2025 Annual Forum: The Legacy of "Free China" and the Trials of Contemporary Democracy

During the politically repressive 1950s, three prominent figures of liberalism and democracy—Lei Chen, Yin Hai-kuang, and Fu Cheng—severely criticized communist totalitarianism, arguing that genuine anti-communism must be grounded in freedom and the rule of law, thereby sowing the ideological seeds for Taiwan's democratization. Seventy years later, as China continues to exert pressure on Taiwan and the discourse of "anti-communism" re-emerges, how Taiwanese society can understand the meaning of anti-communism at a time of defending democracy, and contemplate the relationship between democratic defense and freedom of speech, is a crucial issue we must face today.

This forum arises precisely from this critical background where history and reality intersect. We look forward to responding to the various challenges currently facing Taiwan by reviving the spirit of "Free China," and exploring the future direction of liberal democracy and institutional pathways through historical reflection and intellectual debate.

Online Registration

Time

December 6, 2025 (Saturday), 13:00–18:00

Venue

International Conference Hall, 1st Floor, Tsai Lecture Hall (Lin-tze Building), College of Law, National Taiwan University

Session I | "Reflections on Anti-Communism: The Nature of Communist China and the Problem of Anti-Communism"

Moderator Chin-Feng Hsueh / Convener of the Advisory Committee, Lei Chen Democracy and Human Rights Charitable Trust

Keynote Speaker Jo-shui Chen / Chairman of the Board, Yin Hai-kuang Memorial Academic Foundation; Chair Professor, Department of History, National Taiwan University

Panelist Paul Lin / Advisory Committee Member, Lei Chen Democracy and Human Rights Charitable Trust; Senior Commentator

Panelist Chao-Nien Huang / Associate Professor and Director, Graduate Institute of Development Studies, National Chengchi University

Session II | "Freedom of Speech for the Enemies of Freedom"

Moderator Chen Chun-hung / Director, Fu Cheng Democracy Research Center; Professor, Department of Political Science, Soochow University

Keynote Speaker Hui-Chieh Su / Associate Professor, College of Law, National Taiwan University

Panelist Lin Tzu-yi / Former Grand Justice of the Judicial Yuan; Adjunct Professor, College of Law, National Taiwan University; Adjunct Research Fellow, Institutum Iurisprudentiae, Academia Sinica

Panelist Hsu Tzong-li / Former President of the Judicial Yuan; Professor Emeritus, College of Law, National Taiwan University

Organizer

Lei Chen Democracy and Human Rights Charitable Trust

Yin Hai-kuang Memorial Academic Foundation

Fu Cheng Democracy Research Center

Co-Organizer

Taiwan Association for Human Rights

Judicial Reform Foundation

Media Partner

Plain Law Movement