President Chiang Kai-shek addressed the opening session, speaking as an "old soldier" who had come to share his experiences in nearly half a century of struggle against the forces that seek to destroy freedom and democracy. He received a standing ovation as the elder stateman and most dedicated of the world's freedom fighters.
The Republic of China awaits the moment of counterattack and national recovery, the President said, and the turmoil in mainland China indicates that the time for action is almost here. He said the formation of the World Anti-Communist League had brought the day of victory much closer.
WACL is an outgrowth of the Asian People's Anti-Communist League, which held its annual conference at the conclusion of the world meeting. APACL was established in Chinese, Korea, in June of 1954 under the sponsorship of Presidents Chiang and Syngman Rhee. Attending that first conference were delegates from China, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Hongkong, Macao, and the Ryukyus.
Ten years ago, attempts were made to establish a world congress. A preliminary meeting was held in Mexico City. But the time was not ripe. Not everyone could agree on how Communism was to be combated.
Leaders of APACL never gave up the idea. Finally, at the 12th conference of APACL in Seoul last November, the resolution to set up WACL was passed and the spade work of accomplishing a wider representation got under way.
APACL had become a misnomer even a decade ago. Australia and New Zealand long have been members. Delegations have been attending from Africa, Europe, and the United States. Many anti-Communist international organizations have sent observers.
APACL chapters conduct active programs. The Freedom Center was established in Korea to train young anti-Communists and place them in the front lines of the struggle. China's chapter has concentrated on charts and books exposing the activities of the Chinese Communists. More than 100 of these have been published over the years, in addition to a monthly periodical.
Other APACL units have similar programs. WACL is expected to pattern some of its activities after those of APACL.
However, WACL differs from APACL in one important respect. It is not necessarily limited to actions at the people's level. Such an organization was in the minds of Presidents Chiang and Rhee at the time APACL was brought into being. But at that time some free governments were hesitant to associate themselves with the anti-Communist movement.
Today, as President Chiang pointed out in his address, the whole world is awakening to the peril posed by the Communists and to the necessity of taking action.
When APACL was established, the Korean War had just ended, the Geneva Conference was dividing Vietnam, and anti-Communism was an unpopular phrase in such countries as the United States, Great Britain, Indonesia, and India. The anti-Communists of APACL were regarded as too far right.
In 1967 the United States is engaged in a sizable war in Vietnam. Indonesia has barely survived a Chinese Communist-directed coup attempt. India again is involved in hot war with Peiping. The Chinese mainland seethes with anti-Communism. American and other leaders are proud to associate themselves with APACL, which has steadfastly supported the U.S. role in Vietnam. The same will now be true of WACL.
The first world anti-Communist conference heard reports from the countries and areas represented. Delegates participated in panel discussions and adopted resolutions and a manifesto outlining a program of action and calling upon the free world to defeat Communism and usher in an epoch of peace and prosperity.
One of the Republic of China's most distinguished visitors of 1967 came in September. He was Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, who made a three-day official visit. Not since 1957, when Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi was in Taiwan briefly, had the administrative chief of the Japanese government come here for discussion with President Chiang Kai-shek.
Japan has not forgotten that although China suffered the most from Japanese military aggression in the 1930s and 40s, the Republic and its Generalissimo were generous victors. China repatriated surrendering Japanese forces without delay and did not ask for reparations. When Japan regained its sovereignty, the Republic of China was among the first to stretch out its hand in a friendship of equals.
The warmth of this relationship was reflected in the two-nation communique at the end of Prime Minister Sato's visit. The two countries agreed to combine their influence to strengthen solidarity among the free states of Asian and Pacific region.
Speaking at the dinner he gave in the Prime Minister's honor, President Chiang proposed that the Republic of China and Japan endeavor to assure that freedom and democracy are returned to the Chinese mainland. He stressed that the peace of Asia and the world depends on ending Chinese Communist tyranny.
Prime Minister Sato did not neglect the nuclear threat posed by the Peiping regime. He called for the renunciation of nuclear power for war and the destruction of nuclear weapons.
As for Japan's policy toward the Chinese Communists, he said he did not foresee any immediate change. That policy is based on separating economics from politics, he said - which means that Japan will continue to trade with Peiping but will eschew any political relationships.
When Japanese newsmen accompanying the Sato group were received by President Chiang, they asked him for a message to the Japanese people. The President said he hoped the Japanese would guard against Communist infiltration and any import of the "Red Guard" madness from the Chinese mainland. He also urged increased Sino-Japanese cooperation.
Vice President C.K. Yen made his semi-annual report to the Legislative Yuan in September.
In reviewing the world situation, the Vice President said that the Republic of China's situation is greatly improved and that the Chinese Communists are increasingly isolated. He said that eve of Peiping's downfall has been reached.
Vice President Yen cited Taiwan's continuing economic gains, including industrial growth of nearly 20 per cent in the first half of 1967. Agricultural growth in the same period was close to 5 per cent. Trade is increasing and in approximate balance. Foreign exchange holdings exceed US$300 million.
The Vice President said all is in readiness for the implementation of the nine-year free compulsory education program next fall.
He discussed government reforms at some length. The government has decided to delegate maximum authority and responsibility to local authorities so as to conserve time and energy for counterattack and national recovery.
Government rules and regulations are being simplified and modernized. Young talents are sought for government service. The Vice President hopes government and armed forces pay can be raised again.
One of the 17 vice presidencies of the United Nations General Assembly went to the Republic of China as the 22nd session opened in New York. The office was accorded by 75 votes, one more than last year. Some delegations friendly to free China were absent, or the total would have been higher.
Foreign Minister Wei Tao-ming was at the U.N. to direct the ROC strategy in combating the Chinese Communists' annual attempt to shoot their way to membership. Last year's vote was 57 to 46 in free China's favor.
As a result of continued foreign aggression and the mainland turmoil of the "great proletarian cultural revolution", Peiping is expected to get fewer votes this year. The Republic of China will receive more. Diplomatic ties recently were established with Malta and Barbados, and are in prospect with Guyana and Trinidad-Tobago.
The only complication was the position of the Arab countries, some of which reportedly thought the Republic of China did not support them against Israel. Free China maintains diplomatic relations with six Arab countries: Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Libya.
Chinese representatives at the United Nations urged restraint on both sides during the Middle Eastern war. Diplomats were sent to Arab countries after the war and to the U.N. session to explain the Republic of China's position.
China and Israel have no diplomatic ties. The Arab feeling of dissatisfaction seemingly arose out of the Republic of China's distaste for the pro-Communist inclinations of the United Arab Republic's Nasser and some of the Syrian leaders.
Another encouraging U.N. sign came from Ghana, which used to be an enthusiastic supporter of Peiping. Ghana announced it would support the continued presence of the Republic of China at the United Nations.
With the free Chinese role growing in South Vietnam, the Communists tried to do something about it.
A huge plastic bomb was set off in the Chinese Embassy at Saigon. Nearly a score of person was injured. Miraculously, no one was killed - largely because Ambassador Hu Lien, against whom the bomb was principally aimed - called a staff conference slightly earlier than usual.
The Embassy information officer was pursued to his home afterward and shot twice. In each case, the attackers were Vietnamese of Chinese descent.
For several years, the Republic of China has been assisting the South Vietnamese in agriculture, industry, and psychological warfare. The Vietnamese armed forces have a high regard for the Chinese officers who serve with them.
Just beginning is a program under which the Republic of China will help with rural pacification. This apparently was the last straw for the Communists, who attacked free Chinese installations and personnel for purposes of intimidation and in the hope that ROC prestige would suffer among the 1,250,000 overseas Chinese of South Vietnam.
Taiwan's economy continued to show Asia's fastest growth pattern. For the first half of 1967, industry gained 19.3 per cent and agriculture 4.6 per cent.
The industrial growth was achieved despite a power shortage resulting from insufficient water to maintain hydroelectric generation at peak level. Leading gainers were PVC powder, 100 per cent; sheet glass, 75 per cent; and tires, iron products, monosodium glutamate, and salt by more than 40 per cent each.
Exports for the January-June period were US$338 million and imports US$500,000 less.
Production of sugar, wheat, and pineapple was down. This was more than offset by agricultural increases for bananas, mushrooms, peanuts, and soybeans. Fisheries and lumber grew by more than 10 per cent.
By industries, mining was up 45 per cent, housing construction 28 per cent, manufacturing 19.4 per cent, and public enterprises 21.6 per cent.
The government is considering establishment of a new industrial district adjoining the Export Processing Zone at Kaohsiung. The area would be nearly 5,000 acres and provide sites for heavy industry, including an integrated steel mill. An international airport would be included in the project, which would cost more than US$40 million.
Per capita income, which is expected to pass the US$200 mark this year, will be raised by as much as 50 per cent during the fifth Four-Year Economic Development Plan from 1969 through 1973. Planners estimate that a level of close to US$300 a year is attainable during the plan, provided economic growth is maintained at 8 per cent annually or higher and population growth is cut to 2.5 per cent.
Foreign investment of overseas Chinese was increased sharply by events in Hongkong and Macao.
For the first seven and a half months of 1967, the amount exceeded US$10.5 million - more than 2 1/2 times the total overseas Chinese investment for all of last year. Textile and building industries topped the list with 14 out of the 84 investments. Other leaders were handicrafts, plastics, electrical appliances, wood products, food processing, chemicals, and paper.
Many Hongkong industries that could not move plants and personnel were establishing Taiwan branches. Hongkong expansion will stop. The surplus capital will come to Taiwan.
Tourism was booming, too. For the first six months of 1967, more than 115,000 visitors came. The total is expected to be about a quarter of a million for the full year with earnings of approximately US$27.5 million. Not included are American servicemen from Vietnam. They are coming to Taiwan for R&R visits at a rate of around 3,000 a month.
Seven years ago, Hongkong had seven times as many tourists as Taiwan. Today's ratio is only 2 to 1. Each Taiwan visitor stays an average of four days.
Further to encourage tourism, the government will assist entrepreneurs in building large hotels. Investment in hostelries has been returned to the government's favored list and qualifies for tax exemptions and other special privileges.
Sponsored by the Sino-American Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction, a demonstration program now under way can increase Taiwan's rice production by nearly a third.
JCRR said the project was begun in 1963 in four small areas. Then it was extended to 116 townships. The area was increased again this year in four years of experimentation and for a total of eight crops, the average gain was from 4,092 kilograms to 5,421 kilograms per hectare. This raised the net income from each hectare by more than US$1,000.
Techniques include the use of newly developed rice varieties that are resistant to disease and responsive to added fertilization and dense planting, improved seedbeds, and pest control.
Another agricultural project of importance will get under way late this year with establishment of the Asian Vegetable Development Center at Hsinshih, Tainan county, in southern Taiwan. Sponsors are the Republic of China, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Ryukyus.
Asians eat only 66 calories daily in fruits and vegetables, compared with 210 in the United States. The Center will enlarge consumption by expanding production.
The Chinese government has pledged more than US$3 1/2 million for support of the Center and provided a site of 116 hectares. Agronomists from leading American universities may act as consultants at the Center for brief periods.
Twelve refugees from a mainland village reached Matsu after stealing a small boat. Chuang Yung-chin, the members of his family, and two neighbors said life had become unbearable. They were compelled to stretch 18 days of food rations over a period of a month. Their clothes were rags.
The boat was sighted by a naval patrol craft and the refugees were taken to Matsu, an offshore island bastion a few miles from the Fukien coast. Help was extended by the Free China Relief Association after the 12, including two women and four children, reached Taiwan.
Chuang said many people are now trying to escape, but that when they are caught, the Communists execute them.
When Vice President C.K. Yen was in Washington last May, President Johnson promised to send his science adviser to Taiwan to help with the Republic of China's scientific development.
Dr. Donald F. Hornig and five fellow-scientists arrived in September for a week's survey visit. The result was expected to be an expansion of science graduate work and research in the universities, additional equipment, and Taiwan teaching assignments for top American scientists.
A hoped-for by-product is curtailment of the brain drain that now robs the Republic of China its best students.
President Johnson is expected to extend an offer of science assistance based on the Hornig mission's assessment of the situation and the requirements.
Preliminary to the mission's arrival, the Chinese government made a detailed survey of Taiwan's scientific status. This information was turned over to Hornig and his colleagues.
Mid-September brought the Moon Festival—China's Thanksgiving. Taiwan had cloudy weather and much of the island didn't see the moon. Prosperity assured a bountiful holiday and all the moon cakes anyone could hope to eat.
The stage was set for the big round of fall celebrations that begin with the Double Tenth National Day, extend through Taiwan Retrocession and Overseas Chinese Days, wind up October with the birthday of President Chiang Kai-shek, and culminate in the November 12 anniversary of the birth of Founding Father Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Ready by next year will be spacious boulevard extending from the international airport to the Presidential Building in downtown Taipei. Existing thoroughfares will be widened and improved. The boulevard will be tree-lined. One stretch on Jen Ai Road will be more than 300 feet wide.
This year's Double Tenth ceremonies will include a rally of more than 200,000 persons in the Presidential Square. The crowd then will break up into units for parades throughout Taipei.