President Chiang Ching-kuo and Vice President Shieh Tung-min were sworn into office Saturday, May 20, at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei before the nation's other leaders, representatives of the people at home and overseas, and foreign dignitaries. Millions of people watched the color telecasts on Taiwan's three networks. Satellite transmissions conveyed the program over seas.
President Chiang, the son of the late President Chiang Kai-shek and Premier for the last six years, succeeded President Yen Chia-kan. Facing the portrait of the Founding Father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, he declared: "I do solemnly and sincerely swear before the people of the whole country that I will observe the Constitution, faithfully perform my duties, promote the welfare of the people, safeguard the security of the state, and will in no way betray the people's trust. Should I break my oath, I shall be willing to submit myself to severe punishment by the state. This is my solemn oath." Administering the oath was Dr. Tai Yen-huei, chairman of the Council of Grand Justices.
In his inaugural address, President Chiang Ching-kuo paid tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Founding Father, and his inspiration and leader ship of the National Revolution. Dr. Sun, he said, "opened up a new horizon of national revival and established the first free democratic nation in Asia." After Dr. Sun's untimely passing in 1925, it was President Chiang Kai-shek who carried on the Revolution and strove for the implementation of the Three Principles. "Today's great task of resisting Communism and achieving national recovery," said the new chief executive, "conspicuously carries on the moral and legal line of the National Revolution based on the Three Principles of the People, exalts the national spirit and continues the thorough implementation of revolutionary action."
The Republic of China is "now facing the crucial test of a new era in a new situation," he said. "The fierce conflict confronting us will decide our fate" - whether it is to be "glory or humiliation, freedom or slavery." Determination has been strengthened and certainty of success steadily grows stronger, he said, and then made these observations about the ongoing struggle for a free and united China:
- Unity and not individualism is required. This is "a time in which everyone is called upon to contribute his wisdom and ability" in return for a share in the success.
- National Revolution is not a pretty ceremonial arch but "a great wall built with sweat and blood."
- Morality, truth and the public interest are supreme values. Everyone shares responsibility for the common endeavor.
President Chiang Ching-kuo set these immediate goals for government and people:
First, to increase the national strength for the defeat of Communism and the reconstruction of the country. He said: "We must make use of every minute, value every unit of our material power and pool the wisdom and talent of all so that we can accentuate both our visible national defense combat capability and our invisible political, social and cultural vitality, and combine these into a powerful, compact and undivided force."
Second, further contributions must be made to the living standard of the people. Economic development, he said, has raised national income, narrowed the gap between rich and poor, and increased job opportunities. These gains have resulted from implementation of the Principle of the People's Livelihood and from the creative spirit of the people and their hard work. Economic development must serve both the welfare of the people and the needs of national recovery and reconstruction.
Third, the Chinese government is committed to democracy and freedom and must therefore enlarge the scope of constitutional government. "We must enlarge political participation, safeguard freedom and human rights, and assure that democracy and freedom are based on the will of all the people," he said.
Fourth, assurance of honest and efficient government. All the people must be given the chance to contribute to the nation and society. "We must cultivate and promote talented people in every possible way" and "strengthen social education so as to improve social customs and thus make use of political renovation to assure a high level of constructive political morale. This will complement honesty with efficiency and assure the establishment of a sincere, moral and open society and a truly democratic government."
The contrast between the performance of the Republic of China and the Chinese Communists, President Chiang said, is that "between benevolence and violence, between happiness and agony, between brightness and darkness, and between total right and total wrong." He said that the Republic of China is concerned about compatriots "struggling in the crucible of Communist tyranny. We must concentrate our will and muster our strength so as to hasten our actions to recover the mainland and set the people free."
Turning to international affairs, President Chiang said: "We can say positively and clearly that the Republic of China will never change its determination to remain in the democratic camp and oppose Communism. We shall never change our position of not negotiating or compromising with the Communist enemy. Our fundamental policy and attitude in international politics is to strengthen friendly and moral relations with free nations and fulfill all of our obligations and responsibilities under the preconditions of anti Communism and national recovery. Strengthening of our relationship with the United States is our consistent policy and principle because of our conviction:
- "That anything which benefits China will also benefit the United States and that anything which harms China will also harm the United States. If the two countries stick together, both will benefit; if they are separated, both will suffer.
- "That any thought of regarding the Chinese Communists as a 'balancing force' or as a party to the 'strategy of balance of power,' or any illusion that the 'building of bridges' and 'negotiation' would curtail Chinese Communist expansionism, will confront the free nations with the dilemma of 'battling a tiger at the front door' while 'letting a wolf in through the back door' - a dilemma in which attack will come from both the front and the rear."
President Chiang expressed hope for a free world united in the cause of peace with justice. "We are confident," he said, "that the free nations will consider their long-term interests and make long-range plans to control aggression with strength and provide the moral courage to assure true world peace, stability and prosperity."
He paid tribute to the leadership of President Yen Chia-kan during the three years following the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek, and added that the sincerity of the people had also helped surmount adverse tides during these difficult times. Free China has shown, he said, the strong unity and struggle to withstand all buffets and pass any test.
President Chiang Ching-kuo pledged himself to goals of national righteousness, revolutionary responsibility and the upholding of national honor and prestige. "With the trust and under the supervision of all the people of the country," he said, "I shall from now on try my best and most sincerely and call on all my wisdom and ability to face the challenge of reality with fortitude and determination in company with all my compatriots of the nation. I shall make careful plans and seek judicious judgments to attain the goals of national construction. I shall make every sacrifice to demonstrate my loyalty and give myself to the service of winning the final victory for national recovery and reconstruction together with all the people of the country."
At President Chiang Ching-kuo's own wish, inauguration Day events were simple. After the swearing in, he and Vice President Shieh went to the Presidential Building to accept congratulations. The next day they went to the Martyrs Shrine to pay tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and then to the Tzuhu sarcophagus to pay tribute to President Chiang Kai-shek. Various receptions and meetings with foreign dignitaries and overseas Chinese were held, but without ostentation. The government had invited no foreign dignitaries. Even so, many came on their own out of respect for the new chief of state and admiration for the stand of the Republic of China.
The new President could scarcely restrain the enthusiasm of the people. Firecrackers exploded throughout Taiwan in the typical Chinese expression of joy and celebration. Lions and dragons danced in the streets as impromptu parades were organized by the people, who consider Chiang Ching-kuo to be one of their own. For many years, the new leader of free China has devoted most of his week-ends to the people - visiting them on the farm, on the job and in their homes. He has a special affinity for young people and for those who are serving the country in the armed forces. One of his destinations after his election as President and before the swearing-in were the frontlines of the offshore islands, where the Communists are daily confronted in a hot war situation.
There was also enthusiasm for the new Vice President. Shieh Tung-min is a native of Taiwan and was governor of the province before his election. He has devoted his lifetime to the ideals of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and to the cause of the National Revolution. As a young man, he departed Taiwan rather than knuckle under to the occupying Japanese. As governor, he sponsored a self-help program that virtually eliminated the need for relief. Instead of paying the poor, he eliminated poverty.
Free Chinese and world editorial opinion strongly approved the choice of Chiang Ching-kuo for President and expressed confidence that he will make rapid progress toward his objectives. One Taipei newspaper pointed out that few men have ever come to a country's highest office with such varied experience.
"Chiang Ching-kuo," said the China News, "is one of the world's foremost opponents of Communism. He learned about Communism from the Communists. He was only a boy when he went to Moscow for advanced education. It took him 12 years to get away. The President described this as the worst time in his life. But what better way to learn about the enemy than to live in his midst.
"American friends have sometimes suggested that as a free and democratic country, the Republic of China should take a more relaxed view of Communism. Chiang Ching-kuo says that is impossible. To accept Communism even in moderation would be to destroy freedom and democracy. China's confrontation with Communism is not the same as that of the United States or Japan. The province of Taiwan stands alone as the island bastion of national recovery. Nine hundred million people are under the heel of tyranny. Only the 17 million of Taiwan and the 22 million of the overseas Chinese communities are still free.
"The Republic of China will have the maximum possible freedom and democracy under the Chiang Ching-kuo administration. It will not be permissive about Communism. The new chief of state is not a professional anti-Communist. But he knows what he has learned. He is applying the lessons that he mastered in the camp of the enemy. He is also experienced in defense, economic and administrative matters. He has acquired an immense amount of know-how as defense minister, as premier and as a youth and veterans leader.
"Even more important than all this is what he learned from his father, the late President Chiang Kai-shek. From the time of his return from the Soviet Union in 1937, he was close to the late President and Generalissimo. Chiang Ching-kuo has written movingly and convincingly of his father's influence. When President Chiang Kai- shek passed away in 1975, there was a time when the son wondered whether he could go on. He spent a month beside his father's sarcophagus at Tzuhu, contemplating the meaning of existence and whether he should return to active life. He finally decided that he would not ignore the calls of the nation and the people. President Chiang Kai-shek's work had to be carried on; his goals had to be attained.
"President Chiang Kai-shek did not try to make his son President. He knew he could not do that, because the choice would have to be that of the people speaking through the National Assembly. He did, however, prepare the son to serve the nation in whatever capacity the people wished. His success is self-evident.
"Chiang Ching-kuo is a simple man personally, although complex in his approaches to the difficult problems of the country and the world. He is a humble man who listens to others. He is a man of deep and abiding faith in the people and the destiny of China. The Republic of China is entering a new era. It has been more than three years since the death of Chiang Kai-shek. The period of transition is finished. All signs point to a new direction of early showdown with the Communists and the victory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Three Principles of the People. The people are aware that they are fortunate to have the experience and the sound judgment of Chiang Ching-kuo at their command."
As Chiang Ching-kuo left the premiership and Shieh Tung-min departed the governorship, other changes were ordained in leadership at the top level. All officials of cabinet rank (who are responsible to the Premier as President of the Executive Yuan) and the mayor of Taipei (who is appointed by the President of the Re public) submitted their resignations before the inauguration.
President Chiang announced his choice for Premier and sent the nomination to the Legislative Yuan for approval. To succeed himself he named Sun Yun-suan, who served as minister of economic affairs from 1969 until his resignation as a member of Chiang Ching-kuo's outgoing cabinet. Sun Yun-suan was born in Penglai, Shan tung, in 1913. He is both a technocrat and experienced civil servant. His friendly nature and outgoing personality have made him one of the best-liked as well as one of the most respected leaders in the Republic of China. He is an indefatigable worker of invariably sound judgment.
He has made outstanding contributions to the development of the Republic of China in the last nine years. All of the Ten Major Construction Projects were undertaken during his tenure at the MOEA. He has won the trust of both industrialists and businessmen.
In 1973-74, the Republic of China was buffeted by the worldwide energy crisis and inflation. The country faced great economic difficulties. Under the leadership of Premier Chiang Ching-kuo, Minister Sun helped devise and implement remedial measures. Stability was restored and economic growth resumed. Construction was undertaken for a big steel mill and shipyard, petrochemical industries and nuclear power plants. The country's industrial structure was improved even as rural reconstruction was speeded. High economic growth rates were resumed by the mid-1970s.
Sun Yun-suan was trained as an electrical engineer. He was graduated from the Harbin Polytechnic Institute at Harbin in 1934, then joined a project to construct the power station at Lienyunkang, eastern terminus of the Kiangsu-Kansu Railway. After V-J Day, he served as superintendent of the Sining Power Station at Tsinghai and chief of the Engineering Bureau of the Tienshui Power Station in Kansu. At the close of 1942, the government sent him to the Tennessee Valley Authority in the United States for three years of training and experience to prepare him for the tasks of postwar reconstruction.
In May of 1946, Sun Yun-suan was appointed a member of the group to take over the Taiwan Power Company, which had been returned to the government by the Japanese. At Taipower, he served as Head Engineer (1946-50), Chief Engineer (1950-53), Vice President and Chief Engineer (1953-02) and President (1962-64). His contributions in restoring the Taiwan-wide power system led to his decoration with the Cravat of the Order of Brilliant Star by the government in 1952. In 1954, he won the engineering award of the Chinese Institute of Engineers.
Mr. Sun's successes brought him worldwide recognition. In 1964, the World Bank obtained the agreement of the Chinese government to invite him to serve as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria. Presiding over that country's massive power development project, he helped increase the output of electricity by 88 per cent in three years. Resigning to return home, he turned down the Nigerian president's request that he stay on for an additional period.
Sun Yun-suan was appointed Minister of Communications in December of 1967 and elected to membership on the policy making Central Standing Committee of the ruling Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party). In 1969 he moved from the Ministry of Communications to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. As of May, 1978, he had been economic minister for eight years and eight months.
He has traveled often and widely in the United States and speaks excellent English. He has an acquaintanceship with leaders and engineers throughout the world. A man of simple tastes, he lives in Taipei with his wife, the former Yu Hui-hsuan. They have four children. He is loyal to his friends and has an old-fashioned Chinese filial regard for his mother. His pleasant personality and easygoing ways do not get in the way of a high-powered efficiency that has kept him in the forefront of government for many years.
President Chiang Ching-kuo's nomination of Sun Yun-suan as Premier won the assent of the Legislative Yuan May 25 by a vote of 329 to 12. The presidential appointment was made a few hours later.
Succeeding Vice President Shieh as governor of Taiwan is Lin Yang-kang, a native of Taiwan and the mayor of Taipei until the recent resignations. The new mayor of Taipei, which is coequal to Taiwan province in administrative status, is Lee Teng-hui, Taiwan-born former minister without portfolio. The vice premiership was retained by Hsu Ching-chung, another Taiwan native.
Tsiang Yien-si, former minister of education, was named secretary general of the presidential office. Admiral Feng Chi-tsung, former vice minister of defense, succeeded Admiral Ni Yui-si as chief of staff to the President.
As he looked out upon his pressing duties in the first days of the new presidency, Chiang Ching-kuo may have recalled these words that he spoke at the Legislative Yuan after his confirmation as Premier in 1972: "I accepted the position and duties of President of the Executive Yuan with feelings of extreme concern deep in my heart. This is the crucial moment in our life-or-death struggle against the Chinese Communists for the freedom of our people and the rebuilding of our nation. From now on, all of us will face no peaceful journey, but surging waves and pouring rains. Yet I am supremely confident that as long as the government and people share their fate in the same boat, confront ordeals together, join with each other in ultimate sincerity and with one heart, follow the leadership of the President (Chiang Kai-shek), thoroughly implement our national policy of anti-Communism and persist in achieving our goal of national recovery, we shall overcome all difficulties, triumph over all dangers and accomplish the final victory of anti-Communism and national recovery.
"Aware of my limited knowledge and experience, I had not thought of assuming such heavy administrative responsibilities. However, I am confident that in utmost sincerity I shall be able to join with my fellow countrymen at home and abroad to uphold our common convictions and bring together all our efforts in order to serve our country with practical actions and painstaking dedication. Under such conditions, I am ready to sacrifice all that I am and have to reach our objectives. What can never be yielded is the existence of our people and the survival of our nation. Regardless of what difficulties the future may hold, and no matter how arduous the trials ahead, I swear that I shall do my best to overcome all obstacles, carry out my duty and fulfill my obligations in my sacrifice and struggle for upholding the dignity of the Republic of China, eliminating the tyranny of the rebellious Chinese Communists and realizing the ideals of the Three Principles of the People.
"Since our government established a base for national restoration on Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, my predecessors have, under the leadership of our President, laid a solid and firm foundation for national recovery and reconstruction. With these accomplishments as the base, I shall do my best to work for our nation and serve the people on the principle that 'national interest is above all other interests and the interest of the people should always be given the first priority.' We must enhance our national defense forces through mobilization and combat; improve the livelihood of the people through stability and prosperity; promote social morality through renovation and action; and raise administrative efficiency by streamlining and simplifying the procedures of government. Additionally, we shall actively cultivate youth in all our government departments so as to promote the metabolism of the political sphere. To attain these goals, government and people must be agreed on concepts and views and work together toward common objectives.
"How difficult is the situation we are facing! How miserable is the life of our compatriots on the mainland! How arrogant and rampant the Chinese Communists are! But more important than these, how earnest is the wish of our President for the completion of our mission of national recovery! If we do not do our best to do what we must do at this time and in this place, then I must ask: What and where shall we do it? I shall abide by the law, take up my responsibilities and do my best to see that our government is honest and competent. I trust that all members of the administration will work together with me for these objectives and encourage each other.
"National administration is an undertaking which concerns every citizen of the country and therefore requires every citizen to give the best of his wisdom and his ability. On the other hand, administrative reform is a complicated matter which requires careful deliberation and planning in order to determine the order of importance and priority. I earnestly hope, therefore, that in consideration of my limitations, you will permit me to speak less so I can spend my time facing up to reality and getting things done. I hope that all of our countrymen will point out my shortcomings from time to time and help me correct my mistakes. If you have suggestions regarding administrative reform, please bring them forward without hesitation. Our President has told us, 'Government is a machine for serving the people.' I am convinced that only that government which works for the people will be supported by the people, and that only that government which is supported by the people can bring into play the full force of its strength. With the great motivating force afforded by the common aspiration of our people, we shall surely be able to carry out the mission of our time. In the words of our President, this is another Northward Expedition for our National Revolution and another reunification of the Republic China."
Much has changed and nothing has changed. Many of the challenges remain. But progress has been made. Storms have been resisted. Surging tides have been breasted. In her cable of best wishes to Chiang Ching-kuo from New York, where she has been undergoing medical treatment, Madame Chiang Kai-shek bade the new President to remember the counsel of his father. There was no likelihood that President Chiang Ching-kuo would forget. Rarely does Chiang Ching-kuo speak out on any subject without recalling the wise advice of his father.
As the new President studied his father's extensive writings (no day passed without an entry in Chiang Kai-shek's Diary), he may have come across this inspiring passage:
"China's long history is due to her inherent virtues and is at the same time a manifestation of her high culture. As we all know, the fundamentals of Chinese morality are loyalty, filial devotion, kindness, love, faithfulness, justice, harmony and equity, and the principles upon which the Chinese state has been established are propriety, righteousness, integrity and honor. Under the permeating influence of the eight virtues and four cardinal principles, the Chunghua nation has been able to keep its promises and discharge its duties, and in dealing with others, to put itself in their place and thus avoid conflict.
"Where justice demands, China acts uprightly and bravely; where profit is to be gained, she shares unselfishly. She neither fears the strong and aggressive nor bullies the weak and the small. Five thousand years' experience of alternating order and chaos, prosperity and decay, has inculcated in our nation a deep sense of integrity and honor, and a capacity for bearing humiliation and shouldering responsibility. This sense of integrity makes China wish to keep no more than her rightful share; this sense of honor impels her to strengthen herself. Because she keeps for herself no more than her rightful share, she does not insult or oppress others; and because she never fails to strengthen herself, she cannot allow herself to be insulted or oppressed."
This is the spirit of indomitable, unconquerable China and its courageous people. This is the road that Chiang Ching-kuo has taken - in succession to his father - in order to attain the great goals set by Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek for the new Republic built on the foundations of the Middle Kingdom.