Taiwan celebrated its 112th National Day — also known as “Double Ten Day” — with annual military flypast, honorary guard parades and street performances on Tuesday.

Taiwan’s honorary guard parading during the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s honorary guard parades during the Taiwan National Day ceremony on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s army performs during the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s army performs during the Taiwan National Day ceremony on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Giant Taiwan flag is flown through the air by a helicopter during celebrations of the National Day in Taipei, Taiwan on October 10, 2021. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
A giant Taiwan flag is flown through the air by a helicopter during Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2021. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a National Day speech during the ceremony. She said that democracy had thrived on the island despite increased Chinese pressure, and vowed that its people would remain “free for generations.”

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen delivering a speech during the celebrations of the National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen delivers a speech during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.

Appearing to strike a conciliatory tone with Beijing, Tsai said Taiwan seeks “peaceful co-existence, with free, unrestricted, and unburdened interactions between people across the strait.”

(Left to right) Taiwan's Parliament Speaker You Si-kun, President Tsai Ing-Wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te wave hands in the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
(Left to right) Taiwan’s Parliament Speaker You Si-kun, President Tsai Ing-Wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te wave during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.

Taiwan will hold national elections in January, but Tsai is unable to run for president again due to the island’s two-term limit. Tsai’s deputy Lai Ching-te will represent the Democratic Progressive Party and run for the election instead.

Performers hold giant Taiwan flag during the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Performers wave Taiwan flags during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Dragon Dance performance in the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
A dragon dance performance during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s honorary guard parades during the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s honorary guard parades during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Performer waves a flag while performing in the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
A man waves a flag while performing on Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s martial art team is taking photo in the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s martial art team poses for a photo on Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwanese Paiwan judoka Yang Yung-wei in the ceremony of Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwanese Paiwan judoka Yang Yung-wei on Taiwan National Day on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan's Presidential Office building with National Day decorations on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office building adorned with National Day decor on October 10, 2023. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.

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