity and contributed to the passage of the party’s Resolution on Taiwan’s Future in 1999 and Resolution on Ethnic Diversity and National Unity in 2004.
Lai said the resolutions affirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty and democratic system, stating that Taiwan is not subordinate to China regardless of ethnic background. He said uniting Taiwanese, defending sovereignty, and protecting democracy and freedom are responsibilities passed down from previous generations of democracy advocates and remain the DPP’s commitment to the public.
Lai highlighted Taiwan’s economic performance, citing the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, which ranked Taiwan fourth globally. He said Taiwan ranked 14th when the DPP returned to power in 2016 and has since achieved its highest-ever ranking.
Lai said the past decade has demonstrated to the world that democracy is not a weakness but a strength, adding that Taiwan has become more resilient and confident when facing challenges. He also outlined the government’s defense policies, saying the administration has promoted defense reforms, strengthened asymmetric warfare capabilities, expanded defense autonomy, and improved overall societal resilience.
Lai thanked members of his administration, including Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), along with the DPP’s legislative caucus, local government leaders, and party officials for their cooperation in advancing government policies and improving public welfare, per CTI.
He also expressed appreciation to four outgoing local government leaders: Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲), Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁), and Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu (陳光復), who is not seeking re-election due to a medical emergency with his wife, Wu Shu-chin (吳淑瑾).
Lai emphasized that national governance goes beyond divisions between central and local governments, saying that when local governments take the right steps, Taiwan as a whole can continue moving forward.
