tái wān台湾zǒng tǒng总统zhí xuǎn直选30zhōu nián周年：mín zhǔ民主yǔ与zì yóu自由hěn很zhòng yào重要
March 23 marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential and vice-presidential election.
In 1996, despite the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, the people of Taiwan bravely went to vote and chose their own leaders.
This event is often seen as an important beginning for the development of democracy in Taiwan.
Some U.S. Congress members issued statements congratulating Taiwan, calling it an important representative of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and expressed continued support for Taiwan's security and development.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te also posted a message commemorating this day.
He said that if people had given up freedom due to pressure back then, Taiwan would not be what it is today.
He also called on the Legislative Yuan to pass a special defense budget to protect Taiwan's most precious democracy and freedom.
Facing security pressures, the Taiwan government emphasizes that only the people of Taiwan can decide their own future.