Before leaving the premiership, Chiang Ching-kuo made an appearance at the annual convention of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen and praised the nation's former fighting men for giving their blood and sweat to the nation. He said he had met retired servicemen in every comer of the island and found them working hard and showing team spirit.
Because of the efforts of veterans, he said, many of the nation's construction projects have been completed ahead of schedule and others are going well.
Among the qualities the new President most admires in ex-servicemen are loyalty to President Chiang Kai-shek, cooperation with each other, self-discipline and creative spirit.
Their construction has not been confined to the home front, he said, but has been extended to many enterprises overseas.
VACRS has made major contributions in promoting friendship and good feelings between the Republic of China and other countries, Chiang Ching-kuo said, and the nation has reason to be proud of the veterans and their organization.
In an article, the new President told of the many sleepless nights he has spent thinking of his late father, President Chiang Kai-shek, in the last three years.
Quoting Mencius to the effect that "the most filial sons miss their parents for the rest of their lives," Chiang Ching-kuo said he had lived “in deepest grief” since the passing of his father.
Writing on "Filial Thoughts of My Father," he promised that in the future "I shall exemplify a spirit of sacrifice and devotion in undertaking struggles for the country and the party."
The full text follows:
My Father passed away three years ago. I have lived in deepest grief for these past three years. They are the longest days in my life.
I cannot even recall how many evenings I have sat alone on the steps of my courtyard thinking of Father for so long and so profoundly that I subsequently could not fall asleep. I cannot remember how many nights I woke from my dreams and vaguely saw my Father beckoning to me and consoling me as though he were still alive. I cannot recall how many times I have looked at and touched the objects in my Father's room - his brushes, inkstone, cottonpadded gowns and quilts. At such times, I felt in my heart the warm affection of my father and also a grief beyond control.
Especially, the bedroom and wooden bed have given me the deepest sorrow. When Father was ill and lay abed, he used to hold my hand and we looked at each other in silence. Sometimes Father would talk to me casually, and other times he would recite verses before we had a brief talk. Then he would go to sleep for a while and was content to find me there when he opened his eyes. I understood what he meant when he smiled and nodded at me. When I was a child, I used to hear Father talking about parental affection and kindness. He used to say, "As the kindness of parents is as endless as the sky, one feels sadness when he sees something related to this." At the time, I could not understand his meaning. Today, as I recall Father holding my hand during his illness, I know I can never forget it and I have come to know that remembering one's parent who has passed on is the greatest grief in the world.
Mencius said: "The most filial sons miss their parents for the rest of their lives." After Father's passing, I indulged in introspection and regretted that my insufficient contributions to the country and party showed how inadequately I had measured up to my Father's instructions. As I have grown older, my patriotism has increased with the years. Although I remained in mourning during these last three years, my sorrow in thinking of my parents has not been mitigated. Fortunately, I can have Mother's instructions from time to time and this has given me some relief from my feelings of guilt. Father said: "In filial piety, respect for parents comes first and not doing anything to shame them comes second. The first point implies the development and glorification of the traditions handed down from our ancestors and Huang Ti (legendary founder of Chinese nation); the second point warns us against mistakes that could humiliate our parents." For the future, I shall exemplify a spirit of sacrifice and devotion in undertaking struggles for the country and the party as I strive toward the goal of "developing and glorifying the traditions of our ancestors and Huang Ti, so that I shall not make any mistakes that could humiliate my parents." In my lifetime, I shall be always alert to this guidance and live up to the significance of the guideline that "the most filial sons miss their parents for the rest of their lives."
There is a poem by Han Yin of the Han dynasty reflecting the distress of sons who can no longer support their parents: "As the wind does not subside, the trees are not still; the sons wish to care for their parents, but the parents are no longer there." The distress of filial sons is truly unbearable. Since my Father's passing, I have written "Thoughts About My Father at Tzuhu;" "Thoughts of My Father at Plum Terrace;" "The Leader, Kind Father and Strict Teacher;" and "As Firm as a Rock" to memorialize my Father. I have compiled these in a single volume and on the third anniversary of Father's passing shall present it to my relatives and friends to illustrate my thoughts as a son.
The United States should not try to dictate or impose a settlement of the China problem, which is a dispute between the Chinese them selves, Ronald Reagan, former governor of California, said in Taipei.
Reagan opposed abrogation of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty Of U.S. derecognization of the Republic of China and said the status quo is the best answer to the problem.
"Every recent poll in the United States reveals American citizens oppose treaty abrogation or the ending of diplomatic relations here," he said.
In a democratic system, the administrators must heed the opinion of the majority. Therefore, the U.S. policy on the China problem should remain unchanged, he suggested.
He also expressed disagreement with President Carter's forecast that "normalization will be accomplished over a period of months."
Asked if he will run for the 1980 Republican nomination for president, the Californian, who lost out to Gerald Ford in 1976, said it is still too early to say.
"But I won't close the book on it," he added. Reagan told an audience of 300 business leaders that the realities of American politics are such that the U.S. government will not be persuaded to move any closer toward so-called "normalization" this year.
"After all, we have Congressional elections this November and elected representatives do not like to have to answer for unpopular policies," he said.
"Depending upon the outcome of that election, though, I think you can expect the advocates of 'normalization' to begin raising the same arguments again next year that they raised before, perhaps with an even greater sense of urgency and restlessness," he said.
"As you move ahead here, you have chosen wise leaders to continue the building of your society. I offer my congratulations to the people of the Republic of China and to Chiang Ching-kuo and Shieh Tung-min.
"One of the best guarantees of your continued freedom to guide your own course is the very close business and trade ties you have developed with the United States. These ties have led to deep, long-lasting personal friendships as well. Both the trade and personal ties stand as a bulwark against sudden changes in the relationship between our two countries. That is good, for nothing must be done that tears asunder the friendship between us that has been built on the highest of human ideals."
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Reagan are greeted by Koo Chen-fu, Industry and Commerce Association chief, and Mrs. Koo. (File photo)
Reagan is not opposed to U.S. contacts with the people of the Chinese mainland. He said:
"All of this is not to say that American friendship with the people of the mainland of China cannot go forward and be developed with care, but only if it does not jeopardize our close friendship with you here. The tradition of friend ship of the American people for the Chinese people is a long one and many individual Americans are desirous of visiting the mainland while others want to develop more trade. Such things need not be inconsistent with present ties we have with you."
Time alone can solve the China problem, Reagan said. "Time itself is a factor in the American dilemma over China. We Americans like to think of ourselves as problem solvers.
"Historically, I think it has been one of our great strengths, for it has permitted us to solve very great technical problems over the years. But, there is an opposite side to that coin, so to speak. It is that we are also an impatient people. We do not like to see problems left unsolved. We are restless until we have disposed of them.
"In fact, we sometimes rush toward what we think is a solution only to find out later that the solution turns out to be a new set of problems. Often, in our government, elected representatives will see a problem and, with good intentions, rush through legislation to cure it, only to discover later that the cure was worse than the 'disease.' Sometimes they even find cures for which there are no known diseases. We know that we are impatient, but we do not change. That is a reality we must all deal with. I think it explains in part why the advocates of 'normalization' in the United States are so anxious to complete the process. It may just be a case of that native American restlessness. Ironically, these same 'normalization' advocates often cite impatience by Peiping as a reason for going ahead. They suggest that if we don't hurry our present level of friendship with the mainland, it will deteriorate and Peiping will rush into the arms of Moscow. But, if that were to happen, it would be because Peiping had decided it was in its own self-interest to do so. And, any government that acted with such calculating pragmatism might be just as likely to throw over an alliance with the United States at some future date if it felt it was in its best interests to do so.
"This argument of the 'normalization' advocates in my country is self-defeating. Furthermore, there is no outward evidence from the mainland that it foresees a detente with the Soviet Union. On the contrary, Peiping's leaders echo and re-echo the theme that the Soviet Union poses the greatest threat to world peace today and that the United States is, to them, a 'lesser evil.' Certainly, the presence of nearly a million Soviet troops in the vicinity of the Chinese border must give Peiping ample cause to worry about Russian intentions.
"But, let me return to this impatience which the American 'normalization' advocates ascribe to Peiping. Because impatience is an American characteristic to others. Yet, the very opposite is true in this case. Chinese people are known for patience rather than impatience. And, when Peiping sends signals to my country that it is growing impatient over the failure for 'normalization' to proceed, I suspect it may be they are using what might be called 'reverse psychology' on us.
"If ever there was a case where patience is called for - as well as the passage of time - it is in this matter of U.S.- Chinese relationships."
A status quo in China policy is needed if the United States wants to avoid involvement in another overseas war, former U.S. Senator Hiram L. Fong said in Taipei.
Fong spoke at Soochow University after receiving an honorary doctor's degree.
He was referring to the possibility of war between the Republic of China and the Chinese Communists.
Fong said: If the United States abandoned Taiwan, the Chinese Communists would try to save face by seizing Taiwan, as pledged in their "constitution." Once attacked, the Republic of China would resist to the very end. Taiwan could hold out for a period of time against a stronger enemy. Seizing the opportunity, Russia might decide to attack its traditional foe - Communist China. Could the United States ignore a Russian assault on the Chinese mainland? And would Taiwan change its anti-Russian and non-nuclear policies in time of war?
Fong urged the U.S. government and Congress to handle the China issue prudently. "It is a matter of war or peace," he said.
Elaborating on his opinion that it is impossible for the Communist regime and the Republic of China to negotiate, Fong said, "Here are in the main, two diametrically opposite forms of government: Communism against Democracy."
"One regards the individual as a mere cog in the machinery of government and the other regards each person as having individual liberty, dignity, respect and privileges," he added.
Taiwan is also of strategic importance in the defense of Japan, which the U.S. has declared to be its greatest ally in the Far East, Fong said.
The former senator from Hawaii was visiting Taiwan for the sixth time for ceremonies to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of President Chiang Kai-shek. He complimented Taiwan on economic and military progress.
General Wego Chiang, president of the Armed Forces University, urged the free world to step up cooperation with the Republic of China to ward off the threat of communization.
Speaking at a dinner gathering of the American University Club, General Chiang reviewed the world situation and urged the upholding of freedom and democracy.
He called attention to the Soviet Union's worldwide strategy of communization and the infiltration tricks of the Chinese Communists. He denounced Yalta as the biggest mistake of World War II.
Of his father, the late President Chiang Kai-shek, General Chiang said the national leader had devoted a lifetime to service and the pursuit of truth.
The Communists are the common enemy of mankind and "entirely different from our enemies in the past."
General Chiang said the rift between the Soviet Russia and the Chinese Communists has given rise to illusions and wishful thinking on the part of the nations of the free world.
He said those who advocate "normalization of relations" with the Chinese Communist regime lack understanding of the true character of the regime and the nature of the quarrel with the Soviet Union. The Chinese Communists are the fiercer and more sinister and violent, he said, and the quarrel with the U.S.S.R. reflects a rivalry for hegemony in the Communist world.
The general said Taiwan is of great strategic significance because it is:
- Situated in the center of an island chain defense line off the East Asian coast and guards the western front of the American continent.
- An unsinkable aircraft carrier at a strategically important point in the Western Pacific.
- Guarding the southern flank of Japan's maritime safety zone.
- Defending the gateway to the South China Sea and Southeast Asia.
- The Gibraltar of the East, assuring the free world fleets of freedom of movement between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
- A link between Northeast Asia and South-east Asia and the determiner of Japan's capability as a "supporting pillar" for the United States in the Western Pacific.
- The portal determining whether the Russian fleet or the U.S. fleet can enter and assemble at a strategic point in the Pacific or the Indian Ocean.
- A key to South Asia, the belly of the rimland or marginal region of the world island.
- In control of access to energy resources in Indonesia and the Middle East.
- The link between Latin America and Oceania and Asia.
- A connection between the democratic nations of Western Europe and East Asia.
- Rallying point on which rests the hopes of the 800 million Chinese on the mainland who have been longing to win back their freedom and to return to the democratic way of life.
Any attempt by the free nations to "normalize relations" with the Red rulers on the Chinese mainland will terminate hopes of the mainland people, General Chiang said.
Taiwan will need more than 700 agronomists in the next 10 years to beef up research and development, said Dr. Robert C.T. Lee, chairman of the Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction.
He suggested that agricultural institutes make their needs known to the Ministry of Education and local universities so training programs can be arranged.
According to JCRR count, there are 28 major agricultural research institutes in the Republic of China manned by 1,212 technical staff members. Their combined research budgets amounted to NT$491,113,000 (US$13 million) last year.
Researchers in universities and state enterprises are the best trained and paid and have the most adequate research facilities.
Only 16 per cent of agricultural researchers at provincial institutes have postgraduate degrees.
Lee suggested the Taiwan Provincial Government revise its recruitment regulations so as to attract better qualified researchers.
IBM Taiwan Corporation will provide the International Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center near Shanhua in Tainan with support for research on tropical and subtropical regions, W. John Bryan, IBM Taiwan general manager, and Dr. James C. Moomaw, AVRDC director, announced.
In a three-year program of assistance, IBM has agreed to give the AVRDC scientists access to IBM's large computer in Taipei. IBM will also supply personnel and training.
On the average, farmers made 3.4 times more last year than in 1971, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. At that rate, their earnings are rising faster than the salaries of government employees.
Overall, farmers still make less than non-farmers. But they are catching up. In 1975, the farm income was 67 per cent of non-farmer income.
Between 1973, when the government set out to give sagging agriculture a shot in the arm, and June, 1977, the Central Government sank NT$6,930 million (US$1 = NT$38) in accelerated rural development. Provincial, city and county governments put up another NT$2,459 million.
These funds were spent on 1,093 projects, of which 32 per cent were directly involved in farm production. Fifty-nine per cent went to the agricultural infrastructure.
Farmers' benefits from accelerated rural development amounted to NT$7,840 million, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.
Farm mechanization is the heart of the plan. There are now 64,000 power tillers, 1,800 tractors, 10,000 power planters, 3,500 harvesters, 7,000 threshing machines and 16,000 dryers. Eighty-one per cent of paddy is worked by power tillers. Machines handle 26 per cent of planting, 27 per cent of harvesting and 12 per cent of drying.
Fish caught by Taiwan boats will reach the 1 million-ton mark in three years, Yao Tao-yi, director of the Taiwan Provincial Fishery Bureau, predicted. The projection is based on the rise of the catch in the last three years: 770,000 metric tons in 1975,810,000 in 1976 and 850,000 in 1977. The catch this year will exceed 875,000 metric tons.
A million-ton catch would be worth over NT$40 billion.
Yao said more than 200,000 tons of fish were exported last year, earning more than US$444 million for the nation.
A third of the exports were caught in international waters and another third consisted of eels raised in Taiwan ponds. Shrimp accounted for the bulk of the remaining third.
Yao predicted that eel exports to Japan will earn more because of the appreciation of the yen.
The biggest problem of the industry is the shortage of fishermen. Few young men are interested in working on fishing boats where pay is low, life is dull and risks are high.
Larger boats may help solve the problem. Crew quarters could be improved. Higher pay is contemplated. A deep-sea crew member now earns about NT$10,000 (US$265) a month.
The government is considering a compulsory insurance program under which the family of a fisherman would get NT$100,000 (US$2,640) in case of accidental death.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) last year achieved record annual production of 1,069,547 metric tons and maintained a price of US$223 or more per metric ton despite an international slump.
Taisugar's surplus for 1977 was NT$l,950 million.
The state-owned company plans to:
- Sign agreements with foreign buyers.
- Stabilize the supply of materials.
- Increase production through mechanization and other measures.
- Diversify products and increase output of hogs, fertilizer and soybean oil.
- Assist rural reconstruction efforts and resolve difficulties in farm, factory and commercial sectors.
- Reform management.
Nuclear Power Plant No.1's first generator has reached full capacity, said L.K. Chen, board chairman of the Taiwan Power Company.
Nuclear fuel was fed to the generator on October 5 and on November 16 it began to produce power.
The generator gradually increased its load at a rate of 3,000 kw a day. By March 30, it had reached its full commercial capacity of 636,000 kw.
Chen said the second 636,000 kw generator at the No.1 plant should be completed by the end of this year.
Taipower said it is technically capable of producing nuclear fuel. "Whether it could be economically justified is a question," the report said.
Air-conditioning equipment for the Taoyuan Airport.(File photo)
Taipower is taking a three-pronged approach to the securing of uranium: purchasing directly from abroad, undertaking production in cooperation with foreign mining companies and exploring for uranium on a joint venture basis.
Since last October, Taipower has ordered US$110 million in U.S. power equipment, mostly parts and equipment for the three nuclear power plants.
Highway Bureau buses will operate 24-hour service on the North-South Freeway when through traffic begins late this year.
Hu Mei-huang, director of THB, said 350 buses will be used.
Fifty de luxe buses will be used between Taipei and Kaohsiung, 150 buses for intermediate-distance runs between Taipei and Taichung and between Taichung and Kaohsiung, and 150 buses for short-distance runs.
The northern terminal building will be at Chunglun to alleviate congestion at the existing terminal next door to the Taipei railway station.
Hu said the government has decided to build one more cross-island highway in the central part of Taiwan.
Plans for cross-island highways in the northern and southern parts of the island have been shelved for the time being because they are of minimal economic value.
Installation of the last beam of the Chungsha bridge in central Taiwan was completed, ensuring the opening of the North-South Freeway in October.
The 2,345-meter bridge spans the widest part of the Chushui River, where currents are swift.
The span was renamed Chungsha (Sino-Saudi) bridge in recognition of a construction loan granted by Saudi Arabia.
Yaoyuan International Airport is expected to become operational early next year, the Ministry of Communications said.
The present Taipei airport will be used mainly for domestic service after the opening of Taoyuan.
The NT$10 billion (US$263 million) Taoyuan field will handle 5 million passengers and 200,000 metric tons of cargo annually in the initial stage. This will be increased to 20 million passengers and 1 million metric tons of cargo.
The airport will have 3 terminals, 3 runways, 8 taxiways, 22 parking aprons, 13 cargo bays and a 500-room tourist hotel. The 150-foot control tower will be able to direct 42 landings and take-offs an hour.
China Shipbuilding Corporation will seek more foreign orders and diversify its operations. CSBC has two drydocks, one in Kaohsiung and the other in Keelung, with a work force of 8,500.
Its annual shipbuilding capacity totals 1.8 million DWT and its annual capacity for repairs is 4.5 million gross tons.
In line with the government's policy of "vessels flying the national flag should be built in domestic shipyards," CSBC has worked out plans to build 21 vessels of various types totaling 568,500 DWT.
However, volume is still low and foreign orders will be solicited.
Shipbuilding is expected to take a turn for the better with worldwide economic recovery.
By 1980, the world will need 30 million DWT of tankers under 60,000 tons each.
By 1984, the world will need 30 million DWT of bulk carriers under 60,000 DWT. Fourteen million dwt of general freighters will be needed by 1980.
Foreign inquiries have poured in since the shipyard was completed. These have included those for tankers of 1 million tons, 750,000 tons and 550,000 tons.
In addition to shipbuilding, CSBC will be engaged in installing steel pipe scaffoldings, steel pipe processing and machinery manufacture and installation.
Four forest vacation areas will be developed by the Taiwan Provincial Government, one each in the north and the south and two in central Taiwan.
Wulai has been chosen in northern Taiwan. It is famous for its waterfall and the only passenger cableway in Taiwan.
A 40-mile round-the-mountain highway has already been completed. Other facilities such as camp sites, lookouts for scenery viewing, pavilions and areas for fishing and swimming are planned.
Local tourism will be promoted. There are no plans for more tourist hotels. Visitors already exceed a million annually.
Hengchun in the south will be centered on Kenting Park. The entire Hengchun peninsula eventually will be included.
Tourists visiting Hengchun in 1965 numbered only 190,000. This increased to 440,000 in 1971 and 560,000 in 1976. In 1977, 1 million tourists visited the park. The Provincial Government and the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications will build seven hotels with 1,600 rooms and develop more than 20 categories of tourism activities and facilities.
Alishan, the oldest forest vacation area in Taiwan, attracted 10,000 visitors in 1935. The number still stood at 13,000 in 1961. A year later, there were 82,000. Now the total is about 150,000.
The slow growth is attributed to limited transportation and insufficient lodging.
Alishan is famous for its sunrise, sea of clouds, railway from sea level Chiayi to the mountain at 2,332 meters, divine tree, sister pool, forest museum and temple. A highway from Chiayi has been opened.
A highway linking Hsitou and Sun Moon Lake has been designed. Once it is completed, Alishan, Hsitou and Sun Moon Lake will be drawn into a single tourist complex.
Mt. Hohuan in the Central Mountain range has the only ski slope in Taiwan. More highways will be built to link Hohuan with scenic spots in the vicinity.