Taking advantage of calm, warm seas, escapees literally swarmed into the British colony by swimming or in small boats.
During the height of the influx, not a day passed without scores of Chinese young men and women, mostly former Red Guards, staggering ashore on Hongkong beaches after 10 to 14 hours of marathon swimming across either Deep Bay or Mirs Bay, often with inflated bicycle tires, plastic buoys or ball bladders for added buoyancy.
Escapees risked capture by two patrolling Chinese Communist armed junks which positioned themselves offshore by day and night.
On July 19, 56 members of the Ping Hai commune in Weitung, southern Kwangtung province, escaped a board the fishing junk "Weitung 2002," forcing five Communist cadres to accompany them. Their junk was pursued by three bigger and faster Communist junks but they managed to sail through shallow waters and escape.
After reaching Hongkong, the five Communist cadres were allowed to return to the Chinese mainland aboard the junk.
For every freedom seeker caught by the Hongkong police, three to four enter the colony undetected. Most refugees are young people who were banished to the countryside for "cultural revolution" activities.
Pan Kuo-hsiung, who came to Taiwan with others, said: "After graduation from high school, I was assigned to a small village at hard labor. Five years later, I felt I would no longer be a human being unless I could find a chance to escape.
"In August of 1971, my fiancee and I made fake travel passes. Then we walked all the way to the coast. With the help of a ball, we swam to Hongkong."
Chiao Jou-pong said: "I am a Malaysian-born Chinese and went to the mainland in 1953 with my cousin to study. We felt napped after being there only a few days.
"During the period of the cultural revolution, I was a Red Guard and had a chance to travel to some places. In March of 1971, I escaped to Hongkong by swimming."
Refugees aged 20 to 27 came to Taiwan to attend a rally supporting Captive Nations Week.
In a message to the rally, President Chiang Kai-shek said support of the freedom-seeking people behind the Iron Curtain has become an important movement and part of the worldwide anti-Communist struggle.
He said: "In recent years, some democratic countries have attempted to open the Iron Curtain through negotiations and to reduce tension through conciliation. Such attempts have served only to promote an international atmosphere of appeasement. The Communist bloc took advantage of this opportunity to launch a smiling campaign and step up its united front activities with a view to undermining the unity of the free world and to shattering the anti-Communist will of the free peoples.
"To negotiate with and attempt to conciliate with the Communist bloc is tantamount to asking the tiger to give up his skin or inviting the wolf into one's house....
"History proves that permanent peace is possible only when mankind has obtained freedom. The world cannot have real peace and security when half of mankind is free and the other half remains enslaved."
Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan warned Japan not to go ahead with "normalization" of relations with Communist China.
He said this would only stain Japan's good name as a trustworthy member of the family of nations. Japan signed a peace treaty with the Republic of China and has repeatedly pledged international good faith and respect for treaty obligations.
In receiving Japanese Ambassador Atsushi Uyama after his return from home consultations, Minister Shen said the Republic of China would not accept Japanese explanations about its efforts to normalize ties with Peiping.
The Kuomintang Central Standing Committee resolved to support the government's opposition to Japanese moves.
Premier Chiang Ching-kuo told Ambassador Uyama the Japanese are making a serious mistake. He said if Japan should conclude a peace treaty with Red China, this would create a historical precedent of a nation surrendering twice after defeat in one war.
Cathay girls' basketball team toured Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia to win friends for Republic of China. (File photo)
Economics Minister Y. S. Sun reported in July that Taiwan had economic growth of 8.5 per cent for the first half of 1972.
He said industry grew by 27.1 per cent, compared with the 21.2 per cent registered in the corresponding period of 1971.
Construction grew at the highest rate with 47.6 per cent, followed by manufacturing, 28.3 per cent, and public utilities, 16 per cent.
External investment approvals totaled US$34.3 million, of which US$10.9 million came from overseas Chinese investors and US$23.4 million from foreign investors.
Foreign trade soared to US$2,518.2 million for the six months, an increase of US$895.8 million over the same period last year.
Exports of US$1,341.7 million exceeded imports by US$165.2 million. Imports amounted to US$1,176.5 million.
Wholesale prices rose 4.01 per cent. The consumer price index was up 4.1 per cent.
Minister of Finance K. T. Li reported U.S. bankers have confidence in the economic future of the Republic of China.
He said the U.S. Export-Import Bank has agreed to extend loans totaling US$350 million to this country since its president, Henry Kearns, visited Taiwan in April.
Li returned from an international banking seminar in Santa Clara, California.
Li said three more U.S. banks will open branches in Taipei.
The EX-IM Bank announced it was extending a loan of US$1.5 million to the Chinese Civil Aeronautics Administration to buy air traffic control equipment and a loan of US$1.1 million to the China Investment and Trust Company to import equipment and raw materials from the United States.
Following approval of the Chinese government for a Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Taipei, the Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust of Chicago announced it had decided to open a Taiwan branch.
Alfred F. Miossi, executive vice president of the Chicago bank, said: "Because more than 150 American firms have facilities in Taiwan we see additional opportunities for banking services for these multinational companies."
He said Taiwan's strong economic climate creates additional needs for more banking services. "Last year was one of the best on record for Taiwan as industrial production rose 21.2 per cent, real gross national product grew by 11.4 per cent and total trade exceeded US$4 billion," he said.
With capital of US$10 billion, Continental is the eighth largest bank in the United States. The Taipei branch will be Continental's 11th overseas branch and its third in the Far East. It already has a representative office in Taipei.
Three American banks are already open in Taipei: the First National City Bank, Bank of America and American Express.
The National Bank of Brussels announced it would extend unlimited credit to Taiwan manufacturers for purchases of production equipment in Belgium.
A spokesman of the bank said loans to light industries would be repaid in two to three years at annual interest of 6.5 per cent. Those for heavy industries are to be repaid in five years at annual interest of 7.5 per cent. Applications will be through the Central Trust of China.
The Asia Trust and Investment Corporation, an investment of overseas Chinese in the Philippines and local businessmen, opened in Taipei. Gil J. Puyat, president of the Philippine Senate, cut the ribbon. Other guests were Vicente Puyat, president of the Manila Banking Corporation, and Pelayo F. Llamas, Philippines ambassador to China.
Republics of China and Korea concluded an economic cooperation conference in Seoul. A statement expressed satisfaction at implementation of a tax exemption agreement on international transport earnings.
Market sharing and product exchange will be undertaken in the petrochemical industry. Korea will supply acrylonitrile and China DMT in a trial exchange.
To narrow the trade gap, the ROC will buy at least US$14 million worth of commodities from Korea in 1972, an increase of US$2.4 million over 1971.
More dried cuttlefish, red ginseng, laver and apples will be imported in return for Taiwan's pineapples, papayas, mangoes and bananas. Taiwan exported US$39 million worth of goods to Korea last year.
Representing China at the conference was a delegation headed by Economics Minister Y. S. Sun. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economic Planning Board Tae Wan-Son was the Korean chief delegate.
New cooperation measures are planned in tourism and shipping.
The agreement on sea and air transport tax exemption was signed before the conference. The exemption covers income tax, business tax and corporation tax on revenues from the operations of ships and aircraft. Pools, partnerships and international agencies are covered.
The Taiwan Sugar Corporation will supply 200,000 to 250,000 metric tons of raw sugar annually to the Korean Federation of Sugar Refining Industries under a contract covering 1973, 1974 and 1975.
TSC reported production of 713,000 metric tons of refined sugar this crop year. With the price of sugar rising, farmers will grow more cane in the 1972-73 crop year. Production is expected to reach 820,000 metric tons.
The government has established a company to produce caprolactam, a raw material used in making nylon filament.
The Chung Tai Chemical Industries Corporation was established by three state enterprises: Chinese Petroleum Corporation, Kaohsiung Ammonium Sulfate Corporation and Taiwan Fertilizer Company. The output of 50,000 metric tons of caprolactam annually will supply requirements of the nylon textile industry, which currently consumes 150 tons a day.
Hydrogen, cyclohexam, sulphuric acid and liquid ammonia needed for caprolactam will be supplied by the sponsoring companies.
Construction of the US$26 million plant is under way by a German engineering company, Didier-Kellogg Industrieanlagenbau GmaH Essen. Technicas Reunidas Ltd., of Spain has a US$8 million share in construction. Spain named its commercial counselor in Tokyo, Jose Fernandez, to serve concurrently at the embassy in Taipei.
Customs import tariffs have been revised to meet the needs of economic development. The revision exempts from duty some imports needed in development of heavy industries, for medical use and for research purposes.
Included are raw copper, plasma, serum, vaccines, bulbs, tubers, roots, corms, crowns, rhizomes and dormants of flowers or plants.
Duties have been cut on such commodities as:
—Those essential to the people's livelihood. Duty on beef was lowered from 39 per cent to 30 per cent, mutton from 79 per cent to 30 per cent and milk powder from 26 per cent to 22 per cent.
—Machinery and facilities required in agricultural and industrial production. Agricultural machinery was cut from 13 to 7 per cent, dish washing machines from 65 to 46 per cent and sewing machines for industrial use from 32 to 20 per cent.
—Raw materials required in industrial production. The tariff on sulphur was lowered from 13 to 10 per cent and that on cigarette paper from 130 to 65 per cent.
—Mine safety apparatus and equipment and facilities used in public service.
Some items now made in Taiwan will cost more if imported. Lathes, planers and drill presses will be assessed at 19 per cent instead of 13 per cent. Aircraft tires and tubes, previously free, will be assessed at 59 per cent. Mechanical fans and blowers went up from 19 to 26 per cent.
The Board of Foreign Trade reported as of the end of June, Taiwan had 14,021 registered exporters, of whom 8,223 were in Taipei. Those with a capital of NT$10 million, or US$250,000, numbered 684, or about 4.6 per cent.
Also as of June 30, Taiwan had 200 enterprises operating in its three export processing zones at Kaohsiung, Nantze and Taichung. Capitalization totals US$68 million and there are 50,300 workers.
Taiwan boys won world Little League and Senior League baseball titles within a week and got a warm welcome home. (File photo)
Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation completed a 58,000-ton bulk carrier for the Eddie Steamship Company. Sir Thomas Wardle, the mayor of Perth, attended the launching.
The Eddie Steamship Company has opened direct freight service to Australia. Ports of call are Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle.
Eddie was established at Shanghai in 1927 and moved to Taiwan in 1949. It has 39 vessels totaling 1.4 million tons. Five freighters have been assigned to the Australian service.
A vocational training center has been opened in Taoyuan near Taipei to train from 1,040 to 1,560 technicians and mechanics annually.
The Taipei Area Vocational Assistance Center will give classes in furniture making, maintenance of refrigerators and other appliances, wig making and welding.
Board and room are free and trainees will be helped to find jobs.
Seven major religions in Taiwan have 8,067 temples and churches. There are 13,890 religious practitioners and 9,633,555 adherents.
The religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Li-ism and the Baha'i. Li-ism, an offshoot of Buddhism, also is known as rationalism. Baha'i is a religion introduced from Iran. It advocates a commonwealth of the world and friendship among all people.
The Ministry of the Interior said Buddhism leads with 2,515 temples, 7,343 monks and nuns, and 5,750,000 adherents. Buddhists operate 10 institutions for religious study, 2 vocational schools, 10 kindergartens, 1 home for the aged, 2 poor houses, 3 nurseries, 1 hospital, 3 clinics, 1 newspaper and 13 magazines.
Taoism has 2,745 temples, 1,231 priests and 3,231,000 adherents. It operates 20 kindergartens and 2 newspapers.
Catholicism has 661 churches, 3,044 priests and sisters, and 305,798 adherents. It has 5 institutions of religious study, 2 universities, 1 college, 25 high schools, 10 primary schools, 425 kindergartens, 1 home for the aged, 4 orphanages, 23 hospitals, 115 clinics, 5 newspapers, 4 magazines, 1 radio station and 7 other publishing enterprises.
Protestanism has 2,139 churches, 2,133 clergy and 303,380 adherents. There are 22 institutions of religious study, 2 universities, 2 colleges, 9 high schools, 17 orphanages, 10 hospitals, 8 clinics, 3 newspapers, 28 magazines and 1 other publishing enterprise.
Islam has 5 mosques, 9 imams and 42,300 adherents. There is 1 institution of religious study and 2 newspapers.
Li-ism has 1 temple, 33 clergy and 1,500 adherents. There are 1 institution of religious study and 3 magazines. Baha'i has 1 temple, 6 clergy and 577 adherents.
Altogether, these religions support 4 universities, 3 colleges, 36 high schools (including vocational schools), 10 primary schools, 455 kindergartens, 2 homes for aged, 21 orphanages, 2 institutions for the poor, 3 nurseries, 34 hospitals and 126 clinics.
For the first half of 1972, tourists totaled 310,962, including 273,959 foreigners and 37,003 overseas Chinese.
Compared with the corresponding period of last year, foreign tourists were up 15.3 per cent and overseas Chinese 18.8 per cent.
The major tourist season is October and November. Tourists in the first six months usually account for about 40 per cent of the year's total. On this basis, Taiwan is expected to have more than 650,000 tourists in 1972 with foreign exchange earnings of US$130 million to US$140 million.
The Tourism Bureau said Japanese led the list for the first six months with 170,162. Americans were second at 53,661.
The number of European tourists is increasing despite recognition of the Chinese Communist regime by several European countries.
Visa application procedures have been simplified for Europeans. Chinese information and trade offices in Europe are empowered to issue "letters of introduction" to Europeans, who get their visas on arrival in Taipei.
Lee Tang Hwa Acrobats performed at the Sun Sing Theater on Broadway in New York for two weeks this summer. They received warm applause.
The troupe also is giving performances in Chicago, Washington, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Seattle and Boston.
The Lee Tang Hwa Acrobatic Troupe, named for its founder, has 28 members, each one a master in at least one type of acrobatics.
Ding Hung-chu, nicknamed Mr. Latin, can swallow almost anything. He can drink five gallons of water, eat microphones and swallow neon tubes, watches and glasses.
The troupe has performed in Japan, Khmer (Cambodia), South Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Borneo, New Zealand and Hongkong.
Lee Tang Hwa organized the troupe in Shanghai some 30 years ago and performed throughout the mainland. The troupe came to Taiwan in 1949 to escape the Communists.
Lee's second daughter, Miss Lee Lan-ying, who is being groomed to succeed him, is directing the troupe on its current tour.
A Chinese Communist table tennis team which was to play in Sydney July 23 threatened to cancel its tour of Australia because a Taiwan girls' basketball team was playing there.
The Australian government refused to be blackmailed. A UPI dispatch from Sydney said: "Ping pong diplomacy, which seemed to improve relations between the United States and Red China, does not seem to be working in Australia."
Australian Minister for External Affairs Nigel Bowen said the Peiping team had asked that the free Chinese team be prevented from playing. Bowen said the Australian government would not interfere with the Taiwan team's visit.
John K.C. Liu, manager of the Cathay girls' team, said his team would not leave Australia because of the presence of the Peiping team.
The girls represent the Cathay Life Insurance Company of Taipei. The team toured Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia for 45 days.
The Republic of China won the 1972 Far Eastern Little League baseball championship in Guam playoffs. The Taipei area team defeated Japan 3-0, the Philippines 2-1, Guam 1-0, Hong Kong 20-0 and Korea 3-0.
Some of the games were broadcast live by the Taiwan Television Enterprise, which sent equipment to Guam. Signals were sent via the Pacific satellite.
The Chinese team went to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the World Series and won the 1972 Championship.
Another baseball team of the Republic of China won the Far East title in the Boys' Senior League. Little League is for boys aged 10 to 12 and Senior League for those aged 13 to 16.
Defeating Guam 12-0 and 18-0, the Pingtung boys from southern Taiwan earned the right to play in the Senior League World Series at Gary, Indiana and won the 1972 Championship.