President Lai invokes biblical imagery in National Day speech to champion freedom

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivered his National Day speech at the celebration ceremony held in Taipei, focusing on the theme "Taiwan: City upon a Hill, Salt of the Earth, Light of the World" to emphasize the nation's unique positioning on the global stage. The speech took place on October 16 at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, where President Lai took the opportunity to review Taiwan's developmental trajectory since its retrocession in 1945 and outline a vision for the nation's future. The address has drawn widespread domestic and international attention for integrating relatively novel language and symbolism into the traditional National Day celebrations.

In the core section of his speech, President Lai cited a biblical passage depicting the imagery of "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This reference not only echoes Taiwan's steadfast commitment to the values of democracy and freedom, but also symbolizes Taiwan's ability to maintain light and hope despite pressure in international politics. President Lai combined this scripture with Taiwan's actual circumstances, emphasizing that amidst intersecting globalization and geopolitics, Taiwan continues to meet challenges with a diverse and open posture.

Stephen Yates, a senior U.S. national security expert, pointed out in an interview with the Central News Agency that President Lai's invocation of the Bible possesses a high degree of affinity for American audiences familiar with Western cultural backgrounds. Yates believes this is not only an affirmation of Taiwan's democratic values, but also a clear contrast to the system of the Chinese Communist Party. From the perspective of strategic communication, such a reference can resonate domestically within the United States, further strengthening the consensus on values and security between Taiwan and the United States.

Over the past decades, Taiwan has formed a diverse and open social environment through institutions such as constitutional guarantees, freedom of speech, and judicial independence. In contrast, the CCP system centers on party leadership and the party's will, imposing greater restrictions on speech and social operation. By using biblical scripture as a metaphor, President Lai is effectively conveying a message to the United States and the international community: Taiwan's freedom and diversity are not accidental, but rather based on solid institutional and cultural foundations. This mode of communication can both elevate Taiwan's positive image in the minds of Americans and reinforce Taiwan's moral high ground on the international stage.

Regarding cross-strait relations, President Lai's National Day speech once again clearly articulated Taiwan's sovereign stance. By citing the Bible, President Lai not only echoed the internal pursuit of freedom within Taiwan, but also signaled to China internationally that Taiwan will not yield to external pressure and possesses firm democratic convictions. This move may create a certain shock to China's diplomatic strategy, prompting Beijing to reassess its communication methods and tactics regarding its policies toward Taiwan.

In summary, by centering his National Day speech on the theme "Taiwan: City upon a Hill, Salt of the Earth, Light of the World" and citing biblical scripture, President Lai Ching-te successfully linked Taiwan's democratic values with the cultural background of American audiences, further reinforcing value resonance between Taiwan and the United States. This move has not only generated resonance both domestically and internationally, but has also provided a new strategic direction for shaping Taiwan's image on the international stage.