Premier Chiang Ching-kuo is elected President and Governor Shieh Tung-min Vice President of the ROC in a remarkable expression of democratic and constitutional unity
Members of the National Assembly, carrying out their electoral college function in the name the people of the Republic of China for the sixth time, elected Premier Chiang Ching-kuo President of the Republic and Taiwan Governor Shieh Tung-min Vice President at the Chung-shan Hall atop Yangmingshan in the northern suburbs of Taipei. The presidential election was carried out March 21 and the vice presidential election on March 22.
Premier Chiang and Governor Shieh were nominated by the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) and were unopposed. Out of deference to the prominence and popularity of the candidates, the opposition Young China Party and Democratic Socialist Party did not put up candidates. Votes were counted publicly and the results announced by four members of the Presidium at the Taipei City Auditorium.
President Yen Chia-kan will step down from the nation's highest office and Premier Chiang Ching-kuo will be sworn in at Taipei ceremonies May 20. Governor Shieh will take office at the same time. There is no incumbent Vice President. Yen Chia-kan was Vice President until the death of President Chiang Kai-shek April 5, 1975. He is the first President of the Republic to choose retirement. He announced in December that he would not seek election this year and urged the Kuomintang to nominate Chiang Ching-kuo as his successor.
President-elect Chiang Ching-kuo is the elder son of the late President Chiang Kai-shek and one of the most popular statesmen in the history of China. Before his nomination, thousands of letters poured into the Kuomintang seconding the choice of President Yen. After his formal Kuomintang endorsement, the National Assembly received a new flood of letters urging his election. A brief profile of Premier Chiang follows this article.
Governor Shieh is the first Taiwan-born states man to occupy the vice presidency. He was recommended to the Kuomintang by Premier Chiang and received the unanimous approval of the party's Standing Committee. A brief profile of Governor Shieh follows the article about Premier Chiang.
The election session of the National Assembly lasted for 35 days. This unique electoral and parliamentary organ of the Republic of China holds plenary meetings every six years to choose the President and Vice President of the Republic. Party endorsement is not an absolute requirement for nomination. Any citizen at least 40 years old receiving the endorsement of 100 Assemblymen becomes a candidate. In practice, the party approach to election has been followed and the Kuomintang, China's majority party, has supplied the successful candidates. The Assembly also is assigned the functions of recalling President or Vice President, amending the Constitution and considering constitutional amendments submitted by the Legislative Yuan. The "parliament" of the Republic of China includes the Assembly, the Legislative Yuan and the Control Yuan.
Under the Constitution as adopted by the Constitutional Assembly December 25, 1946, Presidents and Vice Presidents were limited to two terms. That restriction was waived by Temporary Provisions adopted by the Assembly in 1966 for the period of the Communist rebellion.
The National Assembly chosen in free secret balloting throughout the Chinese mainland in November of 1947 held its first plenary session at Nanking on March of 1948. Chiang Kai-shek was elected as the first President of the Republic and Li Tsung-jen, subsequently recalled for violation of law and dereliction of duty, was named Vice President. The second plenary session took place in Taipei in 1954. President Chiang was re-elected President and Chen Cheng was named Vice President. The third, fourth and fifth meetings (1960, 1966 and 1972) also re-elected President Chiang. Vice President Chen died in 1965, and Yen Chia-kan was elected Vice President in 1966 and re-elected in 1972.
The Communist rebellion has prevented all China election of a new National Assembly. However, a 1966 amendment of the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion authorized the President to order elections to fill offices which had become vacant for legitimate reasons or to provide additional representatives because of population increases in areas under government, control. This amendment made possible a partial election in the Taiwan district in December of 1969. Fifteen new members were sent to the National Assembly: 9 from Taiwan and 6 from the Special Municipality of Taipei.
In 1972, President Chiang Kai-shek promulgated Regulations Governing the Election of Additional Members to Elective Offices on the Central Governmental Level in the Free District During the Period of Mobilization Against Communist Rebellion. Fifty-three additional members were elected to the National Assembly. These members will serve ordinary six-year terms. Only Assemblymen elected on the mainland will serve until election and convocation of the Second National Assembly.
The sixth plenary session of the National Assembly opened at Chungshan Hall, February 19 with 1,203 members in attendance. President Yen Chia-kan gave the opening address (for the text, see Documents department). Dr. Ku Cheng-kang was in the chair. Premier Chiang Ching-kuo was present along with other leading government officials. The diplomats present included Ambassador Leonard Unger of the United States. Dr. Ku said this meeting would be of great historic significance. "In the earnest pursuance of President Chiang Kai-shek's will," he said, "we must protect the integrity and dignity of the Constitution and take it back to the mainland to all of the people.'' In the afternoon, members traveled to Tzuhu to pay tribute at the sarcophagus of President Chiang.
On February 27, the Assembly held its first business meeting and approved an agenda calling for announcement of presidential candidates on March 18 and election on March 21. Vice presidential nominations were set for March 19 and the election for March 22. Kuo Cheng of the Kuomintang was named secretary general and Hsia Erh-kang of the Young China Party and Huang Meng-kang of the Democratic Socialist Party deputy secretary generals. Eight committees were sanctioned for the study of questions involving the Constitution, national defense, foreign affairs, economy, social affairs, education and culture, administration and overseas Chinese affairs.
The second regular session heard from Premier Chiang Ching-kuo, who said the idea of an independent Taiwan is an absurdity and pretext "fabricated for a Chinese Communist invasion of Taiwan." He said "Taiwan has always been the territory of the Republic of China and is now the bastion of national revival. Only when the task of anti-Communism and national recovery is completed can Taiwan enjoy permanent security, freedom and well-being." (The text of Premier Chiang's address will be found in the Documents department.)
Dr. Ku Cheng-kang, deputy chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Research, reported on the committee's work during the last six years. Discussions have taken place on 244 topics. Huang Shao-ku, secretary general of the National Security Council, reported on the work of that agency. Further reports were heard at the third meeting March 3. Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan said all friendly foreigners are welcome to visit the Republic of China, including those who have been to the Chinese mainland. Comparison is welcomed, he said. He reported the government has set up two new embassies, three consulate generals, seven consulates and 30 other missions abroad in the last six years. The Republic of China holds membership in 252 international organizations. Admiral Soong Chang-chih, chief of the general staff, said that production of armaments will be expanded. Advanced technology and equipment are being imported, he said.
On March 8, Assemblymen began their familiarization tour of the province, including off shore islands as well as Taiwan. They inspected the Ten Major Construction Projects and visited servicemen at bases on the frontlines and in rear areas. On behalf of the Assembly's Presidium of 85 members, General Ho Ying-ehin presented a check for NT$2,508,000 to General Kao Kuei-yuan, minister of national defense, for the men and women of the armed forces.
Nomination and endorsement of candidates for President took place from March 11 through 16 and of candidates for Vice President from March 12 through 17. Each member was entitled to endorse one candidate for each office. Nomination and candidacy required 100 endorsements. Printed nomination papers were distributed by the secretariat. The member had only to write in the name of his candidate and sign his name.
More than 250 proposals were discussed at various meetings of the Assembly. Subjects included mainland recovery, construction, communications, cultural affairs and many others. These recommendations were sent to the government for further study and action. One suggestion was that more American leaders be invited to visit the Republic of China and learn first-hand of free Chinese accomplishments and aspirations. In the past, various administrative and legislative programs have grown out of National Assembly proposals.
As presidential nominations closed March 17, nearly 1,200 of the 1,219 members who finally registered for the session had endorsed Premier Chiang Ching-kuo for President. No other names were submitted in nomination. The Assemblymen signed their names in 77 different groups. The vice presidential nominations closed the following day with 1,045 members recommending Governor Shieh Tung-min. No one else was nominated.
President Yen Chia-kan invited National Assembly members to luncheon March 17. He told them that Premier Chiang Ching-kuo and Governor Shieh were the best possible choices to lead the nation during the next six years. He credited the Assembly with having carried out the will of the people and with demonstrating unshakeable unity. Premier Chiang, who attended the luncheon together with Governor Shieh, told Assemblymen he would dedicate his life, his knowledge and his every effort to the nation and the people under the guidance of the National Assembly. He paid tribute to President Yen for long and unselfish service to the nation. "I have learned much from President Yen,” he said, and asked Assemblymen to continue counseling him. He said their recommendations and their visits to economic projects and the armed forces had raised the nation's morale.
Assemblymen resolved to send a cable of respect to Madame Chiang Kai-shek, who is under going medical treatment in New York. They expressed hope she soon will be well enough to return home.
The election of President began at 10. a.m. March 21. Each member cast his ballot as his name was called. This took about an hour and a half. Ballot counting began after a 30-minute recess. Results were announced immediately and then conveyed to the people and the nation. The same procedure was repeated for election of the Vice President on March 22. The National Assembly session was concluded March 25 after the presentation of certificates of election to the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
Firecrackers exploded and people congratulated each other on a wise choice. The celebration was restrained, however, in keeping with the wishes of the National Assembly and the candidates themselves. Both Premier Chiang and Governor Shieh told the nation that elections are only the beginning. Hard work lies ahead to keep the nation strong and to make progress toward the defeat of Communism and the healing of the schism that has been visited on China since 1949.
The National Assembly had held some of its deliberations at the same time the Communist "people's congress" was meeting in mainland China. The two meetings presented a striking contrast. Delegates to the mainland meeting were handpicked by the Communist party leaders from lists of safe party members. They were elected by no one; they represented no one; and they did precisely as they were told. There were no secret ballots. Votes were taken by a show of hands. Some members were removed under mysterious circumstances, possibly because of identification with the "gang of four."
Although their election was not in doubt, Premier Chiang and Governor Shieh paid Assemblymen the compliment of campaigning for office. The members, who were freely chosen by the people of China, could have nominated and elected anyone they wished. They were not bound by the recommendations of the Kuomintang. They could have chosen a member of an opposition party or an independent. Avowedly independent candidates did well in last year's local elections.
The National Assembly session and the first election since the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek was a convincing indication of the free and democratic electoral processes which will come into play on the mainland when the temporary tragedy of Communism has come to an end.
As he left Tzuhu in May of 1975, Chiang Ching-kuo wrote: "In keeping my vigil beside Father's sarcophagus, I have been attending him night and day, just as I did before his passing. I wish I could stay here by Father's side for the rest of my life and thereby fulfill my filial duty. But because of the crisis facing the nation and the heavy responsibilities resting on my shoulders, I must leave Tzuhu for the time being, determined that 'bearing my grief inwardly, I shall exert myself with utmost dedication in order to bring the great national task to a successful conclusion.'
"I realize that the road ahead is long and inevitably full of twists and turns and beset with difficulties. In carrying out my great task, I have no alternative except to follow Father's instructions and struggle ahead without let or negligence. I am therefore resolved to be loyal to the nation, to sacrifice for the party and to serve the people in the spirit of seeking survival in the face of death. In so doing I shall repay Father for his benevolence and console his soul in heaven. Only by working hard and doing my work well may I perhaps alleviate some of the sorrow in my heart. The only way in which I can even partially live up to the ardent expectations of compatriots and fellow party members is to dedicate myself and do my utmost."
As the next President of the Republic of China, Chiang Ching-kuo is about to submit himself to the supreme test and make the greatest sacrifice of his career. His life is no longer his own. It has been given over to the people in memory of his father and for the purpose of completing his father's unfinished tasks.
This was how his responsibilities looked to one of Taipei's leading journals in its Election Day salute to President-elect Chiang:
Election of Premier Chiang Ching-kuo as the President-elect of the Republic of China comes as no surprise.
This is the will of the people and the nation. The overseas Chinese communities have expressed overwhelming approval. If people of the Chinese mainland could speak out, they would do likewise. The nation has received a fair sampling of all China opinion despite the attempt of the Communists to suppress communication.
Chiang Ching-kuo has achieved a level of popularity rarely known in China.
Of course, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and President Chiang Kai-shek had the love and almost the reverence of the people. They were among the great men of the ages and towered over most other leaders of this century.
The fact that our President-to-be is intensely human does not subtract from his genius.
He has done everything and seen everything. He is wise in the ways of the world and yet has retained his idealism. He is mature and yet has retained his simplicity.
People like him because he is one of them, and yet he stands above the crowd.
When his father died, Premier Chiang went among the people queued up at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Only after he comforted them did he take his own grief to the sarcophagus at Tzuhu.
There, beside the mortal remains of a great man and a beloved father, he sat through the lonely nights contemplating the obligation to people and country that his father had willed him.
Chiang Ching-kuo is man of many parts, a leader of much more than outstanding ability. He has depth, imagination and resolute dedication. He may become a man of destiny to rank with his father and the Founding Father.
President Yen Chia-kan will retire to a well-earned rest in less than two months. Chiang Ching-kuo's hand will be on the helm and the country will be embarked upon what some of our people have described as the "second Chiang era."
It would be nearly impossible to exaggerate difficulty of the problems and challenges facing the Republic of China under its new leader.
The Republic of China still confronts the danger of continued U.S. efforts to "normalize relations" with the Chinese Communists. Premier Chiang has not attempted to conceal the gravity of the threat.
"Normalization" would open a road which cannot be wholly foreseen. It has never been traveled, and all of us hope that it will never have to be.
Premier Chiang has warned us and the American nation and people that war would be an almost inevitable result. It is a conflict for which we must be ready.
But there is at least an even chance that Chiang Ching-kuo will be able to make a greater impact on the thinking of American statesmen than has been possible so far. He has made many friends in high place over the last few decades. American statesmen and military commanders trust him. If anyone can persuade the United States not to make the tragic mistake of recognizing the Chinese Communists, he is the man.
As Premier, Chiang Ching-kuo has been principally responsible for the Ten Major Construction Projects. He has presided over an economy which prospered in consequence of his policy of growth with stability and stability with growth.
He carried on economically what his father began after the government withdrew to Taiwan. The living standard of this province is the highest in Chinese history. Taiwan has been made the model for the free China of the future. To reach our goal, the economy must be managed so that it continues to thrive, even if international developments are unfavorable.
As President, Chiang Ching-kuo will be busier than ever before. He will need to cultivate and refine his keen perception of people and ability to choose able subordinates. He will find need to delegate more authority and probably will have to curtail his much-loved expeditions to the countryside.
Maybe other ways can be found to keep in close touch with the people. One such might be televised press conferences. That is a technique which he has not yet applied, but he could meet millions of people that way compared with hundreds on his week-end outings.
He will have to watch his weight, his health and his energy. The job of being chief executive is the hardest in the world. Fortunately, Chiang Ching-kuo puts service ahead of power. He never wanted to be President in order to augment his authority, but only to serve the people and make China whole again.
The approval of Premier Chiang which comes from the mainland is a tribute to his insistence that no compromises be made with the Communist.
People on the mainland want liberation, not negotiation. They are preparing to strike their own blow for their own freedom. The continued alternative of the Republic of China and the existence of a free Taiwan is of the utmost consequence to their aspiration.
Chiang Ching-kuo has been concerned about freedom with responsibility. He has strongly supported an expanded electoral exercise for Taiwan. He has also mitigated Taiwanese-mainlander differences to a point where most people care much less about provincial origin than in times past.
His choice of Taiwan-born Governor Shieh Tung-min as his running mate is only one evidence of his feelings for the people of this province. Many of his best appointments to high position have gone to Taiwan leaders.
The National Assembly has made its only possible choice for the presidency. All of us hope that means the beginning of a new China era rather than a Chiang era. If anyone can bring that to pass it is Chiang Ching-kuo. He won the highest office within our power to give not because he is the son of his father, but because he has richly earned it.