President Lai Reaffirms Four Pillars of Peace at Cheng Nan-jung Memorial Service
At the 37th anniversary memorial service for Cheng Nan-jung, President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the 'Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan.' He emphasized that true peace comes from strength, not appeasement, and highlighted the importance of strengthening national defense, economic resilience, aligning with democratic allies, and engaging with China on a basis of equality and dignity. Lai asserted Taiwan's sovereignty and the people's right to self-determination.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 14:17
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The '37th Anniversary Memorial Service for Cheng Nan-jung' was held this morning at Jinbaoshan Cemetery in Jinshan District, New Taipei City. Despite the rain, Cheng Nan-jung's widow Yeh Chu-lan, his daughter and Cheng Nan-jung Foundation Chairperson Cheng Chu-mei, President Lai, Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Central News Agency Chairman Li Yung-te, and DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying all attended.
Cheng Chu-mei stated in her address that 37 years ago today, Cheng Nan-jung self-immolated in his editorial office. His death did not mean he did not cherish life; it was because he loved life and understood its value, so he was willing to sacrifice his life to fight for more freedom.
Cheng Chu-mei noted that the cover of the last issue of Freedom Era magazine in 1989 asked whether China would invade Taiwan by force. 37 years later, China's aggressive threat to Taiwan still exists. Appeasement and surrender will not bring true peace. True peace requires internal unity, mutual communication, and the ability to protect oneself. Only then can true peace be achieved.
President Lai stated in his address that Cheng Nan-jung was an activist philosopher. Looking back, Cheng Nan-jung's advocacy and tragic martyrdom awakened society, and waves of social forces were invested in democratic reform. In the first direct presidential election, 11 million Taiwanese people bravely cast their sacred votes, declaring to the international community that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation, and that the people have the right to decide who leads the country and the future of the nation.
President Lai stated that although Taiwan has achieved considerable democratic success, it also faces oppression and threats from China. Peace is very important, but one must have ideals for peace, not illusions. Peace must rely on strength, just like fighting for democracy. Peace cannot be bestowed by dictators; it requires determination. True peace can only be achieved through strength.
President Lai stated that after taking office in 2024, he announced the 'Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan.' The first pillar is to strengthen national defense. Increasing the defense budget is not just about purchasing military equipment from abroad but also about developing indigenous defense capabilities. The special defense budget proposed by the government, in addition to building Taiwan's shield and introducing AI real-time attack and defense systems, aims to promote indigenous defense.
President Lai said the second pillar is to strengthen economic resilience. The economy must not only be good but also resilient. In 2010, 83.8% of Taiwan's outbound investment went to mainland China, but by last year, it had dropped to only 3.7%. This is because the national economic security strategy is to base oneself in Taiwan, deploy globally, and market worldwide.
President Lai said the third pillar is to stand shoulder to shoulder with democratic allies to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. In recent years, the G7 leaders' summits have consistently reached a common conclusion: peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity. Taiwan has a responsibility to strengthen its own power and protect its national security, and Taiwan also has a responsibility to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and stability in the Indo-Pacific, as does the international community.
President Lai said the fourth pillar is that as long as there is equality and dignity, Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China to promote peaceful and prosperous development across the Strait. Equality is very important, and dignity is very important. Simply put, Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China.
President Lai emphasized, 'We have the right to pursue a life of democracy, freedom, and human rights.' The era of the Taiwanese people pursuing democracy should not be interpreted as a provocation to China. He hopes that the foundation laid by predecessors over decades can be bravely guarded by this generation, and he also hopes that all people of the nation, as masters of the country, will bravely pursue the future, bravely step into the world, and bravely contribute to the international community. He believes that Taiwan will surely become brighter and its future more brilliant. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150407
Cheng Chu-mei stated in her address that 37 years ago today, Cheng Nan-jung self-immolated in his editorial office. His death did not mean he did not cherish life; it was because he loved life and understood its value, so he was willing to sacrifice his life to fight for more freedom.
Cheng Chu-mei noted that the cover of the last issue of Freedom Era magazine in 1989 asked whether China would invade Taiwan by force. 37 years later, China's aggressive threat to Taiwan still exists. Appeasement and surrender will not bring true peace. True peace requires internal unity, mutual communication, and the ability to protect oneself. Only then can true peace be achieved.
President Lai stated in his address that Cheng Nan-jung was an activist philosopher. Looking back, Cheng Nan-jung's advocacy and tragic martyrdom awakened society, and waves of social forces were invested in democratic reform. In the first direct presidential election, 11 million Taiwanese people bravely cast their sacred votes, declaring to the international community that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation, and that the people have the right to decide who leads the country and the future of the nation.
President Lai stated that although Taiwan has achieved considerable democratic success, it also faces oppression and threats from China. Peace is very important, but one must have ideals for peace, not illusions. Peace must rely on strength, just like fighting for democracy. Peace cannot be bestowed by dictators; it requires determination. True peace can only be achieved through strength.
President Lai stated that after taking office in 2024, he announced the 'Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan.' The first pillar is to strengthen national defense. Increasing the defense budget is not just about purchasing military equipment from abroad but also about developing indigenous defense capabilities. The special defense budget proposed by the government, in addition to building Taiwan's shield and introducing AI real-time attack and defense systems, aims to promote indigenous defense.
President Lai said the second pillar is to strengthen economic resilience. The economy must not only be good but also resilient. In 2010, 83.8% of Taiwan's outbound investment went to mainland China, but by last year, it had dropped to only 3.7%. This is because the national economic security strategy is to base oneself in Taiwan, deploy globally, and market worldwide.
President Lai said the third pillar is to stand shoulder to shoulder with democratic allies to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. In recent years, the G7 leaders' summits have consistently reached a common conclusion: peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity. Taiwan has a responsibility to strengthen its own power and protect its national security, and Taiwan also has a responsibility to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and stability in the Indo-Pacific, as does the international community.
President Lai said the fourth pillar is that as long as there is equality and dignity, Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China to promote peaceful and prosperous development across the Strait. Equality is very important, and dignity is very important. Simply put, Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China.
President Lai emphasized, 'We have the right to pursue a life of democracy, freedom, and human rights.' The era of the Taiwanese people pursuing democracy should not be interpreted as a provocation to China. He hopes that the foundation laid by predecessors over decades can be bravely guarded by this generation, and he also hopes that all people of the nation, as masters of the country, will bravely pursue the future, bravely step into the world, and bravely contribute to the international community. He believes that Taiwan will surely become brighter and its future more brilliant. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150407