The Kuomintang’s 10th national meeting adopts measures to reform and modernize the Party and completes plans for the reconstruction of a free China
High on grass-green Yangmingshan in a hall dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Founding Father, China’s Kuomintang convened one of the most important meetings in its long struggle to assure the triumph of Chinese constitutional rule and the perpetuation of traditional Chinese culture. President Chiang Kai-shek, the Director-General of the Nationalist Party, was present to open the 10th National Congress. Some 1,200 delegates and observers-half of them from the mainland or from overseas communities - listened intently and applauded again and again as their leader and the nation’s chief executive bade them to reform and modernize the Party and thus assure its leadership in counterattack and mainland recovery to overthrow the tyranny of Maoist Communism.
“With one mind,” he said, “all Chinese will march forward toward a truly free new China.” First, the Kuomintang must apply the scientific method and scientific principles in reforming itself, he said. After that the Party will be able to take the lead in reforming the nation and constructing a new China of democracy, freedom and peace based on Dr. Sun’s Three Principles of the People.
President Chiang, who has headed the Party since the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925, recalled the Kuomintang’s ceaseless endeavors to assure a free China with government of the people, by the people and for the people. He reminded his listeners, who included most of the free Chinese leaders of today, that Dr. Sun tried and failed 10 times before the successful Wuchang Revolution of 1911 that overthrew the Ch’ing dynasty and led to establishment of the Republic of China the following January 1. After the setbacks and advances of the past, the Party will succeed in liberating the mainland as a consequence of decisions made and actions taken at the 10th Congress, the Director-General declared.
Appropriate to the Youth Day opening date of the Congress was the fact that the average age of delegates was only 46, making the assemblage the youngest since the early days of the Party. This was in keeping not only with the Director-General’s instructions but with the determination of the Party to emphasize the youthful traditions that went into the making of the National Revolution. Young men and women made the revolution of March 29, 1911, and 72 of them became the Martyrs enshrined at Huang Hua Kang (Yellow Flower Mound) in Canton. On the following October 10, youth spoke once more at Wuchang. The 10th Congress delegates and observers went to the Yuan shan Martyrs’ Shrine to pay tribute to the nation’s war dead before ascending Grass Mountain and filing into the Chungshan Building to hear President Chiang and begin their deliberations.
Seven major topics appeared on the agenda of the Congress:
-Revision of the Party Charter.
-Revision of the Party Platform.
-Reform and reconstruction of the Kuomintang.
-Social reconstruction.
-Political reform.
-Equalization of urban land ownership.
-Acceleration of preparations for the recovery of the mainland.
In keeping with the call from the Director-General, delegates quickly made concrete suggestions for reform of the Party and for a more active Kuomintang role in guiding the nation toward honest, competent government and the participation of the KMT in ascertaining grass-roots opinion. These were some of the specific suggestions at the first business meeting:
-Increased guidance for Party members holding government posts, including a declaration of their property holdings.
-Party austerity and a system of supervision to assure it. The KMT scheduled only two social functions during the 10th Congress.
-Improved training of Party members and the modernization of Party organizations.
-Persuasion of young Party members to serve in rural areas.
-Job rotation and retirement to assure changing and youthful Party leadership.
-Close contacts with the people among local Party workers and assistance in the solution of grassroots problems.
-Housing and other dependents’ assistance for Party members engaged in anti-Communist activities.
-Help for the poor and the needy.
-Increased support of women’s auxiliaries in activities aimed at mainland recovery.
-Encouragement of overseas, Chinese investment in Taiwan and help for overseas Chinese students who want to come to Taiwan for advanced study.
-Elimination of corruption and perfection of the Party image.
-Termination of all irregularities at the local election level.
-Careful consideration of suggestions by Party members.
-Exemplary performance by Party workers.
Party Secretary-General Chang Pao-shu took note of the high educational qualifications of 10th Congress delegates. Some 60 were holders of doctor’s degrees. As compared with the 1963 Congress, the attendance of women increased by 4.7 per cent, that of Taiwan- born members by 10.2 per cent and that of delegates under 35 years old by 7.2 per cent.
One of the leading members of the Standing Committee, Defense Minister Chiang Ching-kuo, the elder son of Director-General: Chiang Kai-shek, attended the opening ceremonies and then departed for Washington as his father’s representative at the funeral of General and former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He reported to the Congress upon his return.
The forward-looking nature of the Kuomintang was expressed three days before start of the Congress when the National Security Council approved a measure calling for elections and by-elections to legislative bodies of the Republic of China. Later in 1969, this will mean the election of additional Taiwan representatives to the National Assembly (15), Legislative Yuan (12) and Control Yuan (2). President Chiang signed the measure the day after it was sanctioned by the NSC, over which the chief executive presides.
National elections have not been held since the late 1940’s because of the Communist occupation of the mainland. This means that Taiwan representation is approximately half that justified by the population. The three national legislative bodies have suffered sharp reduction in numbers as a result of natural attrition. The new elections will not affect the present members of the parliamentary organs; their terms have been extended indefinitely for the period of the Communist emergency.
Election of members of the National Assembly and Legislative Yuan will be by universal, equal, direct and secret ballot. The new members of the Control Yuan will be chosen by provincial and municipal assemblies and councils using a single ballot system under which only one candidate is to be voted for. Detailed rules are laid down for the number of members to be chosen, the electorate, those eligible for candidacy, election organs and procedures, and annulments, suits and other irregularities.
The March 29 opening of the 10th Congress meant that President Chiang Kai-shek was addressing the Kuomintang as well as the young people of China in his Youth Day message. “Our Republic of China, with the largest population in the world, has benefited from the advancing tide of progress and has consummated the most civilized revolution in world history,” he said, quoting Dr. Sun Yat-sen. “The motivating force behind this modern, progressive revolution is the party that was founded and led by our Founding Father to restore the sovereignty of China, establish a republic and realize the ideals of San Min Chu I (Dr. Sun’s Three Principles of the People) ... According to Dr. Sun, the National Revolution assures the unification of our people, the consolidation of our will power and the channeling of our energy into the construction of a modem nation. This is a movement that involves all of us and calls for sacrifices from everyone. We may define National Revolution as the responsibility that falls on all of us in a nation in which everyone stands for liberty, equality and fraternity.”
The President took note of the turmoil and restiveness of the world today and of the failure to distinguish between right and wrong. “This is a time in history,” he said, “when many young people are downcast and frustrated in their spiritual life; they are at a loss to know what to do. This is also the critical moment when all human- kind must choose between success and failure, between catastrophe and a good life. Behind the Iron Curtain, the suffering of young people is growing steadily worse. In the free world, the pollution of thought, the imbalance between wisdom and anxiety, and the lack of understanding of the essential meaning of freedom and democracy have brought about spiritual depression and mental despondency among young people. Such manifestations have led youths into a morass of extremes or an abyss of degeneration. They seek escape from normal family and social life, abandon rational and moral standards, and negate intellectual, academic and spiritual values. They mistake these tendencies for ultimate self-development. They are ignorant of the fact that their perverse and evil thoughts and conduct have brought tragedy upon themselves and disaster to their countries and humankind.
“The development of science has reached unprecedented heights. An individual has access to an illimitable intelligence that can assure unbounded happiness for his country and the human race. This is a time without precedent for young people to pursue their chosen careers. They should be devoting all their energies to the making of a brilliant future. They have no cause for pessimism or bitterness.”
President Chiang called attention to the Communists’ enslavement of youth and to Maoist destruction of the educational system under the Mao Tse-tung’s slogan of “the more a person studies, the more stupid he becomes”. But Mao has failed, the President said, because “the culture of San Min Chu I has permeated the inner hearts of our 700 million compatriots on the mainland. Their enthusiastic response indicates that the massive ramparts of Mao’s evil influence are collapsing and his poisonous flames are going out. The Chinese mainland is coming to symbolize the rebirth of humanity and civilization”.
The President cited the freedoms enjoyed by the youth of Taiwan and continued: “We know that Chinese youths of the mainland are being driven from place to place and leading a life of hardship. Yet the future of Chinese revolutionary youth-and that of the Chinese nation-is bright with promise. In a world seemingly out of its mind, we and only we are firm in our revolutionary faith and have the wisdom to deliver ourselves from skepticism. In a world of appeasement and fear, only we have the steadfastness to carryon our struggle to the end. These manifestations demonstrate the character of our revolutionary youths. Because of their exalted character, we are fully aware of the danger of world communization. We alone have accepted the challenging duty of saving mankind from unprecedented tragedy.”
President Chiang said many people “tend to see and understand only what is under their noses, and so they take note of the vast population living under Mao. But that is a mere counting of concentration camps. What we possess is intangible - the minds of 700 million people on the mainland and their spiritual relationship with San Min Chu I, our history and our traditional culture. The Maoists have 700 million different minds. All of us - the Chinese people at home and abroad - have one and the same mind, which is dedicated to the overthrow of Communism and to national salvation. We can be sure that all of the people will come to the aid of the benevolent in attacking an enemy who has been deserted even by the members of his own family.”
All the young people of China will respond to the summons of the National Revolution, President Chiang said, and will join “in the task of recovering the mainland and then of national reconstruction I shall be there with you and will lead all of you …in marching forward toward improvement, advancement and struggle so that you will deserve to become the revolutionary followers of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the successors of the revolutionary martyrs of Huang Hua Kang. Through our common endeavors and total cooperation, we shall build a new China of San Min Chu I and thus accomplish the unprecedented, glorious and great historical task in the third phase of our National Revolution.”
Addressing a Sun Yat-sen memorial meeting attended by the 1,200 delegates and observers to the Congress, President Chiang said the Kuomintang’s political counteroffensive already has won over the people of the mainland. “This has paved the way for our military operations and will lead to a final victory,” the President said. Through the last 75 years, the Kuomintang has become a principal bulwark of Asian freedom and security, he added. As a result of stability on Taiwan, the Party has been able to draft long-range plans for national recovery and reconstruction. The leader of Party and nation said the government “is politically, militarily and economically prepared to launch a military counterattack and is awaiting the most opportune moment to do so”. He called attention to the young voices that are being raised in the Congress and observed that while “nothing is too easy, nothing is impossible”.
Young people, overseas leaders and intellectuals joined top Party and government figures on the 25-man Presidium of the 10th Congress. These were the Presidium members serving the Congress along with Secretary-General Chang Pao-shu and Deputy Secretaries-General Chin Hsiao-yi and Milton Shieh:
Yen Chia-kan, Vice President and Prime Minister.
Chiang Ching-kuo, Defense Minister; chairman, General Mobilization Committee of the National Security Council.
Ku Cheng-kang, council chairman, World Anti-Communist League; president, WACL China Chapter; chairman, APACL China Chapter.
Chow Chih-jou, chairman, National Reconstruction Planning Committee of the National Security Council.
Huang Shao-ku, Deputy Prime Minister; secretary-general, National Security Council.
Chang Chi-yun, commandant, National War College; board chairman, College of Chinese Culture; president, China Academy.
Yuan Shou-chien, chairman, Political Affairs Committee for the War Areas, National Security Council.
Huang Chieh, Governor of Taiwan.
Cheng Yin-fun, deputy secretary-general, Office of the President.
Kuo Cheng, secretary-general, National Assembly. Hsieh Tung-ming, speaker, Taiwan Provincial Assembly; publisher, Shin Sheng Pao (New Life Daily News); president, Shih Chien Home Economics College.
Lin Yang-kang, magistrate, Nantou county.
Huang Jen-chun, overseas Chinese from the United States.
Ni Wen-chiung, professor of Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State University.
Li Chih-min, overseas Chinese from the Philippines.
Huang Yi-yun, president, Kwangta College, Hongkong.
Hsu Chih-wei, student from West Germany (University of Munster).
Ma Jui-lu, civil engineer.
Miss Titania J.T. Chien, legislator; director, Women’s Dept., Central Committee of KMT.
Miss Pih Yi-shu, legislator; secretary-general, Chinese Women’s Anti-Aggression League.
Miss Li Chung-kwei, professor of international law, National Chengchi University.
Victor Chen-hwa Cheng, member, Committee for Science Development, National Security Council; secretary-general, Atomic Energy Council; director, Institute of Nuclear Science, National Tsinghua University.
Sechin Jagchid (Mongolian), member of the National Assembly.
Abdullah T. Emiloglu (Singkiang), member of the National Assembly.
The Congress report on mainland conditions was made by Hsu Ching-lan, director of the 6th Department of the Kuomintang Central Committee, who said that Peiping is deeply mired in failure and that the situation is becoming highly favorable for counterattack. Both internationally and on the mainland, developments support the Republic of China, he said, whereas the “great proletarian cultural revolution” has brought the Chinese Communist system to the brink of collapse. Communist thought is at the end of a blind alley, he said, and has been deserted by the cadres of both Party and administration. In its death throes, Peiping may lash out in great violence, Hsu said, and urged positive planning and creative psychological preparation for the Republic of China’s mission of liberation and national reconstruction.
Yeh Hsiang-chih, director of the KMT 2nd Department, reported on Party and government activities behind the Communist lines. The tempo has risen sharply in the last three years, he said, and many recent developments on the mainland are to be attributed to Kuomintang freedom fighters. He cited propaganda work and information collection, sabotage, military attack on Communist installations, instigation of defection and help for defectors, and commando attacks from the sea. Yeh said many Party members have sacrificed their lives in the struggle against Mao and Communism.
Vice President and Prime Minister C.K. Yen made the report on the administrative progress of the Republic of China’s government. This is a summary of his wide-ranging review of the last six years:
In the last six years, the government has endeavored to modernize national reconstruction in accord with the teachings of our National Father and the instructions of the Director-General. Military and diplomatic affairs and the mainland situation will be reported separately. This report deals with political, economic, educational and social aspects in which we have had these objectives:
-Political modernization: To implement a constitutional system of organized democracy and disciplined freedom in which the people have the rights and the government has the power.
“-Economic modernization: To assure freedom, happiness, well being and an equalization of wealth and to attain an economy based on the welfare of all the people.
-Educational modernization: To provide guidance for moral, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual education and effect cultural reconstruction based on the Three Principles of the People.
Social modernization: To build a society of prosperity, progress, propriety, harmony and happiness.
Political reconstruction in the last six years has included:
The Director-General’s election to his fourth term as President of the Republic consolidated the position of this anti-Communist revolutionary leading center. Establishment of the Constitutional Research Committee and the National Security Council and expansion of the Anti-Mao National Salvation United Front have created a new situation and led to new opportunities for mainland recovery and expansion of constitutional democracy. The administration has endeavored to reach these goals:
1. Sound local self-government-Self-government is the foundation of political reconstruction. Sound election systems and local political organizations can promote reconstruction and augment the people's welfare. Rules governing local self-government have been revised to provide government-financed campaigning and raise the qualifications of candidates. More people are voting.
Public enterprises have increased local financial power. Local government organizations have been renovated and authority decentralized.
2. Maintenance of national security and the protection of civil rights - Rule of law is an important link in our political reconstruction. Our judicial administration has been improved. Cases involving national security and the social order have been given priority. Crime has been combatted. In protection of civil rights, the system of public defenders has been improved. The quality of judges has been raised.
3. Promotion of overseas Chinese solidarity - Overseas Chinese number some 18,290,000. The government has helped them in educational, cultural and economic undertakings.
4. Liaison with the Mongolian and Tibetan people - The anti-Communist efforts of the Mongolian and Tibetan people at home and abroad have been assisted and plans made for the reconstruction of Mongolia and Tibet after mainland recovery. More than 83,000 Mongolian and Tibetan people living overseas have been contacted.
5. General administrative renovation - The Personnel Administration Bureau was established under the Executive Yuan in September 1967. The Committee on Statutes has been established to revise and simplify laws.
Economic reconstruction in the last six years has included:
The implementation of four four-year economic development plans has established an economic system based on the Principle of the People’s Livelihood. To use agriculture to cultivate industry and industry to develop agriculture is the established policy. These are principal economic achievements:
1. Land reform - Since reform, rice output per hectare has doubled. Earnings of owner-farmers have increased 3.3 times. Major measures of the last six years are continued sale of public land, loans to tenant farmers to purchase land, reclassification of land to increase utilization and equalization of urban land ownership.
2. Economic growth - Annual increase in the gross national product has averaged 10.9 per cent.
3. Agricultural development - With 1962 as the base year, the production index stood at 147.5 at the end of 1968. In the 1962-67 period, 3,081 foreigners came to China to receive agricultural training and 1,159 farm technicians were sent to foreign countries.
4. Industrial progress - Growth has averaged 16.7 per cent annually for the last six years. Basic industry is increasing.
5. Foreign trade - The level was US$700 million in 1963 and US$1.82 billion in 1968 with an average annual increase of 17.2 per cent.
6. Development of resources - Increase in coal production is limited by the supply. Government projects include petroleum exploration and exploitation, development of geothermal energy and construction of a nuclear power plant.
7. Water conservancy - Taiwan has dikes totaling more than 940,000 meters and embankments totaling more than 130,000 meters. The irrigated area exceeds 540,000 hectares.
8. Communications and transportation - The infrastructure has been enlarged, traffic order improved, management renovated and efficiency raised.
9. Reform of taxation - Collection has been strengthened and modernized. Government revenues are up.
10. Finance and credit - The money is sound. Credit is available and the interest rate has been adjusted. Public bonds are in demand.
11. Budgetary preparation and execution - Performance budgets have been executed at the central level since 1964 and at the local level since 1965. Estimates are prepared for four years in advance.
Educational and cultural reconstruction in the last six years has included:
1. Nine-year education - This was implemented in the 1968-69 school year. A national junior high school was established in each of 474 districts. The total budget is NT$3.6 billion. The percentage of primary school graduates going to junior high school rose to 73.32 in 1968.
2. Science - The National Science Council under the National Security Council is in charge of science development. Scientific education and research is making rapid progress.
3. Chinese cultural renaissance - The Bureau of Cultural Affairs has been established under the Ministry of Education to organize and coordinate cultural activities.
4. Higher and vocational education-Research institutions are being improved, teaching upgraded and college and university curricula upgraded. Senior vocational schools and five-year junior colleges are being established or expanded.
Social construction in the last six years has included:
1. Social welfare -The Executive Yuan promulgated in April 1965, “The Social Policy of Min Sheng Chu I for the Current Period”. This has led to progress in social insurance, employment, relief, housing construction, social education and community development.
2. Population - The Executive Yuan has formulated the “Outline of the Population Policy of the Republic of China” on the basis of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s teachings and President Chiang Kai-shek’s instructions.
3. Urban and regional construction - Urbanization plans have been implemented in 113 cities and townships. Regional construction emphasizes development of northern Taiwan, Taichung and the Kaohsiung-Tainan area, industrialization of the Hsinchu-Miaoli area, agricultural development of the Chiayi-Yunlin area and overall development of the Taitung-Hualien area.
4. Public health - Stress is placed on health institutions, environmental sanitation and disease control.
5. Manpower development and utilization - A manpower development plan will expedite economic and social construction.
6. Social stabilization - Emphasis is given improvement of traffic order, crime prevention and fire protection.
Continuing efforts are required in the following fields:
National defense - Modernization of the armed forces, research and ordnance production.
Political construction - Improvement of government system and organization, honest and efficient personnel and augmentation of self-government.
Economic construction - Implementation of plans, public construction, exploitation of natural resources and promotion of international trade.
Culture and education - Development of the cultural renaissance movement, perfection of the nine-year educational program and improvement of science education and research.
Social construction - Progress based on the social policy of Min Sheng Chu I.
International relations - Participation in the activities of international organizations and the promotion of world and regional cooperation.”
Preparations for the 10th Congress were the most intensive in the Party’s history. Acting under instructions of the Central Committee, the Secretary-General placed agenda proposals in the hands of all members and requested comment$ and additional topics. In a circular to members, the Central Committee said: “The world has better understanding of the cruelty and tyranny of the Maoists and of the fact that violent power struggle has pushed the Peiping regime to the brink of destruction. The Party must therefore intensify its efforts to pool the wisdom of its members and defeat Communist cruelty and tyranny through justice and democracy. We should create favorable revolutionary conditions and a good opportunity for counterattacking the Communist regime and reconstructing the nation.”
The Preparatory Committee distributed a document which said in part:
Historically, all KMT National Congresses have been convened at times when the revolutionary situation was changing. The success of the Congress has been favorable to development of the National Revolution. The Tenth KMT National Congress will be no exception.
The Kuomintang is a revolutionary political party of the people that strives for national salvation and emancipation of the Chinese people by all means possible. Since its reformation in 1950, the Kuomintang has shown a willingness and determination to rebuild a free, democratic and modern China. It has made remarkable progress in land reform, economic and educational development and social welfare. In recent years, it has intensified efforts to strengthen its organs, to encourage young talents and to expand social services. However, the Party is by no means satisfied with what it has done in Taiwan. It has said many times that progress on Taiwan will serve as a model for rebuilding the mainland after the Mao regime is defeated and the mainland people liberated from the Communist oppression and tyranny.
The Chinese Communists have occupied the mainland for 19 years and turned it into a hell on earth. Most of the mainland people and large numbers of Communist cadres have now awakened from the nightmare. The increase of discontent and of anti-Mao and anti-Communist activities is in proportion to Maoist persecution and suppression. Since start of the so-called ‘great cultural revolution’, the violent struggle for power, diplomatic isolation, economic bankruptcy and the inhuman treatment of ‘the people have offered the Kuomintang a good opportunity for counterattack.
The KMT decision to convene the National Congress and bring into play the wisdom of the whole Parity is especially meaningful at this time. Because success of the Congress involves China’s future, the organizations and cadres of the KMT of all levels are doing their best in preparing for the Congress. Preparatory work is in accord with the scientific method, democratic procedures and the people’s foundation of the Party.
The Congress will discuss these principal topics:
I. How to accelerate the recovery of the mainland: Particular emphasis will be placed on past political appeals to the mainland people and anti-Communist forces. The whole experience of political warfare against the Peiping regime will be examined in order to formulate a new strategy for national recovery. The construction and progress in Taiwan have greatly strengthened the base for counterattack against the Peiping regime. The Party has formulated policies and programs for government undertakings before, during and after the counterattack. Some of these have been implemented. Today the Mao regime is already doomed to defeat.
“II. Intensification of Party construction in the present stage: Included will be reformation of Party organizations and activities at all levels; transformation of the Party into a modern, constructive organism for combat; in-depth penetration of the masses by the Party stimulating efficiency to make the Party a revolutionary, democratic political force to meet the demands in the Constitutional period. Subtopics will be as follows:
1. Improvement of Party organization at all levels.
2. Reformation of the Party’s leadership style.
3. Ways and means to implement the Party’s policies.
4. Party guidance for government and parliamentary organs.
5. Supervision of Party members who become government officials.
6. Strengthening of the Party’s basic organizations.
7. Coordination of the Party’s organization in Taiwan, overseas and on the mainland.
8. Cadre system improvement.
9. Discipline and controls.
10. Propaganda and education.
11. Social foundation of the Party.
12. Other proposals for Party construction and improvement.
III. Political reform: The Congress will examine government’s achievements in political, military, economic, educational cultural areas to assure continued progress.
IV. Revision of the Party constitution and formulation ‘of the political platform: The objective will be to meet demands arising out of the Party’s development and changes in revolutionary circumstances and goals. Revisions and amendments will be in keeping with the modernization of Party and government. The Congress is expected Ito make stronger appeals for unity of anti-Communist forces everywhere so as to create a more favorable environment for the recovery of the mainland.
V. Social construction in the present stage: The Kuomintang has made tremendous progress in social construction during the last 19 years. Yet there is room for improvement. Specific topics will include social morale, conduct of the people and problems arising from implementation of the land-to-the-tiller and urban land equalization programs. Ways and means for improvement will be sought.
The Preparatory Committee for the 10th National Congress has followed a democratic approach. The Party has only suggested these topics. The detailed agenda will emerge from the collective wisdom of all Party members. The 10th National Congress will be open, democratic and interested in the opinions of every Party member. Since announcement of the Congress, the suggested list of topics has been distributed to basic units for discussion and suggestions. The Preparatory Committee has compiled opinions and suggestions and will submit them to the Congress.
The Preparatory Committee also has invited the leaders of other political parties as well as social, industrial, business and youth leaders to make comments and suggestions. The Kuomintang has been entrusted by the people to take charge of national affairs and believes that the enthusiastic interest of non-members will enrich the National Congress and assist in the attainment of national goals.
The number of the representatives attending the Congress has been increased to accommodate those from all walks of life and at all levels and including the young. Of the 600 representatives, half will come from the free areas of the Republic and the other half from overseas and the mainland.
To make clear the point that all National Congresses have been convened at times of change in the revolutionary situation and that they succeeded in spurring the National Revolution, it is necessary briefly to recount the achievements of past Congresses.
The First National Congress was held on January 20, 1924, in Canton, when the Northern Government was facing collapse. After the Congress, the Party Tsungli, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, published the Outline for National Reconstruction and gave lectures on the Three Principles of the People. He established the Whampoa Military Academy and appointed Chiang Kai-sek as its commandant to train military cadres for the National Revolution. The Manifesto of the First National Congress set forth the situation of China and pointed out that only implementation of the Three Principles of the People could save the country. It urged abolition of the unequal treaties with foreign powers as the Party’s external policy and uniting of the country as the internal policy. It presaged the establishment of National Government.
When the Second National Congress was convened in Canton on January 5, 1926, Dr. Sun Yat-sen had passed away. The Congress accepted Dr. Sun’s last testament and appointed Chiang Kai-shek as the supreme commander-in-·chief of the Northward Expedition that defeated the warlords and united the country.
The Third National Congress was convened in Nanking on March 18, 1929, and began the period of political tutelage. It resolved that the teachings of Dr. Sun Yat-sen would be the supreme principles for the government during the period of political tutelage. It reaffirmed efforts to eliminate all warlord influences, purify the Party and consolidate the achievements of the Northward Expedition.
Two months after the Japanese invasion of China’s Northeastern Provinces, the Kuomintang convened the Fourth National Congress in Nanking on November 12, 1931. It reproached the Japanese for aggression against China’s territorial integrity and set forth the Party’s firm determination to recover the lost territory. It also passed resolutions on the people’s livelihood, on plans for the reconstruction of the border provinces and on plans for national reconstruction during the political tutelage.
The Fifth National Congress was convened in Nanking November 12, 1935. The campaign of Communist suppression had been successful but the militant Japanese were intensifying their aggression. Sino-Japanese relations had deteriorated and the Northern Provinces were in a state of emergency. Chiang Kai-shek told the Congress: ‘We should not give up our efforts for peace when peace is still possible; we should never talk about sacrifice when we are not compelled to sacrifice.’ The Congress urged the country to intensify its efforts for national reconstruction. It declared the Party’s resolution to maintain national independence and equality. It also published the draft of the Chinese Constitution and set the date for convocation of the National Assembly.
In 1937, the Sino-Japanese war broke out. On March 29, 1938, the Kuomintang convened the Extraordinary National Congress in Wuchang. It urged the Chinese people to prepare for a long and total war of resistance against Japanese aggression so as to emerge victorious and undertake the tasks of national reconstruction under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek. It passed resolutions on the establishment of the San Min Chu I Youth Corps, the formulation of the Political Program for the War of Resistance and National Reconstruction and the formation of the People’s Political Council.
The Sixth National Congress was convened on May 5, 1945, when the war in Europe had come to an end and Japanese surrender was only a matter of time. The Congress urged the people in free areas to concentrate their fighting strength so as to drive the aggressors out of China and urged the people living under Japanese occupation to rise up and help the National Army. It planned for national rehabilitation after victory and passed resolutions on the drafting of the Chinese Constitution and the date of the convocation of the National Assembly. It also made decisions on the Chinese Communist problem.
The Seventh National Assembly was convened on October 10, 1952, after the Communists had usurped power on the mainland. The Kuomintang overcame all frustrations and trials and reformed in order to lead the anti-Communist cause. The Congress urged national unity against Communism and passed the KMT’s political platform. ‘A Working Plan for the Period of Struggle Against Communism and Russian Aggression’.
President Chiang Kai-shek asked the Congress to (1) study the lesson of the KMT’s failure on the mainland, (2) study and defeat the enemy, (3) examine the international situation and make necessary adjustments and (4) formulate the strategy for recovery of the mainland and the plans for Kuomintang renaissance in order to accomplish ‘the third phase of the National Revolution.
The Eighth National Congress was held in Taipei October 10, 1957, at a time of dramatic progress by the Party and the military. National morale was surging high and international relations had improved. The Congress called for the uniting of anti-Communist forces at home and abroad to march along the road to national salvation. It urged the people on the mainland to rise up against Communist brutality and tyranny. It passed a resolution on the building up of Taiwan as a San Min Chu I model province.
The Ninth National Congress was convened in Taipei on November 12, 1963, as Taiwan was making great advances in reconstruction, land reform, economic development and local government. Military progress had made Taiwan a stabilizing force in East Asia despite Communist aggression. Diplomacy had enabled the nation to make more friends. The Peiping regime was declining and anti-Communist uprisings on the mainland were increasing.
President Chiang Kai-shek told the Congress that besides military victories, the Party should stand for social, cultural and psychological reconstruction. ‘This is the starting point of building up a new China of San Min Chu I,’ he said.
The manifesto of the Congress reiterated confidence that the Three Principles of the People would prevail over Communism. It pledged the implementation of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s The International Development of China and President Chiang Kai-shek’s Ten-Year National Reconstruction Plan after mainland recovery.
The Congress passed resolutions on the ‘Common Program for Anti-Communist National Reconstruction’ and the establishment of the Anti-Mao United Front for National Salvation to rally the sup port of the Chinese people.
“The 10th National Congress will do no less and therefore will be of decisive significance in the future of the country.”
History judges all men and all movements. The 10th National Congress of the Kuomintang awaits the verdict of the future firm in its faith that it will come to be known as the historic moment when the doom of Mao Tse-tung and Chinese Communism was finally sealed.