Taiwan Today

Members of the Kuomintang of China—including the leaders of the government of the Republic of China—assembled in their 12th National Congress from March 29 to April 5 and laid down a program of action intended to accelerate the destruction of Chinese Communism and the return of Constitution, party and government to the mainland. Chiang Ching-kuo, the President of the Republic of China, was re-elected the party's Chairman. He is the third head of the Kuomintang in a succession that includes the founder, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who was the party's President, and President Chiang Kai-shek, who was its Director General.

Nearly 1,000 delegates came to the meeting, including 70 from the Chinese mainland and more than 200 from overseas Chinese communities. Observers and others raised attendance at Chung-shan Hall, dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, to more than 1,500. The meeting place atop Yangming Mountain in the northern suburbs of Taipei was built at the direction of President Chiang Kai-shek and personally dedicated by him.

Opening the Congress on Youth Day, which also pays tribute to the 72 martyrs enshrined at Yellow Flower Mound near Canton, Chairman Chiang said the main theme was "to confirm that the 70s of the Republic of China is the era of victory for the Three Principles of the People and the recovery of the mainland." He went on to say that anti-Communist revolution is taking shape on the Chinese mainland, and then declared: "The recovery and construction of the mainland is the heavy burden carried on the shoulders of all the comrades of the party. We cannot afford to sit by idly and wait for developments. We must pool the wisdom and ability of all the Chinese without regard to birthplace or party affiliation. We must open our hearts and treat each other with complete sincerity. We welcome all who love the country and all who share our determination to join the great ranks of anti-Communist and national recovery forces in our march toward final victory." (The text of Chairman Chiang's opening address will be found in the Documents department of this issue and his concluding remarks are in incorporated in the Month in Free China.)

Chairman Chiang was nominated for re-election by the Presidium of the Congress. The choice was by acclamation and without opposition as former President Yen Chia-kan presided in the Chainnan's absence. The Presidium took note of these achievements of the party's leader, who succeeded to that post at the death of Director General Chiang Kai-shek and subsequently was chosen by the National Assembly as the President of the Republic to succeed Yen Chia-kan:

—Diplomatic leadership that is helping the nation overcome international adversities.

—Military leadership that is assuring the security of the Republic of China and the peace of the Taiwan Straits.

—Economic leadership that has made Taiwan one of the most prosperous lands in Asia.

—People's leadership expressed in close attention to the needs of the citizenry and visits to every corner of the land.

—Party leadership demonstrated in implementing the Three Principles of the People bequeathed to China by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

—Overseas leadership that has preserved the loyalty of Chinese communities throughout the world.

The Presidium concluded that the Chairman's services were indispensable to fulfill the mission of national recovery, spread the Three Principles of the People across the mainland and lead the Republic of China in the victorious decade of the 70s.

Members of the Presidium then conveyed the certificate of election to Chairman Chiang, who objected that he had not lived up to the expectations of party and nation but accepted re-election because of the party's confidence and the requirements of the Republic. The Chairman returned to the hall to receive a standing ovation. Government leaders, people from all walks of life and overseas communities joined in expressions of approval for the Kuomintang's decision.

One hundred and fifty members and 75 alternates of the party's Central Committee were elected from 300 candidates nominated by Chairman Chiang. Each delegate voted for up to 150 names. The Central Committee is the ruling body of the party between Congresses and elects the members of the Central Standing Committee, which directs the day-to-day activities of the party. The election produced 56 new members. Former President Yen Chia-kan received the largest number of votes. Other members of the "first ten" were Sun Yun-suan, Premier; Ku Cheng-kang, member of the National Assembly and anti-Communist leader; Huang Shao-ku, president of the Judicial Yuan; Shieh Tung-min, Vice President of the Republic; Y.S. Tsiang, secretary general of the Central Committee; Ma Chi-chuang, presidential secretary general; K.T. Li, minister without portfolio; Li Huan, president of National Sun Yat-sen University; and Nieh Wen-ya, president of the Legislative Yuan.

The 27-man Standing Committee was chosen by the Central Committee after nominations by Chairman Chiang. Four members stepped down: Chang Pao-shu, former secretary general of the Central Committee; Vice Premier Hsu Ching-chung; Wang Jen-yuan, former national policy adviser to the President; and General Huang Chih, strategy adviser to the President. Replacing them were Shen Chuang huan, former foreign minister; Koo Chen-fu, chairman of the Taiwan National Association of Industry and Commerce; Dr. Yen Chen-hsing, president of National Taiwan University; and Tsao Sheng-fen, chairman of the board of the Central Daily News.

Nominations could have been made by members of the Standing Committee, but that body decided to rely on the judgment of the Chairman, who was asked to list the candidates because of his knowledge of the service records of party members and the needs of the Kuomintang and nation. In addition to choosing the Standing Committee, the Central Committee retained Dr. Y.S. Tsiang as secretary general and extended the terms of deputies Wu Chun-tsai, Chen Shiu-feng and Dr. Chen Li-an.

This is the line-up of the new Standing Committee

—Yen Chia-kan, 77, native of Kiangsu, former President of the Republic.

—Shieh Tung-min, 74, Taiwan, Vice President of the Republic.

—Sun Yun-suan, 68, Shantung, president of the Executive Yuan (Premier).

—Ku Cheng-kang, 80, Kweichow, honorary chairman of the World Anti-Cummunist League.

—Huang Shao-ku, 81, Hunan, president of the Judicial Yuan.

—Nieh Wen-ya, 75, Chekiang, president of the Legislative Yuan.

—Yuan Shou-chien, 79, Hunan, vice chairman of the Planning Commission for the Recovery of Mainland China.

—Ma Chi-chuang, 70, Hopei, presidential secretary general.

—K.T. Li, 72, Nanking, minister without portfolio.

—Kao Kuei-yuan, Shantung, defense minister.

—Soong Chang-chih, 65, Liaoning, chief of the general staff.

—Chao Tsu-yu, 66, Hunan, chairman of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen.

—Wang Tih-wu, 68, Chekiang, board chairman of the United Daily News.

—Wang Sheng, 64, Kiangsi, director general of the Political Warfare Department of the Ministry of National Defense.

—Lee Teng-hui, 58, Taiwan, mayor of Taipei.

—Yu Kuo-hua, 68, Chekiang, chairman of the Economic Planning and Development Council.

—Yu Chi-chung, 71, Kiangsu, board chairman of the China Times.

—Lin Yang-kang, 54, Taiwan, governor of Taiwan.

—Shen Chang-huan, 68, Kiangsu, secretary general of the National Security Council.

—Chiu Chuang-huan, 56, Taiwan, interior minister.

—Hung Shou-nan, Taiwan, vice president of the Judicial Yuan.

—Tsai Hung-wen, 73, Taiwan, speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly.

—Lin Chin-sheng, 65, Taiwan, minister of communications.

—Koo Chen-fu, 64, Taiwan, chairman of the National Association of Industry and Commerce.

—Yen Chen-hsing, 69, Honan, president of National Taiwan University.

—Tsao Sheng-fen, 67, Hunan, board chairman of the Central Daily News.

—Lin Ting-sheng, 63, Taipei City, speaker of the Taipei City Council.

Addressing the first meeting of the 12th Central Committee, Chairman Chiang called for resolute and unswerving service to party and nation so that the final victory may be won quickly. He noted the instability of Chinese Communism and said the time is fast approaching for the decisive battle to restore Chinese freedom and democracy throughout the land.

Chairman Chiang nominated and the Congress approved 227 members of the Advisory Committee, which includes 92 party leaders originally chosen by the late Director General Chiang Kai-shek. The ranks of advisers include outstanding personalities from all walks of life. They provide the Central Committee and especially the Standing Committee with counsel on programs that are close to the people.

Constitutional revisions included the addition of a requirement that the party stand always on the side of the people. Membership of basic party units was increased from a range of 3 to 15 to 3 to 29 to allow greater flexibility. Rules of party discipline were relaxed to allow the full reinstatement of erring members after a period of good conduct.

The Platform adopted by the 12th Congress included these main points:

—Diplomacy and national defense will be strengthened so as to advance the aspirations of party and nation.

—National construction will be spurred so as to create a healthy and wealthy society.

—Forces overseas will be united for the tasks of anti-Communism.

—Recovery of the Chinese mainland will be accelerated so as to restore the unity of China and assure freedom and democracy.

The Manifesto of the Congress expressed confidence that bonds of party and people have been drawn tighter, that the vigor of party and people have been augmented and that the "great undertaking of national recovery" has passed "a new milestone and opened up the great era of unifying China under the Three Principles of the People." The Manifesto opens with a Message for Compatriots on the Chinese Mainland (see the article "Message to the mainland" on page 23 for details).

Addressing the Free World, the Manifesto observes that "Although the democratic countries can tolerate the existence of Communist influence, Communist influence can never tolerate the existence of the free and democratic system. In recent years, some democratic countries have attempted to substitute negotiation for confrontation and to gain temporary peace with concessions. As a result, Communist influence has expanded unprecedently in Southeast Asia, the Near and Middle East, Africa and Latin America. This critical expansion threatens to destroy the balance of military power that has provided the Free World with its breathing spell.

"The Free World is now permeated with the illusion that association with the Chinese Communist regime can checkmate Soviet Russia. In actuality, the antagonism between Peiping and Moscow is a struggle for hegemony in the Communist bloc. Whatever the contradictions or conflicts, these two have similar ideologies, systems and world goals. The enemy of an enemy will never become a friend. The only way open to the democratic nations requires them to strengthen their unity, summon their formidable power and take determined action. They cannot afford to rely on internal contradictions and conflicts within the Communist bloc for their survival."

U.S. developments were given the Kuomintang's blessing. "We are glad to note," the Manifesto says, "that the U.S. government, on which other democratic countries pin their hopes, has moved from confusion to sobriety in handling the world crisis. The long depressed people of the world have been encouraged by vigorous U.S. efforts to build up its arsenal for defending freedom and democracy."

Addressing countrymen at home and abroad, the Kuomintang said the urgent requirement is for unity. This can smash the Communists' united front intrigues, the party said. The Manifesto concludes with these words: "The Kuomintang of China belongs to all the people. In the last 87 years, it has consistently represented the common interests and aspirations of the people and has carried on the common struggle by uniting with the people. We have been able to overthrow despotism, establish the Republic, defeat the warlords, unify China, repulse Japanese aggression, scrap the unequal treaties and carry out democratic and constitutional rule. The current revolution against Communism for national recovery is fundamentally based on the interests and aspirations of the people, on whose continuing and common struggle we depend. We are certain that all our comrades of the party and all our fellow countrymen will join in carrying out the call of our party Chairman to 'persevere to the utmost, open a new way of carrying on the past glory, ensure firm unity and exert ourselves for self-reliance,' thus attaining the common aspiration of unifying China under the Three Principles of the People."

Delegates to the 12th Congress produced a total of 237 resolutions on every facet of Chinese life and covering every problem facing the Chinese nation. In his concluding remarks, Chairman Chiang urged the party to stand by its expressions. Formulation, he said, will get the Kuomintang nowhere without implementation.

Several of the eight days were devoted to reports from party leaders, workers and members who hold high positions in the government.

Tsiang Yien-si, the secretary general, cited the party's progress in recent years and said that the 12th Congress would usher the Kuomintang into a new era of a united and reconstructed China. Chaos on the Chinese mainland shows that the people there are waiting for the return of the party and rededication to freedom and democracy, he said.

Legislative Yuan President Nieh Wen-ya told of the hard work of legislators since the 11th National Congress of the Kuomintang five years ago. In that period, the legislature has reviewed and enacted 197 laws, approved 36 budget proposals and 3 treaties, and has considered 4,325 petitions. More than 5,000 written and oral interpellations have come from legislators.

Huang Shao-ku, president of the Judicial Yuan, said that a work improvement measure will help strengthen the functions of the Council of Grand Justices, improve the court system, assure the disciplining of public servants and otherwise raise the standard of service to the nation and people.

Yu Chun-hsien, president of the Control Yuan, said his branch of government has handled 20 impeachments and 2 cases of censure, recommended 37 corrective measures, received 30,277 complaints and carried out 1,933 investigations in the last five years. Billions of dollars have been saved in the operations of the Central, Provincial, Taipei and Kaohsiung Governments. The process of auditing has been modernized and strengthened.

Liu Chi-hung, president of the Examination Yuan, said the system of examinations has been greatly improved since the 11th Congress. In the last year, 7,590 persons were added to government duty rosters and 3,499 civil servants received promotions or pay raises as the result of examinations. Retirements numbered 2,852 and another 450 persons were transferred or dismissed.

Chu Fu-sung, the minister of foreign affairs, said the Republic of China is firmly entrenched in the democratic camp and will never enter into contacts with members of the Communist bloc.

Admiral Soong Chang-chih, chief of the general staff, reported that the Chinese Communists will never give up their attempts to destroy the Republic of China by force of arms. But if they mount an invasion, he added, "we shall annihilate them." The nation's top military leader illustrated his talk with a film showing such locally manufactured weapons as the XA-T3 jet trainer, the ground-to-ground Ching Feng missile, the anti-tank Kun Wu missile and the surface-to-surface Hsiung Feng missile. The last, he said, marked a breakthrough toward development of longer-range missiles.

Several reports were heard from underground workers on the Chinese mainland. One said that the Chinese Communist regime will collapse in from three to five years. This view is held even in high echelons of the Communist party, he added. The party power struggle has led to executions. Whatever the outcome of the rivalry between Teng Hsiao-ping and Hua Kuo-feng, other schisms will arise. People no longer have confidence in the party or any of the leaders. Realization is now widespread that the "four modernizations" were never seriously intentioned. The purpose was propagandistic.

As a party based on the people, the Kuomintang carefully sought and assessed the views and recommendations of the rank and file membership during the Congress. Many suggestions were incorporated into resolutions and the various programs of action. Uppermost in the minds of many was the necessity of improving communication between the party leadership and the people. Some members urged the expansion of party membership. Others wanted a bigger role for women. Augmented grass roots activities were strongly supported.

Premier Sun Yun-suan, who heads the Executive Yuan, presented one of the most important reports of the meeting—that on the work of the administration since the 11th Congress. Reviewing the five-year period, the Premier found that great progress had been made despite difficult challenges. "We stand as firm as a mountain, concrete and immovable," he said. The highlights of his report are summarized as follows:

At home, people of all levels and ages—men and women—share a wish to support the government and protect the nation. Overseas Chinese remain undaunted and steadfast. Government administration is characterized by equal emphasis on internal and external endeavors, the linking of national defense activities to the people's livelihood, the gearing of democracy to enforcement of the rule of law, equal attention to agriculture and industry and the balanced development of cities and towns. The visible and invisible forces of the state have been augmented as the result of cooperation between government and people.

The assets of party and nation include: Guidance of the high ideals of the Three Principles of the People. Leadership of the party's sagacious Chairman. Devoted and unanimous support from compatriots at home and abroad. Contributions from law-abiding and responsible personnel of the armed forces, government and educational institutions. These assets will make it possible to adhere to the Three Principles of the People and obey the Chairman's instruction to: (1) Establish the great framework of democracy. (2) Be a model for development. (3) To be in the anti-Communist vanguard.

For the last five years, the administration has sought stability and growth internally while pursuing an active program externally. The political position has been further renovated and stronger national defenses developed along with a more prosperous economy, a more glorious culture and a more harmonious society. This has led to augmented national power and a more equitable distribution of wealth among the people. Such gains serve to create more advantageous conditions for the recovery of the mainland.

Political construction has included wider participation and conduct of the supplementary parliamentary election of December 6, 1980, which demonstrated the sincerity of the government in implementing constitutional democracy and the self-reliant and law-abiding spirit of the people. National development seminars have been held annually with two in 1979. Advice and counsel have been sought from the people at every level. Separation of prosecution from the court system was effected in 1980. The Kaohsiung incident of December, 1979 was handled under the law and in keeping with the principles of "to heal, not to hate" and "to protect the innocent and punish the guilty." The National Compensation Law has been promulgated. Measures have been adopted to combat juvenile delinquency and improve the people's relations of police, land administration, tax, customs, prosecution and prison officials. Local self-government has been strengthened in consequence of six meetings held with chiefs at the grass roots level. A general census was carried out. Kaohsiung, a city of more than 1 million, was raised to the status of special municipality.

Economic construction has proceeded on these fronts:

—Agriculture. The farmer's standard of living has been raised and mechanization is being accelerated. Farm size is being increased to make production more economical, and land consolidation is under way. More will be done to help farm income keep up with the industrial and service sectors.

—Industry. Heavy and chemical industries have moved ahead of light industry in percentage terms. Investment is being encouraged to stimulate the development of technology-intensive plants. Energy development and conservation programs are under way. From 1952 through 1980, foreigners and overseas Chinese brought US$2.72 billion worth of capital to Taiwan.

—Foreign trade. Volume reached the US$40 billion level last year with a small favorable balance despite adverse economic conditions in the world marketplace.

—Finances and taxes. The gap between rich and poor has been narrowed. Direct taxes constituted nearly 33 per cent of all tax revenues in 1980. Savings have exceeded 33 per cent of the gross national product for the last five years.

—Capital construction. The Ten Major Construction Projects were completed and the Twelve New Construction Projects are under way. Agriculture, industry, transportation and culture are beneficiaries of current undertakings.

Cultural and educational construction is moving ahead with these developments.

—Education. School-age attendance is up to 99.7 per cent with 25.7 per cent of the population in the classroom. The number of schools exceeds 5,000. Spending on education has more than doubled in the last five years. The lower birth rate is resulting in fewer primary school pupils, but more elementary graduates are going on to high school and college. Vocational education is now preferred by nearly 66 per cent of students at the post-junior high school level. The quality of both students and teachers is rising.

—Culture. City and county centers are being established. Various programs are under way, including one to augment cooperation with other countries.

—Science and technology. Training has been greatly augmented. The Hsinchu Science Industrial Park is open. Foreign specialists have been engaged to provide guidance.

—Social development. Major measures include: reinforcement of social welfare measures, sanctioning of foreign travel, universal implementation of land ownership equalization and improvement of land administration, protection of labor's rights and interests, enlarging the scope of social insurance, development of new townships and construction of public housing, improvement of the social environment and public health care, and provision of job placement services for young people.

The Republic of China on Taiwan is providing the model for a free, peaceful, unified and modern China even as mainland compatriots are renouncing Communism because it does not meet the needs of the Chinese people. The per capita income of the Republic of China was US$2,101 even as Teng Hsiao-ping was admitting that the mainland could not attain a goal of US$1,000 by 1990.

Concluding his report, Premier Sun said: "Inspired by the party and the state and with the trust of the people, all our comrades working in the government and all of my colleagues resolve to adhere to the revolutionary spirit and follow the Chairman's leadership. At the same time, we shall dedicate ourselves to the service of the country with total loyalty and be guided by the party's policy and the Chairman's directions. We shall fulfill the mission assigned to us by the party and the state and accomplish the solemn task of uniting China under the Three Principles of the People."

Commentaries on the 12th Congress were constructively favorable. Noting that the Manifesto placed emphasis on the relations between the Kuomintang and the people, one of these said: "That is not only as it should be but absolutely essential at this time. 'The people' are those of the Chinese mainland as well as Taiwan. The Kuomintang is dedicated to the unification of China under the Three Principles of the People. That is not possible without the active and dedicated participation of Chinese people everywhere, and especially of those living under Communist tyranny.

"Contrasts between life in Taiwan and on the mainland are drawn in the Manifesto. These are useful as information addressed to the non-Chinese world but all too well known to the people of the mainland. For compatriots in continental China, the summons is to anti-Communist battle. Freedom fighting mainlanders are correctly to be regarded as comrades in arms. The Manifesto says that those who stand with us on the mainland are to be trusted. This is immensely important as the Kuomintang and our government urge 'anti-Communist revolution now' by our mainland compatriots. Revolutionaries who risk their lives know what will happen to them if they fail. They also want to know what will happen if they win.

"President Chiang Kai-shek promised long ago that only the Communist ringleaders would be punished. The people would assume all the duties and rights of citizens of the Republic of China and choose their own leaders and administration under the Constitution. This has not been repeated so often of late. Now is the psychological moment to make clear that the Republic of China does not advocate any 'conquest' of the mainland in which those who have never left big China would play a lesser role than those who came to Taiwan.

"Words and accomplishments of the 12th Congress show that the Kuomintang is well aware that the next great explosion of the National Revolution has to come from the people on the mainland. We can help. We can fight when the time comes. But we cannot move into President Chiang Kai-shek's '30 per cent of military action' until the '70 per cent of politics' has done its work. People of the mainland know about tyranny and suffering. Their interest is not in escaping to Hongkong but in getting rid of Communism. The nuts, the bolts and the future of revolution are highly important to them."

Discussing the call of Chairman Chiang Ching-kuo for the unification of China under the Three Principles of the People, another editorialist wrote: "Life in the Republic of China is not only prosperous but good. It is also free and happy. This is not merely the model province of China but the best in Chinese history. As the Chairman pointed out, the contrast is with the mainland China of impoverishment and tyranny. People of the mainland are already aware of the difference. They have, as the Chairman said, made their decision, and it is in favor of the Republic of China and against the Communists."

But it is not easy to provide for the decision of mainland compatriots, the commentary continued. The experience of the National Revolution which overthrew the Manchus teaches that tyrants hang on for a long time. Ten uprisings were mounted against the Ch'ing Dynasty before the October, 1911, success at Wuchang. Although Dr. Sun Yat-sen must have been discouraged at times, he never admitted it. Time after time, he rallied China's revolutionary forces and tried again. He and his followers had one advantage. They were on the ground, whereas Taiwan and the central core of our freedom fighters are on the other side of the Straits. The operatives and sympathizers on the mainland are important but less so than a massive presence would be. Hatred of the Communists is not enough. The people on the mainland require leadership and inspiration to throw off their chains. Once the process begins, there will be no stopping it.

It will be the role of the Kuomintang to set off the spark. Wuchang's explosion was premature. The Revolution wasn't supposed to have begun then and there. But once the fires of freedom began to burn out the Manchus, there was no stopping the conflagration. For nearly 32 years, the government has been less than a free agent in mainland operations. The United States has always intervened to "keep the peace," oblivious to the fact that this was also ordaining a future of slavery for the billion people of the mainland. The KMT is less circumscribed. It has channels that the government might hesitate to use. Its most dedicated mainland followers remain intact after three decades of Communist rule. The fuel for anti-Communist revolution exists. Once the spark has ignited the great bonfire of mainland hatred of the Communists for their oppressions and failures, the government will no longer be bound by legal or philosophical obligations not to "rock the boat." When the anti-Communist revolution begins, no force in this world will be able to prevent the people of the Taiwan island bastion from going to the assistance of mainland freedom fighters.

The commentary concluded: "There is no Taiwan problem, only a China problem, and its solution lies on the mainland. So far the Chinese people have manipulated only a few integers of the equation. They have not yet tackled the problem head-on. When they do, the 'X' of Communism will be quickly erased through the joint attack of mainlanders and the Chinese of this island. President Chiang has sent the 12th Congress off to an inspired beginning. Now it is up to the party of Dr. Sun to devise and implement the actions that will launch the anti-Communist revolution on the mainland and quickly send the forces of the Republic of China into the final and decisive battle."

Another point of view suggested that the Chinese Communists are already running scared. Although the Communists still exercise some control over the military and police, the mainland's system of 1984-style block-by-block control of the people is breaking down. So the Communists are desperate. Those who seek freedom, democracy and the Three Principles of the People are being rooted out once again and sent to the distant frontier or to prison. In the great sum of things, the mainland has nothing to fear from anti-Communist revolution, because the movement against tyranny bespeaks the mind of the whole people. Genuine Communists are far and few between, even in the Communist party. The message that the Kuomintang has for all the Chinese people is the same that has been laid down time and again since the time of Mencius. Tyrants are to be overthrown by the whole body of the people. Arrayed against the people, tyrants have no chance.

Atop Yangmingshan, from Youth and Martyrs' Day to Tombsweeping Day and the Sixth anniversary of the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek, the Kuomintang of China sounded a summons to complete the National Revolution with the defeat of Communism and liberate a billion people who want freedom, democracy, peace and a united country.