TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Saturday by celebrating the Cabinet’s official recognition of the Siraya as the nation’s 17th Indigenous group, per CNA.
The Siraya are the first Pingpu Indigenous group to complete official ethnic registration under the Pingpu Indigenous Peoples Identity Act, marking a major milestone in Taiwan’s efforts to advance Indigenous historical and transitional justice.
Lai said in a Facebook post that recognition of the Siraya has been a long-standing goal of his. During his tenure as Tainan mayor, he accompanied Siraya representatives to the Council of Indigenous Peoples to submit their application for official recognition.
He said the Tainan City Government also supported the Siraya through administrative litigation and established an administrative support group. Later, while serving as vice president, Lai said he urged the Council of Indigenous Peoples to actively advance the legal framework needed to protect the identity rights of Pingpu Indigenous peoples.
Lai said the recognition followed a three-decade campaign that progressed from local advocacy and administrative litigation to constitutional rulings, special legislation, and finally the completion of ethnic registration. He described the designation as a historic moment for the Siraya and an important milestone in Taiwan’s pursuit of Indigenous historical and transitional justice.
Lai thanked Siraya community members, elders, cultural workers, academics, and other supporters who worked toward official recognition, as well as successive central and local governments, the legislature, and civil society for their contributions, per his Facebook post.
The president said the government will continue improving the Indigenous identity registration system and strengthen legal protections for Indigenous peoples. He added that authorities will continue processing registration applications from other Pingpu Indigenous groups in accordance with the law.
Lai said Indigenous peoples are Taiwan’s earliest inhabitants and, together with later generations of settlers, have helped shape the nation. He said the government will continue promoting a more diverse and equitable society, ensuring every ethnic group can preserve its identity, sustain its cultural heritage, and pursue its future with dignity.
