TAIWAN: President William Lai has emphasised that freedom of speech must not be misused to undermine the freedoms of Taiwanese or challenge the legitimacy of the Republic of China.
His remarks were made on 7 April during a memorial ceremony for the late democracy advocate Deng Nan-jung.
Speaking at the Chinpaosan cemetery in New Taipei City, Lai addressed attendees on Freedom of Speech Day, a date commemorating Deng’s self-immolation 36 years ago in protest against authoritarianism and restrictions on expression.
Deng, founder of Freedom Era Weekly, had advocated for “100 percent freedom of expression” and resisted an arrest warrant on charges of insurrection. On 7 April, 1989, he set fire to himself in his office to protest the suppression of speech under martial law-era regulations.
The day was designated as a national commemoration in 2016 by then-president Tsai Ing-wen, following its initial establishment in Tainan in 2012 by Lai, who was then the city’s mayor.
“Deng Nan-jung sacrificed his life for democracy and freedom,” Lai said. “His spirit should be passed down by all Taiwanese, regardless of political affiliation.”
Lai warned that Taiwan’s democratic values are under increasing threat, particularly from the People’s Republic of China. He said Beijing is waging a multi-pronged campaign including media manipulation, psychological pressure, legal tactics and cyberwarfare.
“Last year, China launched an average of 2.4 million cyberattacks per day against the Government Service Network,” Lai said. He added that 134 governmental and private organisations were attacked in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
In addition, he cited a marked increase in espionage cases. “Sixty-four individuals were indicted for spying for China in 2024, which is four times the number in 2021,” he said, adding that those charged were financially supported by the Chinese Communist Party and tasked with undermining Taiwan’s democratic system.
President Lai asserted that the government would act against those spreading Chinese propaganda, especially if it incites invasion, subversion of government, or seeks to dismantle the nation’s democratic institutions.
“Freedom of speech must not become a tool to eradicate freedom,” he said. “Advocating for the invalidation of the Republic of China or the deprivation of our freedoms is not protected under our democratic framework.”
The event was hosted by the Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation and attended by Deng’s family, including his daughter Deng Chu-mei and widow Yeh Chu-lan. Both women have continued to champion democratic values in Taiwan.
Deng Chu-mei said her father’s legacy must be remembered and discussed. “He stood for freedom and for the right of Taiwanese to make their own choices,” she said. She also stressed the link between national sovereignty and civil liberties.
“Taiwan can retain its freedoms only if it is not part of China,” she added.
President Lai concluded by reaffirming his mission as head of state: to preserve national development, protect democracy and freedom, and defend Taiwan’s sovereignty from external threats.
“Our democracy is a model for the world,” he said. “We must ensure that it is not undermined.”
The post President Lai says freedom of speech must not be used to deny Taiwan’s sovereignty appeared first on The Online Citizen.
