The two aspects of democratic maturityBy Leonard Fong-sheng Wang 王鳳生This year marks the 79th anniversary of one of the most defining and painful moments in Taiwan’s modern history. The 228 Incident carries the weight of collective memory and the long journey toward democratic transformation. Together, they form two essential dimensions of democratic maturity. Under such conditions, Taiwan’s internal cohesion and external predictability hold regional significance. As East Asia faces mounting geopolitical uncertainty, Taiwan has an opportunity to demonstrate political maturity: Confronting history without weaponizing it, and strengthening national defense without inflaming internal division.

Source: Taipei Times February 27, 2026 18:21 UTC