President Chen Takes Part in the Inauguration of Cheng Nan-jung's Memorial Cemetery
Taipei, April 7 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian stressed Sunday that now that the nation enjoys the freedom of speech, it should pay attention to upgrading the quality of speech.
The president made the remarks when he attended a memorial service for Cheng Nan-jung, editor-in-chief of the dissentious weekly Liberty Times who immolated himself April 7, 1989, in his office at the weekly when police tried to arrest him.
The president said Cheng had used his wisdom to challenge the political system that stifled freedom of speech, adding that Cheng was indeed a "thinker who acted on his beliefs" and one who sacrificed his life to demonstrate his determination in the pursuit of freedom.
The president then said that if freedom of speech is essential to democracy, then the quality of speech is the key to ensuring democracy, which he said entails rational dialogue and social responsibility.
The president also said that he believes Cheng's soul in heaven will be happy because he himself, who served as the first president of the weekly, was elected the Republic of China president.
He also urged Cheng's wife, who is the current chairwoman of the Council of Hakka Affairs, as well as Cheng's daughter Cheng Chu-mei to smile after going through the trauma of Cheng's passing.
After the memorial service, the president and Vice President Annette Lu as well as others also took part in the inauguration of Cheng's memorial cemetery and the unveiling of a monument of the wing of freedom.