Taiwan Today

President Chiang Ching-kuo called on the nation to keep its powder dry in the face of Peking's determined efforts to destroy the Republic of China.

"We must not feel complacent under the goodwill of our allies or relax our guard before the united front offensive of our enemy," the President said in a speech to the Kuomintang, in his capacity as chairman of the nation's ruling party.

The Kuomintang (KMT), today's governing party, was also the founding party of the Republic of China. It was Dr. Sun Yat-sen's vehicle for the establishment and development of a modern and democratic Chinese nation. It lays its success in the rapid buildup of industry and technology on Taiwan to Sun's philosophical guidelines, the Three Principles of the People.

The President outlined to the KMT current Communist efforts to sow discord within Taiwan and to isolate the Republic of China internationally.

"On the surface, the Chinese Communists are stepping up their peace offensive," Chiang said. But they are also, secretly intensifying their military threat, hoping to take Taiwan by force, he said.

He urged the nation to keep its ranks closed. National interests should override factionalism and other divisions, he said.

Stressing a common revolutionary spirit and morale among KMT members as the basis for accomplishing the nation's missions, President Chiang reviewed their past success and under lined current responsibilities and targets.

During the past year, the 70th founding year of the Republic of China, the President declared, the nation made considerable headway in political stability, economic growth and social harmony. These things resulted, he said, from the people's hard work in joint effort with the government, although the world was affected by economic stagnancy and political disturbance.

In the 87 years of the party's revolutionary history, he said, written with a mixture of high spirits, blood and tears, we have created historic records in political, social and cultural development.

Based on founding-father Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, and by uniting all patriots, the KMT made contributions to national history and development that everyone can see, the President said.

In addition, the KMT has dedicated itself to the Republic of China's and the Chinese people's survival in adversity, he said.

All Chinese people, at home or abroad, he told the KMT, have confidence in the party's leadership for the future of China.

The KMT should redouble its efforts to carry out its responsibility for national development and unification through the Three Principles of the People, he said.

In emulating Dr. Sun's national revolutionary spirit and implementing thoroughly the late Director-General Chiang Kai-shek's last will for mainland recovery, President Chiang said, the party must aim for several targets:

-The KMT is a party for all; it is a democratic revolutionary party and must dedicate itself to all the people and the whole nation.

-All party members should continue to work with perseverance and ignore life's hardships to further spur the nation's fighting spirit in the struggle against the Communists.

- In counterattacking Chinese Communist "peace talk" tactics, de signed to screen the increasing military threat, the nation will strengthen its military defenses and remain on full alert to meet any challenge.

-The party must bind itself close to the people, without regard for provincial or regional origin or party affiliation, keeping its eyes towards the national interest, social harmony and the people's welfare.

We should remember, President Chiang said, that the late Director General Chiang instructed every KMT member to do his best to devote all his ability, wisdom and energy to the development of the party and the nation and to the service of the people.

Meanwhile, the President said, the nation should apply past experience to present economic problems to expedite development.

Following a report on the current domestic economic situation from the chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, the President commented that both policymakers and the business community should jointly map out future plans to gradually bring the nation's industry to a higher level.

The President said such future plans should be coordinated with the nation's new four-year economic plan (1982-85) which, he said, is designed to raise the balanced productivity of the economy.

The President noted the nation's new agreement with Japan on cooperation in science and technology and called for earnest study of the Japanese experience in scientific and technological development.

President Chiang said government expenditures on public projects in the fiscal year starting July will be curtailed to release resources to the private sector.

He called on the private sector to develop industries which have the long term potential to insure sustained growth in the nation's economy.

Meeting people's needs

The Republic of China has conclusively demonstrated that its attainments on Taiwan have not only met the needs of the Chinese people, but are in accord with their culture, Premier Sun Yun suan told the legislature in a summary report on his administration.

Addressing the opening of the 69th session of the Legislative Yuan, the Premier noted that in 1981, the legislature received and acted upon a record number of proposals to cope with "a troublesome and difficult year."

"Even so, under the wise leadership of the President and as a result of the nation's unity and hard work," he continued, "we faced one challenge after another" and overcame substantial difficulties. He went on to list accomplishments in domestic and external affairs, and then laid down guidelines for current administrative efforts based on President Chiang Ching-kuo's New Year's Day message:

• "Reinforce democratic constitutional rule, consolidate the base for our rule of law, rectify political tendencies, carry out administrative renovation and uplift the spiritual life of the people."

• "Remain firmly in the democratic camp, reinforce friendly relations with democratic countries, promote economic and technological cooperation so as to expand the functions of total diplomacy, vigorously bring friendly nations to our side and elevate our position in the world."

• "Augment the combat capability of the armed forces so as to secure our bastion, accelerate development of national defense industry, spare no effort to modernize weaponry and military equipment, expand our activities of political counterattack and prepare for timely action to recover the mainland."

• "Ameliorate the difficulties of business and industry by every possible means under the principle of promoting economic growth and stability, mean while accelerating readjustment of the structure of agricultural and industrial production so as to upgrade the economy expeditiously."

• "Promote social welfare, step up grassroots improvement and push for ward activities of public health and environmental protection so as to build a modern society of peace, harmony, happiness and prosperity."

The Premier said that the Executive Yuan would itself supervise efforts towards nine priority objectives:

• Grassroots agricultural reconstruction to raise farm income.
• Higher development of science and technology.
• Strengthening of cultural development and improvement of spiritual life.
• Accelerated development of the automotive industry.
• Furtherance of plans for automation of production.
• Development of the information processing industry.
• Initiation of higher technology exports.
• Expedited improvement of scenic areas to encourage tourism.
• Utilization of Taiwan's geographic assets to capitalize on the new World Trade Center and on expansion of Kaohsiung and Taichung port to transform the country into an important international center for business, trade, goods storage, transportation and tourism.

"To sum up," he said, "the principal goal of government administration is to promote national prosperity and wealth, welfare, cultural development and the people's happiness while completing preparations for extending the fruit of our development to the mainland."

Noting the drastic changes in the world situation, Sun told the legislators that there are "encouraging signs" in the midst of the turbulence:

"The U.S.-Soviet relationship re mains the focus of world politics and its development is the crux of the world situation ... President Reagan's fortitude and courage and his tactics of confrontation, deterrence and negotiation to suppress Soviet expansionism have helped to alert the democratic nations to the danger of Communism."

But, said Sun, appeasement is still loose in the free world and illusions are a trap for the unwary. "(Some free nations) are blind to the fact that Peking and Moscow are two peas in the same pod and that the basic goals of both are to Communize the world and enslave humankind."

He warned free countries to stop trying to play Peking off against Moscow, because while confronting one, the other circles to attack from the back.

The Premier condemned the Soviet-instigated suppression of Poland, and noted threats to world peace in other sections of the world.

Turning to mainland China, he stated that, "the struggle over line and power are continuing to intensify and may never be resolved.

"After being defrauded and persecuted for 32 years, millions upon millions of mainland compatriots have engendered the 'triple crisis of faith, belief and credibility,' and have gradually raised an anti-Communist wave of struggle for human rights, democracy and freedom. Intelligence reports from behind the enemy lines and foreign wire service reports indicate that mainland anti-Communist activities have grown from the few to the many so rapidly as to constitute a grave threat to the Communist regime."

In order to divert attention and alleviate internal pressure, the Peking regime initiated a new "peaceful united front campaign in an attempt to isolate the ROC and lay it open to invasion, Sun said. He said that the ROC must expose this subterfuge and gain world under standing and support in order to safe guard its international position.

In this connection, the Premier ex pressed deep disappointment that the U.S. has not decided to supply advanced jet fighters to the ROC. "We hope sincerely that the United States will abide by the Taiwan Relations Act and, continuously observing the military situation in the Taiwan Straits, will supply us with the sophisticated weapons necessary to maintain the position of defensive strength required In assuring the stability and security of the Western Pacific," he said.

The Premier noted expanded economic and cultural relations with the countries of Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Mentioning his recent meeting with President Suharto and other Indonesian government leaders, he described the growing strength of the ROC's friendships with Asian and Pacific countries.

He made special mention of the effective support of overseas Chinese communities, and referred to the 40,000 overseas Chinese that Visited Taiwan last October for the ROC's 70th birthday celebration.

Expressing pride in the process of recent elections Sun told the legislators, "Democracy and the rule of law are the shining milestones of Chinese constitutional rule and elections are the best yardstick for measuring democracy and the rule of law."

"Election officials fulfilled their responsibilities impartially and reasonably. Voters made reasoned choices. These fair, impartial and open elections attest that the government has taken a giant step along the thoroughfare of democracy, " he said.

Pointing to rising living standards and the changing social structure, he said that the people are increasing their demands for "quality service and raising their expectations of government."

"It is our responsibility to fulfill the requirements of the people with innovative concepts and active programs. In particular, we must make use of the scientific method and uphold the spirit of research and development," he said.

"Obviously, our independent and self-reliant struggle is being waged not only for today but also for tomorrow, not only to strengthen our bastion of national revival but also to utilize the experience of reconstructing Taiwan as the blueprint for tomorrow's reconstruction of the mainland," he declared.

"We have conclusively demonstrated," he said, "that construction based on the (democratic government Guidelines) Three Principles of the People here in our bastion of national revival can meet the livelihood needs of the Chinese people and is in accord with their cultural spirit".

As a result, he said, the spirit of vigor is found everywhere in Taiwan. "All the people have expressed a vigorous and dauntless spirit; all are zealous and openly optimistic about the future of the country," he said.

Support for U.S. sanctions

Premier Sun Yun-suan, stating that the Republic of China fully supports U.S. sanctions against the Soviet Union for its role in the military crackdown in Poland, called on the U.S. and other free nations to support all oppressed peoples in their fight for freedom.

Addressing a World Freedom Day rally, the Premier said those who cherish freedom must realize that all Communists are enemies of freedom.

Non-Communist countries must discard the illusion they can compromise basic matters with Communist regimes, Sun said.

"It is our hope that those who cherish freedom will support not only the heroic actions of the Polish people in their fight to shake off Communist tyranny, but also all anti-Communist and anti-slavery struggles for freedom and human rights behind the Iron Curtain," he said.

Describing Communist regimes as "birds of a feather," Sun said the attempt to recruit Red China in the fight against Soviet expansionism is "resisting the tiger at the front door while letting the wolf in at the back door."

The threat posed by Communist expansionism is global, the Premier pointed out. Therefore, the non-Communist world should stick together.

Commenting on Red China, the Premier noted that Communism has resulted in economic backwardness, cease less political struggles and social chaos.

Recent defections of mainland intellectuals in Europe, Japan and the United States indicate that the mainland Chinese have rejected Communism, Sun said.

Free nations should not be misled by Peking's "peace overtures" to the Republic of China, he said, since these are part of a plot aimed primarily at isolating Free China.

Underlining Sun's remark that Communist regimes are "birds of a feather," Peking tipped its hand on the Polish military crackdown, spurning U.S. appeals for sanctions and increasing trade with Poland by 30 percent.

Red China at first maintained a non-commital attitude toward President Reagan's call for sanctions against Poland. Then it signed a new (982 trade protocol with Warsaw boosting trade to US$140 million. "I suppose this is the answer to Reagan," UPI reported a West European diplomat as saying.

Red China will provide foodstuffs, textiles and consumer items to Poland in exchange for chemicals, steel products and raw materials, said an East European diplomat with access to the Sino-Polish trade negotiations.

Diplomats said mainland China's increased trade with Poland was a clear signal of Peking's stand on the military crackdown, a symbol of hard-line Communist unity.

Peking confirmed that the protocol was signed, but neither the "foreign ministry" nor the "foreign trade" ministry was willing to provide further details.

The East European diplomat who disclosed details of the protocol said trade in 1982 would be up "25 or 30 per cent" over 1981, when it stood at 200 million Swiss francs (US$108 million).

"It is not excluded that during the year there will be more agreements signed" in addition to the protocol, he said.

The West European diplomat said the trade deal was the first concrete signal that mainland China supported the Polish government's attempt to stamp out Solidarity and restore total Communist Party control.

ROC policies firm

The Republic of China will work to strengthen its foreign ties in 1982 and will not alter its position of refusing to negotiate with the Communists on main land China, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

Vice Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien told the Associated Press that the Republic of China is willing to extend cooperation to any friendly country, with or without diplomatic relations, in terms of agricultural, fishery and technical development.

The number two man in the Foreign Ministry said that in 1982 the ROC will try to upgrade its trade ties with Europe, strive for improved relations with the United States, increase technical cooperation with African nations and in crease bilateral trade with Latin America.

He also said that the ROC will redouble efforts to strengthen substantive ties with its Asian neighbors, enhance cooperation with Australia and New Zealand and consolidate its contacts with the Middle East.

Chien said that the Republic of  China, which now has diplomatic ties with 23 countries, will work to better unofficial relations with non-Communist countries with which it has no official relations.

The U.S. educated Chien said relations with the United States during 1981 had shown little substantial change, so they can be improved.

He noted that President Chiang Ching-kuo thinks (U.S. President Ronald) Reagan is a man of courage with a broad knowledge of Communist practices.

Chien said that the United States is a big nation and its government has many affairs to handle. Therefore, he said, we should be patient and enduring in our approach for improvement of ties.

The United States had expressed its intention to renew the ties broken off when Washington and Peking establish relations two years ago, and John H. Holdridge, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, also con firmed it at a press conference, Chien recalled.

"We believe the Republic of China and the United States have many things in common, including ideals and convictions." Under such circumstances, there is no reason why we can not keep on improving our relations, he said.

Chien pointed out that the ROC faced difficulties in some international dealings because it did not retain its memberships in some international organizations, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

He also noted the cutting of formal diplomatic ties "with many major countries, such as the United States, Japan and West European nations, resulting in some disadvantage in our foreign affairs operation."

But Chien said the Republic of China is able to playa meaningful role in the international community since its foreign trade rose to more than US$45 billion in 1981, ranking the ROC 16th in the world.

The nation would be 8th-ranked in foreign trade if the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were excluded from the exporters list, he said.

He said that the Republic of China has become the third leading trading partner with the European community, with an annual bilateral trade growth ranking between 20 and 25 percent.

The Republic of China plans to' look for machinery and equipment in West European countries to increase its production of high-quality products and bring about a transfer from labor intensive to technology-intensive and sophisticated industries, he said.

He repeated the ROC position that it will not contact, negotiate or compromise with the Communist regime in Peking.

"We are not foolish enough to fall into the Communist trap in their deceptive calls for peace talks and peaceful reunification of China."

He said that Peking's nine-point "proposal" for reunification made last September was a maneuver to force Taiwan's surrender.

Chien said that under its plan Peking would become the central government, while the Republic of China would be reduced to a province.

"We must stress that among the one billion population in mainland China, only 30 million Communist officials and cadres are our enemies. The rest of the Chinese people are our brothers and sisters, and we have no hostility or hatred against them, " he said.

Teng can't save system

Dr. James Soong, director general of the Government Information Office, said February 12 that the solution of today's Communist problems does not lie in Teng Hsiao-ping's retreat to a "second line" but in Communist admission of their mistakes and the return of political power to the Chinese people for the settlement of China's future.

He referred to statements in an editorial of People's Daily, Peking's mouthpiece, that the people of the main land have doubts about their future under Communist rule and may be preparing to scrap the Communist system and leaders.

Addressing a seminar of government personnel awaiting overseas assignments, he noted that Communist dooms day is approaching.

Analyzing the editorial, which was carried by wire services February 9, Dr. Soong said: "The Chinese Communists have been making a backward, poverty-stricken mess of the mainland for more than 30 years. The Communist system does not answer the needs of the people.

"One power struggle has succeeded another, and heads roll each time when the Communists wield the axe. The loser is always the Chinese people.

"Teng Hsiao-ping seized power four years ago and advocated the 'four modernizations.' With that movement a complete failure, the Communists are moving from one 'movement' and one 'reform' to another, all without result. It is the system that is at fault.

Salvation of mainland lies in withdrawal a whole Communist Party' to a "second line ...

We have seen that the Western advocacies of 'protecting Mao Tse-tung and Chou En-lai' were mere empty slogans. Now it is the same with Teng. There is no retreating to a 'second line' to save Chinese Communism. Nor can a younger generation of Communist chieftains do better.

"Shifting of responsibility to the 'gang of four' is a futile gesture. If the Chinese Communists truly wish to serve the people, they will shoulder the political and moral responsibility for these endless mistakes of the past."

The salvation of the mainland people, Dr. Soong said, lies in the withdrawal of the whole Communist party to a "second line, if they wish to call it that" - while the Republic of China and the people of Taiwan provide the system required by all the Chinese.

"Our experience in implementing constitutional rule based on the Three Principles of the People can transform the mainland into a truly free, democratic and prosperous land based on the Taiwan - Penghu -Kinmen-Matsu model," he concluded.