TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) commemorated the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre on Wednesday, warning about threats posed by authoritarian regimes. 

Lai said on social media it was important to remember the event as authoritarian regimes try to erase history, per CNA. He pointed out that Taiwan had experienced authoritarian rule before becoming a democracy, adding, “We deeply understand the value of freedom.” 

Lai also warned of military and gray zone coercion, surveillance, and extraterritorial repression continued by authoritarian regimes. He did not name China directly. 

In addition, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that while the Tiananmen incident is not talked about in China, Taiwanese can freely exercise their rights without fear of oppression. He emphasized that the Chinese people have not had these same rights since the incident in 1989.