President Lai Ching-te pays tribute to democracy activist
President Lai Ching-te pays tribute to democracy activist
2026-04-07
On April 7, 1989, democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung died by self-immolation while the police tried to arrest him for sedition. That was before Taiwan became fully democratic in 1996, but after martial law was lifted in 1987. In 2016, April 7 was designated as Freedom of Expression Day. While President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday paid tribute to Cheng Nan-jung, on the opposite end of the political spectrum, KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun happened to depart for China. President Lai took the occasion to emphasize that true peace cannot be achieved at the mercy of a dictatorship; that peace is not solely an absence of war, but moreover, peace must uphold national sovereignty.
President Lai Ching-te pays tribute to democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung at Chin Pao San Cemetary, on the 37th year since he died by self-immolation.
The solemn occasion is accompanied by sweet violin music. On this day 37 years ago, democracy activist Cheng Nan-jung’s death shocked society. President Lai Ching-te says he still thinks about the incident, with reverence for Cheng, so many years on.
Lai Ching-te
President
Every time I think of Mr. Cheng Nan-jung’s tragic martyrdom, I feel a deep sense of loss and boundless respect for him. His heroic sacrifice awakened society, and wave after wave of social forces have devoted themselves to successive democratic reforms.
The president said Cheng’s self-immolation was a catalyst that awakened many to join social movements, hearkening Taiwan’s democracy.
Lai Ching-te
President
Taiwan’s greatest challenge is China’s suppression. Under these circumstances, we’re very aware that although peace is important, our vision for peace must include idealism, and cannot contain delusions.
The KMT recently launched a video campaign for party chair Cheng Li-wun’s visit to China, with the message “only peace will allow us to chill,” which was met with disdain by the ruling DPP.
Lai Ching-te
President
Peace must be upheld through strength. It’s the same as fighting for democracy. It’s impossible to achieve peace at a dictator’s mercy. Instead, it takes determination. Peace can only be achieved through strength. Only then will we gain real peace. What’s more, peace isn’t only an absence of war. That cannot be called peace so simply. In addition to an absence of war, peace must also uphold national sovereignty. Taiwan is not a part of the People’s Republic of China.
Lai said that cross-strait peace must uphold national sovereignty. Though he did not directly address the KMT chair, it’s clear that his message was intended for her.
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鄭南榕殉道37週年 賴總統出席追思會談"和平靠實力"
2026-04-07
鄭麗文訪問中國的今天，正好是4/7言論自由日，37年前的這一天鄭南榕為堅持「百分之百言論自由」自焚殉難，總統賴清德今天出席追思紀念會特別強調，和平必須要靠實力，就跟爭取民主一樣，不可能靠獨裁者的賞賜，而且和平並不只是單純沒有戰事就可以稱作和平，還要確保保主權。
來到金寶山墓園，總統賴清德出席鄭南榕逝世37週年殉道追思紀念會。
伴隨小提琴音樂，現場氣氛隆重，當年鄭南榕為爭取百分之百言論自由，自焚殉難、震撼社會，賴總統更是感念在心。
[[總統 賴清德]]
“每一次想起鄭南榕先生殉道悲壯，內心的不捨，內心對他無限的敬佩，他悲壯殉道離開我們之後，喚起了社會覺醒，一股又一股的社會力量，投入一波又一波的民主改革”
總統細數在鄭南榕殉道後，開啟一連串社會運動，奠定今日的民主台灣，但面對中國統戰威脅，總統語重心長。
[[總統 賴清德]]
“(台灣)最大的挑戰，就是來自中國的壓迫，在這樣的情況之下，我們也相當清楚，和平很重要，但是我們對和平要有理想，不能有幻想”
適逢國民黨主席鄭麗文出發訪中，更釋出「和平才能躺平」宣傳影片，藍營這番對和平的見解，讓賴總統頗不以為然。
[[總統 賴清德]]
“和平必須要靠實力，和爭取民主一樣，和平不可能靠獨裁者的賞賜，我們就能夠得到和平，而是必須要有決心，和平只能靠實力，才有辦法得到真正的和平，而且和平並不只是單純沒有戰事，就可以稱作和平，和平必須要沒有戰事發生之外，還可以確保主權，台灣不是中華人民共和國的一部分”
賴總統這番談話，對比在言論自由日這天鄭主席率團赴中，格外諷刺。
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