「自由中國」是反共與共產勢力相互對抗的冷戰期間，西方國家對中華民國政府常用的稱呼。此稱呼不僅止是冷戰特殊時代下中華民國有別於「共產中國」的相對稱謂，更是中國國民黨賴以揭示其代表中國的正統地位，並藉以穩定民心、求取外援的宣傳口號。正因「自由中國」宣傳在特殊的歷史環境中所具備的重要意義，針對「自由中國」宣傳所作的研究也就更能體現出中國國民黨在面臨國破、黨滅危機之刻，如何透過其宣傳體制力挽狂瀾求取一線生機。本文擬以中國國民黨的宣傳喉舌－《中央日報》爲主要分析對象，說明：一、於國共內戰期間所建立起來的「自由中國」論述是如何出現？二、此「自由中國」論述，在國共和談、美援喪失、國府敗退等重大歷史時刻如何與時變化，以符合國民黨的需求。三、這些「自由中國」的宣傳具有那些功能？對於國民黨政權的穩定有何幫助？

"Free China" was a name that the West used to call the government of the R.O.C. during the Cold War. This name was not only a relative one to "Communist China" but also an important propaganda for Kuomintang to maintain social stability and seek foreign assistance.This article mainly examines Kuomintang's propaganda mouthpiece-"Central Daily News" to discuss the following issues. First, how the discourse of "Free China" formed during the Chinese Civil War between Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China? Second, how the discourse of "Free China" changed during some significant historical events? Third, what kinds of functions the propaganda of "Free China" had? Did it help Kuomintang stabilize its political power?