📰 President Lai Ching-te: “Absolute Freedom of Speech Does Not Protect Calls for Taiwan’s Elimination”

At a memorial event honoring pro-democracy pioneer Nylon Cheng, President Lai Ching-te made a powerful statement defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, declaring that freedom of speech has its limits when used to promote the destruction of the state. The speech comes amid escalating pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including psychological warfare, misinformation campaigns, and large-scale military maneuvers near Taiwan’s shores.

Lai addressed attendees at Chin Pao San Cemetery in New Taipei on the 36th anniversary of Nylon Cheng’s death, reiterating the government’s firm stance against foreign interference and domestic subversion. Cheng, a journalist and vocal independence advocate, famously self-immolated in 1989 after facing arrest under sedition charges by Taiwan’s then-Kuomintang regime.

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🧠 Taiwan’s Modern Struggle: Free Speech vs. National Security

While Taiwan is widely regarded as a beacon of democracy in Asia, Lai emphasized that freedom of speech is not a shield for those promoting national collapse or military conquest. “Absolute freedom of speech does not mean using freedom to destroy freedom,” Lai said, echoing concerns over CCP-affiliated influence operations.

In 2024, 64 Taiwanese citizens were prosecuted for espionage on behalf of the Chinese government—four times the number prosecuted in 2021. These cases involved individuals who accepted funding from Beijing to compromise Taiwan’s national security, according to the president.

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🪖 Rising Gray Zone Threats from China

Taiwan’s national defense institutions have been increasingly vocal about “gray zone” tactics, where China blurs the line between peace and war. These include:

• Mass disinformation campaigns
• Influencer infiltration
• Legal manipulation
• Cyber intrusions
• Regular military drills designed to intimidate

President Lai asserted that the CCP’s hybrid warfare aims to weaken the Taiwanese people’s faith in democracy and foster political instability. “The government will take firm action against any individual working in collusion with China to promote military invasion or undermine democratic institutions,” he added.

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🛂 Influencers Deported for Promoting Chinese Takeover

Recent controversy over three Chinese influencers deported from Taiwan has reignited debate around the limits of free speech. Despite being married to Taiwanese citizens and living in Taiwan for years, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) revoked their residence permits. The government stated the influencers violated Taiwan’s Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area by advocating military takeover by China.

The act allows for deportation when individuals are deemed a national or social threat—illustrating how Taiwan draws a legal line between speech and sedition in cases involving hostile foreign influence.

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💬 Lai’s Key Message: Freedom Can’t Be Used to Destroy Freedom

President Lai made it clear that while Taiwan upholds democratic freedoms, these liberties are not without boundaries—especially when exploited by those seeking Taiwan’s demise.

“As president, my mission is to safeguard this country’s democracy, freedom, and sovereignty… Initiatives that exploit these freedoms to eliminate the Republic of China, Taiwan, are not acceptable,” he declared.

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📌 One-line Bullet Point Summary

• President Lai Ching-te says absolute freedom of speech doesn’t protect those calling for Taiwan’s elimination, especially amid rising threats from China.

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📅 Historical Context: Nylon Cheng & Taiwan’s Fight for Speech

Cheng’s legacy is symbolic of Taiwan’s tumultuous journey from authoritarianism to democracy. In 2016, the government designated April 7 as Freedom of Speech Day to honor Cheng’s sacrifice. As Taiwan defends itself against new forms of ideological and information warfare, his legacy remains more relevant than ever.

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