TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender Friday (Aug. 15) with a pointed Facebook message about the dangers of authoritarian aggression. Lai attributed the war's catastrophic global impact to the ambitions of dictators and military expansionists who dragged countless nations into devastating conflict. The president's commemoration comes amid rising regional tensions and concerns about authoritarian expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.
Lai highlighted what he called World War II's most valuable lesson: unity prevails while aggression ultimately fails. The president stressed that no regime possesses the right to invade other nations or strip away people's freedom and happiness. Reflecting on the war's end eight decades ago, Lai praised the tireless Allied efforts and emphasized how post-war reconstruction revealed peace's invaluable worth to humanity.
The president noted how former Axis powers transformed into free, democratic nations that embrace market economies and rule of law, achieving remarkable post-war progress and prosperity. Lai underscored the critical importance of vigilance against aggressive ambitions and unity in safeguarding everyday freedoms. Democratic countries must collaborate to protect cherished liberty and peace, he asserted, as authoritarianism regroups and expands globally, requiring steadfast commitment to World War II's lessons. ◼
