In a speech delivered at the Republic of China’s (Taiwan) National Day celebrations Monday, Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) encouraged the people of Taiwan to vote in favor of a referendum on lowering the voting age, to be held in conjunction with nationwide local elections on Nov. 26.

The referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment to lower the voting age in Taiwan from 20 to 18 received near unanimous support with a vote of 109-0 in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan on March 25. The amendment now requires the support of at least half of all eligible voters to become law.

While Taiwan is often touted internationally as an exemplar of democracy, You said, it is embarrassing that the voting age remains behind other countries.

In only 11 of the United Nation’s 193 members are 18-year-olds not allowed to vote, You pointed out, arguing that Taiwan, though still excluded from the U.N., must catch up with the majority of democratic nations.

You praised the people of Taiwan for working together to combat the pandemic over the past three years, giving special credit to the military, police and medical personnel for their many sacrifices.

Meanwhile, You said the growth of Taiwan’s economy and democracy is increasingly recognized by the world, with visits from 246 parliamentarians from eight countries with which Taiwan has no diplomatic relations over the past year.

Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, You reaffirmed Taiwan’s wish for a world without war.

“However, this wish for peace should not come at the cost of kowtowing,” You said, adding that Taiwan remains prepared to deter any efforts to infringe on its sovereignty.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel