Taiwan Today

President Manuel Prado y Ugarteche is the first Latin American Chief of State to visit the Republic of China. And he has good reasons to be the first one because his country, Peru, is also the first Latin American country ever to enter into diplomatic relations with China. That was back in 1874 when the Pacific separating the two countries still seemed unnegotiable.

Thus, on May 22, 1961, President and Madame Prado arrived in Taipei for a four-day state visit. This virtually took free China by storm.

Although the visit was largely ceremonial, the very fact that the Chief of State of the South American country should excuse himself from busy state affairs and come across the Pacific to Chinese soil stresses the mutual desire to cement the friendly relations and to promote further cooperation in the international field. His efforts ended in complete success.

The sentiments of the free Chinese are aptly expressed by James Shen, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon President Prado's departure, Mr. Shen told a host of Chinese and foreign newspapermen:

"President Prado has expressed in the clearest terms his continued support for the government of the Republic of China as truly representing China both in and outside the United Nations." He added: "President Prado showed his profound understanding of our aspirations and confidence in the successful outcome of our program of national recovery from Communist usurpation.

"We are certain that, as a leader of the Western Hemisphere and the first Chief of State of Latin America to have visited this country, President Prado not only has brought China and Peru more closely together than ever before, but will contribute greatly to the strengthening of free China's relations with all American nations."

These are not empty sentiments and hopes couched in vague diplomatic language. These are statements verified by the spirit of the Prado visit and by the conclusions in the joint communiqué issued at the end of the Prado visit.

Late in the morning of May 22, the Prados arrived in Taipei to the booming of 21 salvoes. On hand to greet them were President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek and the whole diplomatic corps and hundreds of Chinese government officials. National anthems were played and the guard of honor presented arms.

Outside the airfields, hundreds of thousands of Chinese people, waving Chinese and Peruvian flags, waited expectantly to cheer the visitors. They were familiar with the fact that Sino-Peruvian relations have always been cordial and President Prado, now a sprightly 72, is a man who always can be counted on when it comes to frustrating Communist intrigues.

Following a brief rest at the Grand Hotel after having received the uproarious greetings from Taipei's multitudes, President Prado received the diplomatic corps. Soon, President and Madame Chiang drove up to pay the Peruvian First Couple their greetings. Vice President and Mrs. Chen Cheng also came to have a formal meeting with the Prados.

In the evening, President and Madame Prado attended the state dinner given by President and Madame Chiang in their honor.

The very first words from President Prado underscored the importance of the visit. He said the Chinese government and people deserved the admiration and moral support of the government and people of Peru because they "have demonstrated how to fight and how to resist subjugation."

"The skilful policy of the Generalissimo," President Prado said, "backed by the faith of the men who assist him, shall overcome all the difficulties and succeed in the recovery of the Chinese mainland, in her social and economic reconstruction and in the exercise of her legitimate right to live with dignity within the family of free nations."

He then discussed the situation in Latin America after the emergence of Fidel Castro of Cuba. He said, "In facing the events created by the tensions and dangers which jeopardize the unity of the Western Hemisphere and world peace, I shall continue in my efforts to contribute to the establishment of a strong front of nations having identical principles and ideals, which shall assure all the peoples their right to live together in peace and to enjoy the fruits of their endeavors, without distinction of race or power, taking into account only ethical values which constitute the character of their nationalities. On the other hand, I shall intensify the cooperation for promoting the exploitation and industrialization of their vast resources, enabling us to contribute in a positive and effective way to the well-being of all."

President Chiang, in his speech, told of free China's hopes. He said, "The traditional friendship between China and Peru is of long standing. Both of our peoples believe in the same high ideals of democracy, freedom, peace and universal fraternity. This common political faith, which holds our two countries together, becomes the best guarantee of our friendship.

"In this continuing struggle, it is fortunate for us to be able to enjoy your sympathy and support ... We are particularly gratified for the mutual cooperation demonstrated by our two countries in the United Nations and other international organizations...

"We have followed with admiration the resolute action of your government in outlawing the Communist party, in preventing Communist subversion and in safeguarding the national security of Peru."

The Chinese Chief of State concluded by saying, "At this particular time when international communism is openly penetrating into the Western Hemisphere, the wise and determined efforts on your part will not only help strengthen the freedom and security of Latin America but will also be of great significance to the common destiny of the free world."

The next morning, Mayor Huang Chi-jui of Taipei went to the Grand Hotel to present the golden key of Taipei to the Peruvian president. Again, President Prado emphasized the intimate Sino-Peruvian friendship "owing to the identity of idealism in the pursuit of liberty, peace and independence."

He then went to the Martyrs' Shrine to lay a wreath. After that he went to a place near Taipei to inspect Chinese army bases and an armed corps in action. The Chinese army staged an exercise for him while army planes flew demonstrations. President Prado was seen immensely impressed.

In the afternoon of May 23, President Prado, in the company of Vice President Chen, visited the Shihmen Dam, the biggest in the Far East. He noted with interest how free China tries through its own efforts to solve its economic problems. He also went to the farming area to meet the farmers. An aged farmer was floored so much by the visitor that he hardly knew what to say to reporters later on. He only managed to murmur, "He shook my hands. See, he shook my hands—The Peruvian president."

The skies were leaden with an overcast the next morning. Nevertheless, President Prado flew down south by special plane with Madame Prado to look up the navy and air force as well as the people of Kaohsiung.

Their first stop was at the Chinese Air Force base of Kangshan where the famed CAF Thunder Tigers staged a nine-plane acrobatic show for them. The planes whooshed overhead in intricate and dangerous formations while the Peruvian visitors were sometimes taken aback by their dare-devil performances. The winds were so strong. The umbrella held by an aide was blown inside out but President Prado did not notice it, being so engrossed in the act at that time.

Then, the visiting First Couple drove to Kaohsiung. A red carpet welcome and all-the-way ovation was awaiting them. At their brief stay in Kaohsiung, the Chinese armed forces presented insignia to President Prado. Then he went to Tsoying to inspect the Chinese navy which ordered the "man the rail" to honor him, the Chinese marines and the frogmen who have done so much in the Kinmen fighting.

The Prados flew back to Taipei in the evening and held a state dinner to return the courtesy of President and Madame Chiang. President Prado said he was gratified by the strength of the Chinese armed forces. He called them a "stabilizing factor" in this part of the world.

The final day of his visit saw President Prado and President Chiang engaged in a long morning conference. First, the Chiefs of State and their wives attended church service at President Chiang's private chapel at Shihlin. After the services, they held a one-hour conference which reaffirmed the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

They decided, as announced by a joint communiqué, to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and to "oppose the admission into the world organization of any regime whose conduct runs counter to the provisions of the Charter." In other words, Peru and China are pledged not only to oppose UN membership for the Chinese Communists but also to fight any plans to bring into the august world body countries which are violating the Charter.

The two leaders also "recognize the Communist expansion as the major threat confronting the entire free world and agree that there is a vital need for closer unity and cooperation among all free nations to achieve common security against aggression, infiltration and subversion," the communiqué said. It added:

"They share the conviction that development both in industry and agriculture is of urgent importance to all free world nations, particularly because it would demonstrate their capability to improve well-being of the people.

"They exchange views on the world situation and on matters of common concern to both countries (and) reaffirm their unflinching adherence to the principles of liberty, democracy and human dignity as the basis of every just and progressive society."

The sendoff for the Prados was at once olorful and enthusiastic. President Prado had to stop his car many times to acknowledge the cheers given him by the thousands lining up the streets. Chinese troupes came out to perform for them and the students rushed forward to shake their hands.

The Peruvian First Couple left free China in the early afternoon of May 25.

Days after the visit, Taipei was still talking about the Prados. The Chinese have learned from the trip that President Prado, son of a president, is both a scholar and a soldier. He held a doctorate in engineering and is a graduate of Peru's military academy. In 1933, he became Peru's president and in 1956 he again answered the call of his country to be its chief of state. His present term will last until 1962.

Now at 72, President Prado is in very good health and is a workhorse. He works so hard that, in the words of Madame Prado, "we never have any weekends."

Every morning at six, Persident Prado gets up to attend to state affairs. He works until he goes to sleep at 11 p. m. The strenuous program in Taiwan had little effect on him as he left still in the best of health.

Therefore, Taipei perceived in President Pardo not only firm leadership in the world's anti-Communist crusade but some inkling as how to achieve greatness by dint of hard work and dedication.