Michael J. Fonte: Taiwan Faces Continuous Threat from China, World Should Firmly Support Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te awarded Michael J. Fonte, former director of the DPP's representative office in the US, the 'Grand Cordon Order of the Brilliant Star.' Fonte emphasized that as Taiwan faces continuous threats from China, the world should firmly support Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 14:04
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 14:31 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 14:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kwei-hsiang, Taipei 6th) President Lai Ching-te today awarded Michael J. Fonte, former director of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) representative office in the US, the 'Grand Cordon Order of the Brilliant Star.' Fonte emphasized in his speech that the world needs to hear Taiwan's story, and as Taiwan currently faces continuous threats from China, the world should give Taiwan firm support.
Michael J. Fonte stated in his speech that when he arrived in Taiwan in 1967, he heard a song called 'Longing for the Spring Breeze.' Although it was a love song, when Taiwanese people sang it, what they deeply yearned for was an end to the heavy oppression under martial law.
Fonte said that during his service in central Taiwan during the martial law era, police and security forces closely monitored Taiwan, and although he was trained to engage in social justice work, he had no room to maneuver.
At that time, he thought the road to freedom was still very long, and if someone had told him that Taiwan would become a thriving democracy in about 20 years, he would have surely quoted the Taiwanese proverb: 'Sleep early to have more dreams.'
Fonte stated that during his studies at the University of Michigan, he interacted with democracy advocates such as Peng Ming-min and Chen Tang-shan, witnessing the efforts and perseverance of Taiwanese people for democracy, and jointly continuing the dream of pursuing freedom. Despite the arduous path to democracy, the ideals of the Taiwanese people never withered. Individuals like Kang Ning-hsiang and Chiang Chun-nan fought for political rights through magazines, and Huang Hsin-chieh founded the 'Formosa' magazine, which can be seen as the origin of the later founding of the DPP, vigorously promoting democratization.
He said that in 1979, the Formosa Incident occurred, and many important political leaders were heavily sentenced. Even the mother and daughter of Lin Yi-hsiung, former chairman of the DPP, were murdered. However, none of this could stop these indomitable activists. The Taiwanese people endured many hardships but never gave up.
He stated that the defense lawyer team during the Formosa Incident later became political leaders who guided Taiwan's development. Under international pressure, the trial process was open, which was a crucial turning point in Taiwan's democratic process. The Taiwanese people showed great resilience, striving forward towards freedom, a very difficult journey.
He recalled that in 2004, 1.5 million Taiwanese people held hands from Keelung to Pingtung, singing 'She Is Our Treasure' during the 'Hand in Hand to Protect Taiwan' event. He felt very gratified, and at that time, Taiwan was facing missile threats from China. The world needs to hear the story of this land called Taiwan. As Taiwan currently faces continuous threats from China, the world should give Taiwan firm support.
He said that 22 years have passed since the 'Hand in Hand to Protect Taiwan' event in 2004, and under the leadership of former President Tsai Ing-wen and current President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, the Taiwanese people have continued to deepen democratic governance and overcome many challenges. He is very honored to be a small part of this journey. Taiwan will face continuous challenges in the future, but they must persist with resilience and fight a beautiful battle together. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kwei-hsiang, Taipei 6th) President Lai Ching-te today awarded Michael J. Fonte, former director of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) representative office in the US, the 'Grand Cordon Order of the Brilliant Star.' Fonte emphasized in his speech that the world needs to hear Taiwan's story, and as Taiwan currently faces continuous threats from China, the world should give Taiwan firm support.
Michael J. Fonte stated in his speech that when he arrived in Taiwan in 1967, he heard a song called 'Longing for the Spring Breeze.' Although it was a love song, when Taiwanese people sang it, what they deeply yearned for was an end to the heavy oppression under martial law.
Fonte said that during his service in central Taiwan during the martial law era, police and security forces closely monitored Taiwan, and although he was trained to engage in social justice work, he had no room to maneuver.
At that time, he thought the road to freedom was still very long, and if someone had told him that Taiwan would become a thriving democracy in about 20 years, he would have surely quoted the Taiwanese proverb: 'Sleep early to have more dreams.'
Fonte stated that during his studies at the University of Michigan, he interacted with democracy advocates such as Peng Ming-min and Chen Tang-shan, witnessing the efforts and perseverance of Taiwanese people for democracy, and jointly continuing the dream of pursuing freedom. Despite the arduous path to democracy, the ideals of the Taiwanese people never withered. Individuals like Kang Ning-hsiang and Chiang Chun-nan fought for political rights through magazines, and Huang Hsin-chieh founded the 'Formosa' magazine, which can be seen as the origin of the later founding of the DPP, vigorously promoting democratization.
He said that in 1979, the Formosa Incident occurred, and many important political leaders were heavily sentenced. Even the mother and daughter of Lin Yi-hsiung, former chairman of the DPP, were murdered. However, none of this could stop these indomitable activists. The Taiwanese people endured many hardships but never gave up.
He stated that the defense lawyer team during the Formosa Incident later became political leaders who guided Taiwan's development. Under international pressure, the trial process was open, which was a crucial turning point in Taiwan's democratic process. The Taiwanese people showed great resilience, striving forward towards freedom, a very difficult journey.
He recalled that in 2004, 1.5 million Taiwanese people held hands from Keelung to Pingtung, singing 'She Is Our Treasure' during the 'Hand in Hand to Protect Taiwan' event. He felt very gratified, and at that time, Taiwan was facing missile threats from China. The world needs to hear the story of this land called Taiwan. As Taiwan currently faces continuous threats from China, the world should give Taiwan firm support.
He said that 22 years have passed since the 'Hand in Hand to Protect Taiwan' event in 2004, and under the leadership of former President Tsai Ing-wen and current President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, the Taiwanese people have continued to deepen democratic governance and overcome many challenges. He is very honored to be a small part of this journey. Taiwan will face continuous challenges in the future, but they must persist with resilience and fight a beautiful battle together. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's 'First-Hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.