🇹🇼 Remembering Nylon Cheng: Taiwan’s Torchbearer of Free Speech
In a symbolic and emotionally charged event on April 7, 2025, Academia Historica, Taiwan’s national historical research institution, unveiled the personal prison diary of freedom of speech martyr Nylon Cheng (é„南榕), along with over 1,000 pivotal historical documents relating to his life, activism, and ultimate sacrifice. This marked the 36th anniversary of Cheng’s self-immolation — a final act of defiance against authoritarian suppression in 1989 that galvanized Taiwan’s democratic evolution.
This initiative is not just a tribute, but a timely reminder amid the ongoing regional tension and rising concerns about press freedom and national identity.
đź“š Historical Treasure: Nylon Cheng’s Diary and Rare Documents Archived
Academia Historica President Chen Yi-shen confirmed the archiving of 1,042 documents and 27 rare photos, originally safeguarded by the Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation. These artifacts include:
- Cheng’s original handwritten manuscripts and prison notes
- Legal and court files detailing his sedition charges
- Company registration documents of his magazine Freedom Era Weekly
- Newspaper cuttings and obituaries post his death
- A Ministry of Foreign Affairs appendix revealing external concerns about political persecution in Cheng’s case
These documents shine new light on how the Kuomintang (KMT) regime possibly attempted to downplay political motives behind arrests, instead framing them as legal actions — a tactic used widely in authoritarian governance to sanitize suppression.
🕊️ Nylon Cheng’s Imprisonment: A Mirror to Taiwan’s Past
Cheng was detained without bail between June 2, 1986, and January 24, 1987, allegedly for violating Taiwan’s election and recall laws through published content. But newly released documents show this may have been a façade — foreign media at the time connected Cheng’s arrest directly to his political activism, not legal misconduct.
One key revelation: A June 6, 1986 “clarification” letter sent by the KMT’s Cabinet office to MOFA attempted to discredit critical overseas media. This forms part of a broader pattern of censorship and international PR manipulation common under martial law-era Taiwan.
🗣️ Reflections from Cheng’s Family and Supporters
Cheng Chu-mei, Nylon Cheng’s daughter and head of the Liberty Foundation, stated that parting with the documents was difficult yet necessary, hoping it would “help the public better understand his era and Taiwan’s journey toward democracy.”
His widow, Yeh Chu-lan, delivered a moving speech reflecting on Taiwan’s current situation: “We seem to have 100 percent free speech now, but that freedom feels fragile. With China’s pressure increasing — fighter jets flying over us — we must revisit Nylon Cheng’s legacy to decide our future.”
Their remarks underscore a vital question: Is Taiwan’s hard-earned democracy secure, or merely maintained under the shadow of external threats?
🔥 Nylon Cheng: A Life of Defiance and Vision
Born in 1947, Cheng was more than a journalist — he was a fierce advocate for Taiwanese independence, a sharp critic of KMT’s authoritarian rule, and a visionary who foresaw the need for a distinct Taiwanese constitution. In 1984, he launched Freedom Era Weekly, a bold magazine that challenged state narratives during martial law.
In 1989, when threatened with sedition charges for publishing a “Draft Constitution of the Taiwan Republic,” Cheng refused to surrender. He barricaded himself inside his office for 71 days, finally choosing self-immolation rather than compromising his ideals. He was just 41 years old.
đź’¬ Why Nylon Cheng Still Matters Today
Cheng’s story is a stark reminder of the cost of democracy. In a global environment where media is increasingly controlled, misinformation is rampant, and authoritarian tendencies are resurging — Taiwan’s experience serves as both a lesson and a beacon.
By opening public access to these documents, Taiwan reinforces a key principle: a free and open society must remember and revisit the painful parts of its past to chart a resilient future.
âť“FAQs
Who was Nylon Cheng?
Nylon Cheng was a Taiwanese pro-democracy activist and publisher who championed freedom of speech and independence. He self-immolated in 1989 to protest government censorship.
Why was Nylon Cheng imprisoned in 1986?
Officially for election law violations, but newly released documents suggest his arrest was politically motivated.
What is the significance of his prison diary?
It offers rare insights into Taiwan’s martial law era, Cheng’s personal struggles, and exposes systemic political repression.
What kind of documents were archived?
Over 1,000 items including manuscripts, legal documents, government memos, and foreign media reports.
Why does Nylon Cheng’s story matter today?
It underscores the fragility of democratic freedoms and offers a blueprint for resisting authoritarian pressures — especially relevant as China’s aggression toward Taiwan increases.
