ROC resettles 156,258 freedom seekers
A total of 156,258 Chinese freedom seekers has been resettled in Taiwan in the past 24 years with the help of the Free China Relief Association, a spokesman said.
He said they came to Taiwan from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Those from Hongkong numbered 55,671. Another 30,162 came from South Vietnam.
FCRA helped 447 freedom seekers resettle in Taiwan last year. They included 282 from Burma and 83 from Hongkong.
Building contractors to meet in Taipei
More than 700 foreign delegates and observers will attend the 12th Convention of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors' Associations in Taipei April 2-10.
This will be the biggest international conference in Taiwan since 1,500 foreign delegates came to the 12th World Congress of the Junior Chamber International last November. Two leading contractors associations in Taiwan are organizing the meeting.
Tsu Chan-tang, chairman of the organizing committee, said the meeting will increase the interflow of know-how in the construction business and contribute to international understanding and economic cooperation. Invitations were sent out last October.
An exhibition of construction technology and materials will be held to promote export of Chinese construction materials and know-how. The host chapter will sponsor a field trip.
The last IFAWPCA convention was held in India. A Chinese delegation attended despite visa difficulties.
Technical Cooperation group holds conference
The Sino-American Technical Cooperation Association held its 18th annual convention January 12 at the Mandarin Hotel in Taipei.
Y.S. Sun, minister of economic affairs, and Walter P. McConaughy, U.S. ambassador to Taipei, were speakers.
The success story of the Republic of China is a testimonial to the value and contributions of the U.S. foreign aid program, Minister Sun said.
Investments and loans from U. S. enterprises and bankers increased tremendously in 1972, he said. This is an indication of U. S. support and confidence in the Republic of China, he added.
The minister said there was no denying that the change of the U. S. China policy had produced some psychological effects on the Chinese and American peoples. He recommended that the governments and peoples should double their efforts to promote mutual understanding.
Minister Sun suggested that the ROC take the following measures:
- 1. Invite more U. S. leaders in commerce and industry for inspection tours.
- 2. Continue to improve investment climate.
- 3. Increase imports from the United States.
- 4. Strengthen research and technical cooperation with the United States.
Ambassador McConaughy said the Republic of China not only was a recipient of technical assistance but also has become a donor nation through its transfer of technical know-how to less developed nations.
Research will probe circulatory diseases
The National Health Administration will cooperate with the College of Medicine of the National Taiwan University in a 10-year research plan on arteriosclerosis, cerebrovascular diseases and heart diseases of the Chinese people.
Arteriosclerosis and cerebral vascular diseases are common among most people. The diseases probably have something to do with the environment and diet. There has been no exhaustive research on these diseases among the Chinese people. The study will start in seven districts of Taipei - Lungshan, Yenping, Kuting, Chengchung, Tatung, Chungshan and Chiencheng. A total of 1,200 men in their 40's will be picked for examination.
People's petitions will be expedited
The Executive Yuan has told its administrative departments to process petitions from the people within one month and in a careful and cooperative manner.
Those petitions printed in newspapers as paid advertisements should also be considered.
The 17-point directive said illiterates should not be ignored.
Complicated cases may be held over for a second month with the consent of higher officials. The petitioner must be informed.
Petitions may be kept secret for reasons of security or safety.
Government officials and petitioners are required to show mutual respect.
Good men honored for good deeds
Fifty "Good Men" were honored for "Good Deeds" at the Taipei City Hall. Some 3,000 people from all walks of life attended the ceremonies.
A message from President Chiang Kai-shek was read.
Nieh Wen-ya, president of the Legislative Yuan, presided, he expressed hope the model citizens would make even greater contributions to the country and society.
Vice President C. K. Yen said all people of the nation should follow the example set by the good men of good deeds.
Spirit of harmony prevails in Taiwan
Premier Chiang Ching-kuo said he is elated by the spirit of harmony pervading free China.
"Harmony exists not only within the government structure but between the government and the people," the premier told a national breakfast meeting.
People and government are harmonious because they are working for the common interest and fighting for a common goal, he declared.
The premier urged the people to remain united and trust the government.
If the government is to be capable, he said, it must have the confidence of the people. The government may commit mistakes sometimes, he conceded, but the people must realize that the government is sincerely serving their interest.
An early riser himself, Premier Chiang expressed his approval of the early rising habit of Taipei-landers. He said he saw people of all ages doing calisthenics in parks in the early morning hours and that the sight cheered him.
Presiding at the breakfast meeting were Dr. Chang Pao-shu, secretary-general of the Kuomintang, and Yu Kuo-hwa, governor of the Central Bank. More than 500 government and civic leaders attended.
Held once a month, the breakfasts are designed to bridge the gulf between government and the people. Representatives from several fields voiced their opinions.
Kuo Kun-jen, author of The Rage of Heaven and a former Red Guard, suggested that the voice of students be heeded.
Lu Feng-chang, a business executive, urged modernization of banking operations and the participation of private capital in the development of heavy industries.
Tsai Chen-nan, an insurance executive, suggested stepped-up development of the infrastructure, especially harbor facilities, with private investment playing a role.
Rally urges support for anti-Mao masses
A Freedom Day rally appealed to the people of the free world to support the "huge masses of anti-Maoists on the Chinese mainland in a joint campaign to destroy Maoist tyranny and eliminate the source of Red scourges for Asia and the world."
The rally at the China Sports and Cultural Center in Taipei drew more than 18,000 civic and anti-Communist leaders and students.
The occasion was the 19th anniversary of the choice of freedom by more than 22,000 Chinese and Korean prisoners at the end of the Korean War.
The declaration called on the free nations of Asia to "consolidate their unity and jointly safeguard their security" against Communist aggression.
It also called for support of the Republic of Vietnam's stand against aggression, condemnation of the Japanese Tanaka cabinet's breach of faith with the Republic of China, for early establishment of a regional security organization and for correction of neutralist and pacifist attitudes.
The rally was the biggest since 1954. Dr. Ku Cheng-kang, honorary chairman of the World Anti-Communist League and chairman of the China Chapter of WACL, presided.
Operation Well-to-Do will take eight years
"Operation Well-to-Do" will be completed in eight years, Governor Hiseh Tung-min told newspaper executives in Taipei.
"Operation Well-to-Do" is not a relief measure. It is intended to help needy citizens find employment and become productive members of society.
The aged, sick and physically handicapped will be cared for.
The anti-poverty program will include relief, vocational training, employment assistance and aid to the helpless.
Government, beneficiaries and the public will work together as a team, Hsieh said.
More than 70,000 Taiwan families, comprising some 390,000 persons, are classified as "poor." All will become self-supporting.
Public-spirited citizens and civic organizations will be called upon to form a service corps to help the needy.
Membership in the corps will be voluntary. Members will pay a minimum of NT$200 a year in dues to finance relief projects.
A special bank account will be opened to accept donations from civic organizations, schools, businesses, factories and mines. Special mail boxes will be set up to solicit employment.
Citizens and groups making significant contributions will be recognized with public citations.
Use of social welfare funds by the Taiwan Provincial Government will be kept in line with the Well-to-Do program. The Provincial Government said main tasks will include care of young and old, vocational training, construction of low-cost housing, family planning, employment assistance and other social welfare programs.
The Provincial Government made the following suggestions to city and county governments:
- Regular appropriations should be made.
- Funds should be used for projects rather than general affairs.
- Emphasis on relief should be reduced by eliminating poverty.
- Requests for increased financial assistance should be made to the National Government.
Charity organizations, industrial and business organizations and philanthropists will be asked for donations.
Insurance benefits third of population
Nearly a third of the population benefits directly or indirectly from the labor insurance program initiated 23 years ago, Interior Minister Lin Chin-sheng reported.
Speaking at his first press conference as minister, Lin said policyholders exceeded 1,119,000 at the end of November.
Insurance payments amounted to NT$4,175,299,000 during the 23 years.
The program benefits workers in manufacturing, fishermen, retail clerks, sugar cane farmers, janitors, drivers and others.
The government continues to emphasize maximum employment, Minister Lin said. Fifteen job placement centers are in operation. A special committee working under the Cabinet promotes employment of youths.
In the first 10 months of 1972, job hunters numbered 151,031. Job offers totaled 301,970. Placements by the employment centers reached 109,594.
The interior minister also said:
- Organization of county and city governments will be revised early in 1973.
- A National Park Committee will be established.
- Family planning programs will be continued.
- Industrial safety and sanitation measures will be strengthened.
- Labor education will be expanded.
- Two hundred and thirty-nine periodicals lost their licenses in 1972 as the result of their suspension of publication. Thirteen licenses were revoked because of violation of the publication law. Periodicals in existence total 1,366.
Legislative Yuan passes Child Welfare Law
Maltreatment of children by foster parents will terminate the right of adoption and prosecution under the law.
This provision is found in the Child Welfare Law passed by the Legislative Yuan.
The law forbids foster parents to:
- Compel children to perform acrobatic stunts which are dangerous or harmful to health.
- Place deformed children on exhibition.
- Use children in begging.
- Expose children to harmful movies, pictures or photographs.
- Deprive children of education.
- Force children into matrimony.
- Kidnap, sell or buy children or offer them as collateral.
- Compelling children to commit crimes or other wrongful acts.
"Children" are those under 12 years old.
Acupuncture used in painless childbirth
The Veterans General Hospital has utilized acupuncture to make childbirth painless.
The needle therapy was applied to half a dozen women in labor. None suffered pain, according to a hospital spokesman.
The Veterans General Hospital is one of three Taiwan hospitals investigating acupuncture as a pain killer and healing art with the support of the National Science Foundation. The other two are the National Taiwan University Hospital and the Tri-Service General Hospital.
Developed in China over a thousand years ago, acupuncture has defenders and detractors. Practitioners acclaim acupuncture as a cure-all; others rank it with faith healing.
President concerned about ex-servicemen
Premier Chiang Ching-kuo has conveyed President Chiang Kai-shek's concern to retired servicemen.
In an address to the annual vocational assistance meeting of the representatives of former servicemen, the Premier described veterans as a major force in the anti-Communist struggle.
He urged them to keep their self-respect, not to forget their responsibilities, not to lose their self-confidence, to work hard and to hold fast to the principle of anti-Communist national salvation.
More than 400 representatives of retired servicemen attended the four-day meeting sponsored by the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen.
Vocational training contributions slated
Productive enterprises employing at least 40 workers will be required to make contributions to vocational training.
The money will be deposited in a bank and administered by a supervisory committee. The fund will be used to finance the following categories of training:
- Newly recruited workers.
- Refresher courses for skilled workers.
- Courses for foremen.
- Courses for instructors and managerial personnel.
Subscriptions to the training fund will be decided through consultations of employers and employees. Subscribing companies may benefit from the training courses by sending personnel for training or employing trained personnel.
Employers may not charge trainees in case they conduct the training courses themselves. If training lasts for a minimum of six months, the trainee's term of service with the employer should be prescribed in the employment contract.
Institute of Technology will spur research
The projected Institute of Technology will incorporate three research institutes under the Ministry of Education, according to a law approved by the Legislative Yuan.
The 13-article law specifies that the Institute shall be a corporate body established with a Central Government grant of NT$1,000,000 plus the assets of the Union Industrial Research Institute, Mining Research and Service Organization and Metallic Industrial Research Institute.
The institute will derive income from services and donations. The National Government may provide additional funds equal to the combined budgets of the three institutes.
Functioning under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the institute will have seven to nine directors. Board members will be appointed from among experts and investigators in science and technology at home and abroad.
Chairman and directors will be appointed by the Cabinet for terms of three years which may be extended except that reappointments shall not exceed half the number of directors.
A three-member supervisory board will be appointed by the Cabinet for tenure of three years. Members must be experts in science and technology. The chair man will have no vote.
The institute shall be headed by a director assisted by one or two deputy directors, all appointed by the Cabinet. The director shall serve under the direction and supervision of the board of directors.
The institute may be disbanded if it fails to accomplish its assigned mission. In that eventuality, assets shall be returned to the Central Government.
Economic Affairs Minister S. Sun said the institute will play a major role in expediting the development of sophisticated and precision industries.
The three component institutes were not able to develop fully because of restrictions imposed on government organizations. As a corporate body, the new body will have greater flexibility and may receive private support.