Daniel Kuo-yu Han's Speech at Republic of China's National Day

Taiwan's Legislative Speaker calls for peace, unity on October 10, 2025.

The Republic of China celebrated its 114th birthday in Taipei on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Two major speeches dominated the event - one from Daniel Kuo-yu Han, of the opposition Kuomingtang Party, who is the island’s legislative speaker and National Day Celebration Chairperson; the other from William Ching-te Lai, the Taiwanese leader and of the ruling Democratic Progress Party.

Lai’s speech, as the one from the top leader, has attracted considerable attention, including condemnation from the mainland.

Curiously, it appears that Lai proactively leaked parts of his speech on October 9, and those turned out to be the most hawkish parts.

Below is what Daniel Kuo-yu Han said.

國恩家慶

National Grace and Family Joy

Today, it is a great honor to once again stand under this sky of blue with a white sun, together with my beloved compatriots—fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters—our respected guests from friendly nations, and overseas Chinese around the world whose hearts remain tied to the Republic of China, as we celebrate the 114th birthday of our nation. Let us join together and wish our beloved Republic of China peace and prosperity, timely rain and favorable winds, and a very happy birthday.

I would like to extend a special welcome to President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, former Presidents Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Cho Jung-tai and his Cabinet team, the heads of the five branches of government and their representatives, as well as important opposition leaders—Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu, Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang, People First Party Chairman James Soong, Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Chou Wan-lai, and all members of the legislature, mayors and county magistrates, council speakers from across the nation, our passionate compatriots here today, and our friends at home and abroad who are joining us online to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of China beneath the flag of blue sky, white sun, and a wholly red field.

This is a day that every Taiwanese should remember. Each year, as our National Day flags flutter in the wind, they remind our 23 million citizens how many storms and crises Taiwan has weathered under the protection of the Republic of China to preserve this free and open land between the mountains and the sea. For more than sixty years, the people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu have lived without war, famine, or destitution. It is this flag of the Republic of China—our blue sky, white sun, and red earth—together with the unity of all our compatriots, that has formed an unbreakable golden shield ensuring nearly seventy years of stability and prosperity.

Flag of the Republic of China known as “blue sky, white sun, and red earth.”

It is not only the world-renowned TSMC, Fo Guang Shan, and Tzu Chi; not only the dedicated Christian and Catholic communities; not only our athletes who give their all in competition; not only our soldiers who stand ready to give their lives for the nation—each and every patriotic citizen, every overseas compatriot whose heart forever belongs to the Republic of China, is a source of strength guarding this sacred land.

I remember that when I was young, there was a song often sung at National Day celebrations—Fei Yu-ching’s “National Grace and Family Joy”—which moved people deeply.

(Han then sang a few lines on stage.)

“晴空萬里大地含笑 Under a cloudless sky, the earth smiles.

歡樂歌聲響徹雲霄 Joyous songs echo through the heavens.

多少人流血流汗 How many have shed blood and sweat,

大家才有今朝 So that we may have this day.”

Today, as I stand on this platform singing that song again, the image that first comes to my mind is not the sea of waving flags before me, but the waves of people recently seen along the roads and railway stations leading to Hualien—those “shovel heroes” carrying tools and supplies, dropping everything to rush to the disaster zone. Here, I once again offer my highest respect to everyone who contributed money, effort, or manpower to help the disaster-stricken communities in central and southern Taiwan and in Guangfu Township, Hualien. You are the living embodiment of the spirit: “Rise together, rise together—to recover our land and save our compatriots.”

Yet we must also reflect: over the past year, is Hualien the only place in need of repair? Even now, many rural areas in central and southern Taiwan severely hit by floods and typhoons are still struggling to rebuild. The stock market has surged past 26,000 points, yet more than 1.2 million workers still earn less than NT$31,000 ($1,014) a month. Not to mention the farmlands and forests destroyed by sprawling solar projects, the Meilong Grand Canyon illegally excavated by unscrupulous profiteers, the social fabric torn apart by the recall campaign, the rising risk of conflict fueled by de-Sinicization, the energy policy weighed down by ideology, and the possibility that Taiwan’s future could be sacrificed in tariff negotiations.

All these invisible pressures form what I call hidden barrier lakes—unseen, yet if they burst, they could drown the entire island.

Therefore, as the Republic of China enters its 114th year, our situation is even more difficult than we may imagine. We must urgently transform these hidden barrier lakes into new mountains of national protection. Since childhood I have worshipped Guanyin Bodhisattva and am a devout Buddhist and Taoist. At every temple I visit, I see the same eight characters over the gate: 「國泰民安，風調雨順」—“May the nation be prosperous and the people at peace; may the winds and rains be in harmony.” Chinese culture teaches us that the weather depends on Heaven, but peace depends on ourselves.

The Republic of China has always advanced through tempests and turmoil, braving internal and external challenges. From overthrowing the Qing dynasty to building Taiwan, generation after generation—like today’s shovel heroes—have worked diligently, repairing and rebuilding. Through their perseverance, and through the hard work of millions of people across all professions, we have created today’s prosperous and peaceful Taiwan. To safeguard this peace and prosperity, we must not only remember our roots and strive forward, but also stay ever mindful of potential dangers even in times of safety.

Dear compatriots, on the road toward democracy and freedom, we must never allow war to erupt in the Taiwan Strait, nor let endless partisan strife continue to divide us. We also hope the tariff negotiations with the United States will proceed smoothly. These three hidden barrier lakes—cross-Strait tensions, partisan division, and trade challenges—are critical to Taiwan’s future. We look forward to further legislative reform and inter-party cooperation to build a government that serves all 23 million people—a government that is clean in politics, fair in justice, merit-based in personnel, and people-oriented in principle.

With the help and supervision of all our shovel heroes, let us together clear away these dangers and hidden threats, and build new mountains of peace, unity, and prosperity to protect Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. Let us continue to create miracles on this land, continue to pursue democracy, and continue to embrace freedom—so that one day we may truly realize the vision in “National Grace and Family Joy”: “Every household celebrates with joy and laughter.”

On this memorable day, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all 23 million people at home and to our compatriots around the world. You are the dearest members of our national family. Beneath the blue sky, white sun, and red earth of our flag, we share the same blood and the same heart. I warmly welcome all overseas compatriots and international friends to come home often. The Republic of China always welcomes you.

I also wish to thank all the behind-the-scenes contributors to this year’s National Day celebration. It is through your hard work and dedication that today’s 114th Double Ten/October 10 celebration shines so brightly, allowing everyone to once again feel the original passion that inspired the founding of the Republic of China.

Finally, let us encourage one another with these words:

“The Republic of China is our country,

Beautiful Taiwan is our home,

Chinese culture is our root,

Democracy and freedom are our treasure.”

Once again, let us all wish the Republic of China lasting prosperity and divine protection. To all our compatriots at home and abroad, may you enjoy good health and every happiness.

Happy Birthday, Republic of China!