臺北市政府文化局

Cheng “Nylon” Nan-jung played a crucial role in Taiwan’s pro-democracy movement. This narrow alley was on his daily route to the office of his magazine, where he ultimately selfimmolated for his beliefs. 

From March 1984 to April 1989, every working day Cheng would walk to the door of No. 11, open it, climb to the third floor, and enter the editor-in-chief's office. The magazine he founded, Freedom Era Weekly, frequently published articles critical of the government, demanding the lifting of martial law and the dissolution of the secret police and advocating for Taiwanese independence. 

The articles directly challenged government authority. To protect journalists and other contributors from persecution, their names were often omitted and instead it was stated, “All editorial responsibility is borne by the editor-in-chief, Cheng Nan-jung.”

On the morning of that fateful day, April 7, 1989, hundreds of police surrounded the magazine offices to detain Cheng, and fire engines were stationed at the entrance to the lane. In response to Freedom Era Weekly’s publication of a legal scholar’s draft “Constitution of the Republic of Taiwan”, Cheng was charged with sedition.

Refusing to be silenced, Cheng locked himself in his office. As the police broke down the magazine’s front door and prepared to breach the metal office door, Cheng poured gasoline over himself and set himself on fire. 

Today, the 3rd floor of No. 11 houses the Cheng Nan-jung Foundation. The editor-in-chief's office looks exactly as it did at the time of the tragic event.