National Day: Lai Calls Taiwan a 'City on a Hill' Illuminating the World

President Lai Ching-te took "Taiwan: A City upon a Hill, Salt of the Earth, Light of the World" as the theme of his National Day address, seeking to convey Taiwan's vision and mission both domestically and internationally through a series of vivid metaphors. This statement served not only as a self-affirmation of Taiwan's democracy and freedom, but also as a public declaration of the role Taiwan plays in the international community. Amid the solemn atmosphere of National Day, the president portrayed Taiwan as a "city upon a hill"—a towering, resilient city capable of illuminating all around it—and used "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" as symbols of Taiwan's contributions to the globe.

The concept of a "city upon a hill" originates from metaphors in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compared people to "salt" and "light," implying that Christians should serve as society's seasoning and illuminators. In Western culture, this metaphor has long been regarded as a symbol of moral and spiritual leadership, and it has been cited by numerous political figures to emphasize the moral high ground and sense of responsibility a nation should embody. President Lai's choice of this biblical passage as the theme of his speech was both a reflection on Taiwan's democratic journey and an expression of expectations for Taiwan's future role.

Former U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan also repeatedly invoked the imagery of a "city upon a hill" during their presidencies to emphasize America's leadership position and moral responsibility on the global stage. In a Cold War-era address, Kennedy compared the United States to a beacon casting light upon all nations, while Reagan championed the phrase as a beacon of freedom; both used similar metaphors to articulate their commitment to the international order and human rights. By borrowing this internationally recognizable rhetoric, President Lai sought to align Taiwan's values of democracy and human rights with those of Western liberal democracies, highlighting Taiwan's positive image in global governance.

In the address, President Lai further elaborated on the specific substance of how Taiwan should become a "city upon a hill": first, by upholding the democratic system and the rule of law to ensure transparency and justice in domestic politics; second, by centering on innovative technology and green energy to drive economic transformation and serve as a global model for sustainable development; and finally, by acting as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" through active participation in international humanitarian aid, climate change negotiations, and regional security dialogues to contribute to world peace and prosperity. This exposition not only answered domestic expectations regarding Taiwan's future development, but also signaled to the international community Taiwan's willingness to shoulder greater responsibilities.

The impact of this address can be viewed from two dimensions. Domestically, by using biblical metaphors as a rhetorical tool, President Lai successfully combined Taiwan's democratic achievements with a moral mission, enhancing public pride and cohesion regarding national identity. Internationally, against the backdrop of increasingly tense diplomatic relations and constrained international space, projecting the image of a "city upon a hill" highlighted Taiwan's positive role in global governance, providing a linguistic and conceptual advantage in rallying international support and recognition. Moving forward, if guided continuously by this vision, Taiwan is poised to play a more influential role across multiple areas, including regional security, economic development, and humanitarian relief, further bolstering the international community's trust and willingness to cooperate with Taiwan. (Fact source: Central News Agency)