President Lai Honors Gao Xijun, Stresses Peace as Taiwan Strait’s Sole Path

President Lai Ching‑te personally presented a Commendation Order today in Taipei to Gao Xijun, founder of the Vision & World Cultural Enterprise Group, in recognition of Gao’s lifelong contributions to Taiwan’s national society, cultural publishing and economic thought. The solemn ceremony served not only as a tribute to a senior figure in the cultural sector but also carried significant political symbolism amid the rapidly shifting geopolitics of the Taiwan Strait and the broader international arena. In his remarks, President Lai highlighted Gao’s profound insights and calls for peace and happiness, and publicly pledged to carry forward those ideas, stressing that peace is not a selectable option but the sole path for the survival and development of the Taiwan Strait region and its neighbors.

Looking back on Gao’s career, the Vision & World Cultural Enterprise Group has played a pivotal role in the dissemination of knowledge, economic enlightenment and the promotion of a reading culture in Taiwan. Gao devoted himself for decades to introducing forward‑looking international economic thought to the island, using publishing and media to draw attention to core issues such as national competitiveness, corporate social responsibility and humanistic concern. During the critical period when Taiwan transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy and from a traditional to a knowledge‑based economy, the countless books and magazines produced by Gao and his team helped shape the intellectual foundation and macro‑level perspective of several generations of Taiwanese, earning high regard and respect from successive governments and across civil society.

In today’s award ceremony, President Lai’s speech touched on the cross‑strait and national‑security topics that dominate both domestic and international discourse. He explicitly noted that Gao, throughout his life, consistently advocated for Taiwan’s peace and happiness. Confronted with regional security uncertainties and the mainland’s combined “soft‑power” and military pressure, Taiwan, as the frontline of democratic defense, must maintain strong strategic resolve. By reiterating Gao’s reminder, President Lai conveyed a firm message to society that peace is not an option but the only viable road forward. The statement honored the deceased while also signaling to the Taiwanese public and the international community the government’s unwavering stance and steadfast commitment to peace.

Beyond emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of peace, President Lai extended Gao’s philosophy to assert that happiness is not a passive expectation but a collective responsibility shouldered by all citizens. This argument echoes Taiwan’s recent need to forge societal consensus as it confronts major challenges—including democratic consolidation, social justice, economic livelihood and defence resilience. In a moment when internal political‑economic conditions intertwine with external geopolitical pressures, President Lai invoked Gao’s legacy to call on political parties and civil society to set aside division and work together toward a more resilient, stable and prosperous society—a fitting tribute and realization of the late cultural luminary’s vision.

Gao’s passing marks the end of an era for a model intellectual, yet the spiritual and ideological assets he left behind continue to influence Taiwan’s democratic and social development. President Lai’s presentation of the Commendation Order and his substantive address constitute the highest state acknowledgment of Gao’s lifelong dedication and, at a critical juncture, draw on historical wisdom to steer Taiwan toward dignity, peace and sustainable development. Whether these ideas will translate into concrete policies and societal actions will serve as a key measure of Taiwan’s ability to progress steadily amid severe challenges. (Source: Central News Agency)