(Approved by the 12th meeting on March 24,1978)
The Sixth Session of the First National Assembly of the Republic of China was held in accordance with the Constitution in Taipei, the seat of the Central Government, from February 19 to March 25, 1978. The delegates elected from the various political parties and all parts of the country and by various ethnic and occupational groups, women's organizations and overseas Chinese exercised their political power on behalf of all the people of the Republic of China to assure the nation's rebirth.
As this was the first meeting since the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek, this Assembly paid tribute to his greatness. The Assembly understood that its mission was epochal and especially difficult. Considering that the foundations of our country's democratic and constitutional government are stable and strong, that our great anti-Communist undertaking is gaining momentum despite the world changes and the turmoil wrought by the Communist rebellion and that our 800 million compatriots enslaved under the tyrannical Communists are eagerly waiting to be rescued, the members are unanimously agreed that the strengthening of democratic and constitutional government, the firming up of the whole people's determined anti-Communist solidarity, the augmenting of the nation's total war capability, the accelerating of actions leading to national recovery and the freeing of mainland compatriots are the supreme tasks of the country at this critical moment. The National Assembly is wholly confident and determined to support the government in carrying out these tasks.
In keeping with the national goal and the people's requirements and on the basis of the responsibility assigned by the Constitution, the members have pooled their wisdom and cooperated harmoniously in arriving at the following decisions:
First, the Assembly elected Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo President and Mr. Shieh Tung-min Vice President of the Republic of China, in accordance with the common aspirations of the people. They have been given the heavy responsibility of carrying on our heritage and opening up a new horizon for national recovery and revival. In view of Mr. Chiang's wisdom and wide experience and considering his loyalty to the nation, his courage in fulfilling his duties, his strong anti-Communist determination, his world prestige and his immense contributions to national construction, the members are confident that he will surely be able to lead the people of the country, military and civilian alike, in overcoming any and all difficulties, carrying out the late President's will of anti-Communism and mainland recovery more expeditiously and opening a new vista for our country. We are also convinced that Mr. Shieh will give full play to his dauntless anti-Communist spirit and his zealous love of the country and people by devoting his loyalty and wisdom for the nation.
Second, the members reviewed the national situation. They recalled the late President's immortal remark that "in safeguarding the Constitution, no action is more powerful than the recovery of the mainland, and of the weapons for recovering the mainland, none is stronger than respect for the Constitution." They are convinced that the administration's guideline of "meeting all the realistic challenges with perseverance and fortitude, attaining the national goal with careful planning and judicious judgment, and winning the final victory with utmost optimism" is the cardinal principle in implementing the current national policy of opposing Communism for national recovery. But the carrying out of this national policy requires the united strength of the people. In mobilization, equal importance must be attached to what we do at home and abroad. In suppressing the Communist rebellion, equal importance must be attached to operations in the frontlines and behind the enemy's lines. In construction, equal importance must be attached to the psychological aspect and the material aspect. This is the only way to smash the Chinese Communists' united front conspiracy, encourage the anti-Communist forces on the mainland and bring our national determination to full measure so as to destroy Chinese Communist despotic rule.
Third, the Assembly has made proposals to express the people's enthusiasm for thoroughly carrying out the democratic and constitutional government envisaged in the Three Principles of the People. The members believe that in the light of current favorable developments, the country will become richer and stronger, human rights will be advanced, society will be come more stable, the ideal of equitable distribution of wealth will be carried out, educational opportunity will be equalized and the spiritual life of the people will be enriched. All of these sincere proposals are aimed at meeting the requirements of the nation's anti-Communist undertaking, promoting democratic and constitutional rule and at the same time contributing to mobilization for the suppression of the Communists. These are intended to draw a sharp contrast between our society of ethics, democracy and science based on the Three Principles of the People and the Communist tyrannical rule of poverty and dictatorship, and to carry out the four historic tasks set by the late President Chiang Kai-shek of "realizing the Three Principles of the People, recovering the Chinese mainland, rejuvenating the national culture and remaining in the democratic camp."
The Assembly has studied the turbulent changes in the world and solemnly declares that:
- The Republic of China is the standard-bearer of Chinese culture. For thousands of years, Chinese culture - based on the philosophy of revering Providence and cherishing the people and of seeking common progress through mutual help - has stressed the virtues of benevolence, filial piety, loyalty and magnanimity, has furthered international justice and has adhered to the principle of faith and friendship. Thanks to these virtues, China can ensure its independence and occupy a crucial position in the world like a monolith in the rapids. In this world of widespread difficulties, the Chinese spirit has a promising prospect.
- Free democracy and Communist totalitarianism are two in compatible ideas, two absolutely different ways of life and two political systems that can by no means coexist. The trial of force between the two is a life or death Armageddon pitting justice against evil, and it cannot be averted by detente, appeasement or "normalization of relations." If any country continues to harbor the illusion of "peaceful coexistence," or tries to check one force of violence with another force of violence, it must inevitably confront the disastrous consequences of the destruction of thought and culture, changes in the way of life and political collapse brought on by Communist violence.
- The Republic of China is an independent and sovereign nation and the Central Government in Taiwan is the sole lawful government of the Republic of China. The existence and growth of the Republic of China provide a bulwark of Asia and constitute a stabilizing force in the free world. The determined anti-Communist struggle of the Republic of China is not merely to guarantee its own security but also to discharge its responsibility for assuring world peace. The free world should never overlook the Republic of China as a symbol of justice, nor its strategic position and its strength as a modern country. Asian nations should unite with the Republic of China, so that each can save itself through common salvation.
- The Chinese Communists are rebelling against the Republic of China. Chinese Communist tyrannical rule has engendered collective resistance among the enslaved Chinese people of the mainland and the regime's protracted power struggle has been leading it toward disintegration and collapse. The free world should not be deceived by the false image of stability resulting from the regime's temporary redistribution of power. Nor should the free world be nudged by its united front tactics, deceived by the regime's phony propaganda stressing "modernization," or be unnerved by its tricks of nuclear blackmail.
- All of the people of the Republic of China respect the consistently high moral spirit of the United States and adamantly oppose the unfortunate impairment of the position and dignity of the Republic of China by a few Americans bent on appeasing the Chinese Communists. Members of the Assembly earnestly hope that the government of the United States will maintain its friendly relations with the Republic of China, honor its treaty commitment, sustain the common interests and security of the two countries and forthrightly bring to a halt the process of "normalizing relations" with the Chinese Communist regime.
- People of the Republic of China are firmly opposed to the mistaken move of the Japanese government in negotiating and proposing to sign a so-called "treaty of peace and friendship" with the Chinese Communist regime and are determined to uphold the government of the Republic of China in maintaining all Chinese rights and interests. The Assembly solemnly advises the Japanese government to terminate these efforts at this critical moment.
The Assembly is deeply aware of the craving of all our compatriots for national recovery. It raises the following cogent guarantees and appeals:
- Overseas Chinese and the people at home are of the same flesh and blood. This Assembly expresses wholehearted respect and admiration for the overseas Chinese anti-Communist struggle. It will do its utmost in urging the government to protect overseas Chinese interests, help solve overseas Chinese difficulties and encourage overseas Chinese to work hard for the prosperity of their host countries.
- This Assembly is concerned about the suffering and hardships of loyal compatriots from various ethnic groups shut behind the enemy's lines or taking refuge in foreign lands. They will do their utmost in urging the government to increase help to these compatriots in seeking freedom and joining the anti-Communist ranks so they can also be liberated from Chinese Communist oppression and deception. When the mainland is recovered, they will be helped to carry out self-government and attain a high level of development.
- This Assembly is especially concerned about our 800 million compatriots on the Chinese mainland. Unable to endure Communist persecution any longer, they have ignited a furious anti-Communist conflagration. The Assembly will do its utmost in urging the government to extend the human rights movement to the people behind the Iron Curtain and to undertake the counterattack at the earliest possible time. The Assembly is strongly opposed to the compulsory return to the mainland of Chinese refugees by the Hongkong authorities and earnestly hopes the authorities will desist from this inhuman action and adhere to the traditional spirit of freedom and democracy. It calls on all righteous people of the world to engage in the immediate rescue of these refugees. The Assembly appeals in particular to mainland compatriots to mount their courageous struggle against the Communists and for human rights. It also appeals to Communist soldiers and cadres to rise up against tyranny and destroy despotic rule from within.
The Assembly solemnly reminds its compatriots in this bastion of national recovery that the survival of the nation and the people and the success of the anti-Communist undertaking depend on their sincere solidarity. They must forge their minds into a single entity and struggle to destroy Communism and terminate humiliation. We must assure that the source of the perverse Communist threat is forever removed from Chinese soil and human society.
This Assembly must solemnly reiterate at this time that there is absolutely no so-called "Taiwan issue," and that the only remaining issue is the China issue. The conspiracy of "Taiwan independence" is merely a united front tactic that the Chinese Communists have used over and over. The Assembly affirms that only when the Iron Curtain of the Chinese Communists is demolished and the 800 million people of the mainland are freed of their chains can the free Republic of China be re-established and a prosperous and peaceful society be assured for humankind.
This Assembly solemnly declares to the world that the territory of the Republic of China shall not be changed unless the change is effected through a resolution of this Assembly and that the Spratly and similar other islands are the territory of the Republic of China and will never be abandoned.
In the simultaneous undertakings of implementing the Constitution and suppressing the Communists, the National Assembly has established a democratic and constitutional system, maintained the legal tradition of the Republic of China, solidified the leadership center of the nation and fulfilled the functions of democratic and constitutional government. At this critical moment in revival of the national fortunes, the Assembly has continued to carry out its historic mission. This Assembly will strive, together with all compatriots at home and abroad and in front of and behind the enemy lines, to obliterate Chinese Communist rule, remove the red stains from Chinese soil and convey the intact Constitution of the Republic of China to the mainland so as to establish a new China of the people, by the people and for the people based on the Three Principles of the People.
President Yen Chia-kan’s address to the closing meeting of the sixth session of the First National Assembly
March 25, 1978
The sixth meeting of the National Assembly ends successfully today. With realization of the real needs of the country and the people and faithfully expressing the people's will, members of the Assembly have solemnly exercised the powers delegated them by the Constitution to maintain and glorify the constitutional tradition of the country and to perpetuate and develop the national prospect. On behalf of the government, I wish to extend to all of you my heartfelt appreciation for your services to the country.
This session has been held amidst the changing international situation and at a moment when the Chinese Communists' internal crisis is deepening and the shape of our national future is in sight. With earnest aspiration to serve the nation, all of you have exemplified a high level of patriotism and sincerity and a common will. The late President Chiang Kai-shek said: "Representatives of the people should demonstrate our political wisdom and democratic practice in action and fact, show that we uphold constitutional rule and loyalty to the country, and harden our confidence in the final victory of counterattack and national recovery." This session has lived up to the instructions of the late President, established a model for implementation of the constitutional system and further developed the functions of democratic government.
At this time of promise for the national destiny, the Assembly carried out its sacred duty under the Constitution and elected Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo President and Mr. Shieh Tung-min Vice President of the Republic of China. This is the wisest decision and greatest contribution of the meeting. Your sacred ballots have attained the ideal of selecting the wise and the capable, fully represented the will of all the people and provided a model for democratic constitutional government. You have fulfilled your responsibilities and duties to the country and have shown that you are confident and determined in promoting national recovery and reconstruction. National sovereignty belongs to all the people and the national destiny is deter mined by all the people. Today, all of the people - at home and abroad and in front of and behind the enemy lines - are jubilant and inspired by the elections of President and Vice President. This is testimony to the people's whole hearted support and proves that you have reflected on their common will and have lived up to their sincere trust.
Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo is wise, intelligent, capable, firm in adherence to principle and loyal to the country. He is a dedicated administrator who cherishes the people. He is of the highest integrity and has recorded remarkable accomplishments. Especially since assuming the premiership, he has shown dignity, self-reliance and a calm demeanor in time of adversity while presiding over state affairs, carrying out major construction projects and coping with changes in the international situation. He has been careful in his planning and his judgments.
Despite innumerable difficulties, he has continuously augmented the national power and raised the people's standard of living, thereby assuring sustained stability, progress and prosperity. He can take over the unfinished work of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, our National Father, and the late President Chiang Kai-shek, undertake great tasks and open up a new horizon. Mr. Shieh Tung-min is patriotic, diligent and open minded, and has made outstanding contributions in provincial administration. He is an ideal choice to provide assistance in carrying out state affairs. I am convinced that Mr. Chiang can organize a vigorous administration and lead all the people, military and civilian alike, in strengthening construction in this bastion of national revival and accomplishing the task of national recovery, thereby duplicating the Northward Expedition of the National Revolution and giving rise to the glorious reunification of China. This reflects the fact that wherever there is a National Assembly of great endeavors there will be a leadership center of great endeavors.
National construction has been advanced with every passing day during recent years. This has been made possible by government and people who, as though sailing in the same boat through stormy seas, have contributed their wisdom, courage, concerted efforts and their blood and sweat. The soldiers and civilians in this bastion of national revival are united. The overseas Chinese can distinguish loyalty from treachery; wherever they may be, they incline toward the free fatherland. Moreover, the 800 million people on the mainland who are struggling against Chinese Communist tyranny and for freedom and democracy will serve as our vanguards and rear guards in the battle for national recovery. The convening of the National Assembly has symbolized our expanded solidarity and enhanced harmony. As a result of its declarations, overseas Chinese every where are aware of the free fatherland's concern and more firmly inclined to support us. Our suffering mainland compatriots are more strongly inspired by love of their race and their kin; they feel the tie of common aspirations with compatriots at home and abroad and are more strongly of the view that they share honor or disgrace and joy or sorrow with us. The National Father said: "The trend of a nation emerges from the mood of its people." The sixth meeting of the National Assembly has merged the minds of the people into one and combined their efforts in a single movement. The meeting has shown its confidence in facing all challenges, difficulties and hardships, and has further developed the functions of democratic constitutional government.
All of you honorable members have displayed an attitude of justice and selflessness in reviewing state affairs and offering proposals. You have weighed the aspirations of the people and focused your attention on the current requirements of the nation. In doing so, you have demonstrated matchless fortitude, firmness, determination and confidence. The loyalty and courage shown in the making of your suggestions have not only advanced the basic spirit of the democratic system but have convinced us that only a democratic government based on the will of the people can be considered open and progressive. Your great knowledge and constructive proposals command my admiration. I believe that the new administration will carefully adopt those proposals that are helpful to national modernization and completion of the great task of anti-Communism and national recovery.
The Republic of China stands as staunchly as a mountain and is the nemesis of the Chinese Communist regime. This stems from the fact that we have a Constitution enacted by the National Assembly, government based on the Constitution and democratic constitutional rule jointly carried out by government and people. This great strength is more powerful than any tangible weapon. The Chinese Communist regime is now in difficulty both internally and externally. It has attempted to use the convocation of the "political consultative conference" and amendment of the "constitution" by the "national people's congress" to pretend that a change to peaceful posture has been made and thereby to intensify its united front operations, confuse the world and hoodwink our mainland compatriots. Two stages of the ugly farce have ended and a new round of power struggle is already under way. We have always remained in the democratic camp, insisted on an anti-Communist national policy and had complete confidence in our final victory. Today we should continue to strengthen our vigilance. We shall deal a blow to the disintegrating Chinese Communist regime with the total force of our harmony and unity. We shall never desist in our struggle of anti-Communism for national recovery so long as human rights have not been restored to our mainland compatriots and so long as the tyrannical Communist regime continues to exist.
As the late President Chiang Kai-shek instructed us: "In upholding the Constitution, no action is more powerful than the recovery of the mainland; in recovering the mainland, no weapon is stronger than respect for the Constitution." He also said: "If we want to live in freedom and have our lives protected, we must safeguard the Constitution and democracy with our lives." The Constitution of the Republic of China was written in accordance with the instructions of our National Father, under the revolutionary leadership of the late President and as a consequence of the blood and sweat of hundreds of thousands of comrades who sacrificed themselves in dozens of years of struggle. So it is that we insist the legal tradition established by and based on the Constitution must be safeguarded and that the national dignity of the Republic of China can never be debased. We shall take the intact Constitution back to the mainland when it is recovered, so that our compatriots there will once again live under the democratic constitutional rule of the people, by the people and for the people and share in the well-being of freedom, equality, peace and happiness assured by the Three Principles of the People. Only in doing so can we measure up to the earnest aspirations of our mainland compatriots and console the soul of President Chiang Kai-shek resting in heaven.
I am grateful to the country for cultivating me and to all the people for their kind support. I can never forget the kindness of the late President for training and promoting me. I am also indebted to all of the honorable members for their guidance in past years. I shall always keep your kindness and friendship in my heart. I hope you will continue to guide me after the completion of my term of office. The National Father said: "The National Revolution is the responsibility of all the people." The late President said; "No one can escape the national crisis; no one can escape his responsibility." Although I shall soon leave public office, I shall follow you as a private citizen in accordance with these instructions, and shall continue to work and struggle under the leadership of the new administration. I shall devote the rest of my life to loyal and diligent service for the country. I hope you will encourage me.
Honorable members: The war to suppress rebellion for national construction is a sacred war to uphold constitutional rule and carry out democracy. Each of you is a righteous spiritual fighter. The furtherance of the Republic of China's democratic constitutional rule has opened up a bright future for our country. We shall surely be able to defeat the disintegrating Communists with the great unity of all the people in this huge struggle. The democratic Republic of freedom and justice will assuredly triumph over the evil Peiping regime of totalitarianism and slavery. Let all our people, military and civilian alike, march with broad strides toward the mainland under the vigorous leadership of our government of great endeavor and reconstruct a democratic China.
President Yen Chia-kan's Youth Day message
March 29, 1978
Sixty-seven years ago today, young fighters from various provinces of the country responded to the call of our National Father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, for national salvation through revolution. They contributed their pure and burning patriotism to the mounting of the 1911 revolution. The heroic deaths of the 72 martyrs enshrined at Yellow Flower Mound awoke the people and created the opportunity for national rebirth. Several months later, the Wuchang Revolution succeeded and the Republic of China was established. Today's festival commemorates the immortal martyrdom of these revolutionary warriors. This is a day of which all Chinese youth can be proud.
The average age of the 72 martyrs was only 29. All of them were ambitious and outstanding young people. A number were well known scholars. They made the Revolution their career and had no concern for their lives. For the sake of independence and the freedom of the country and the people, they did not begrudge abandonment of their schooling. They left their parents and parted forever with their wives. In his last will, Lin Chueh- min said he sought "to help the people of the world love one another." Another Martyr, Lin Yin-min, said that "though I cannot bear to do it, I have to give up my life." How pure and sincere were their motives! How courageous and heroic was their conduct! Their spirit of giving up their families for the good of the country, of abandoning the private interest for the public interest and of loyalty to the nation and the people represented the virtue of the Chinese people and served as a deathless example for Chinese youth.
Youth is the golden time for a man and also the decisive moment for his success or failure, his glorification or abasement. Chinese youths have inherited the noble legacy of the revolutionary martyrs in dedicating and uniting themselves to struggle for the country. They have passed the tests of the times by resisting foreign aggression, eradicating the traitors within, suppressing the Communists and implementing constitutional rule. They have consequently become the central force of the era. Their dedicated love for the country and the people bespeaks the fact that the lot of youth and the fortunes of the nation are inseparable. In the great undertaking of anti-Communism and national recovery, youth has risen to serve as the revolutionary vanguard. President Chiang Kai-shek said: "In the last half century, the destiny of China has been continuously decided by the great alliance of youth," This bears out the magnificent history in which youth has taken up the work of the martyrs.
Youth in this bastion of national recovery enjoy the blessings of stability and prosperity and have free schooling and free choice of their careers. Such golden opportunities did not exist in the past. As a result, young people have achieved greatly in scholarship and work. They are determined to contribute to the national cause through science and their endeavors. In the present stage the government has been uniting all the people to undertake various construction projects in order to increase national strength, quickly carry out the task of mainland recovery and liberate our compatriots. Attainment of this great goal requires youth to contribute their wisdom, blood and strength. This is to say that the nation's summons to youth is urgent and that youth's responsibility to the country is sacred.
The Chinese Communists occupying the mainland are caught up in entangling contradictions which have given rise to endless struggles. They have subjected intellectuals and the masses of youth to rabid persecution. They have compelled young people to abandon ethics and moral principles, negated the value of knowledge and rationality, and destroyed culture and education. They have continued to "send down young people for learning in the villages and other remote areas" and forced them to engage in "selfless labor." The sent-down youths now total 60 million. These young people repudiated the Chinese Communists long ago as they struggled for the freedom to acquire knowledge, the freedom to choose a job, the freedom of marriage and the freedom of movement. They have become the mainstay of anti-Communist strength. This proves that the bloodstained measures of the Chinese Communist regime cannot suppress the conscience and dedication of youth. Consequently, there is no force of violence which can prevent youth from rising up against tyranny or making their way to freedom at the risk of their lives.
The revolutionary responsibility of the Chinese youth of today is to illumine the way for the youth of the mainland with the light of the Three Principles of the People. They must mount vigorous actions against Communism and totalitarianism so as to unite youth at home and abroad, and in front of and behind the enemy lines, so that their strength can be aligned in preparation for a concerted, decisive strike at the Chinese Communists for the benefit of nation and people. Actually, this is more than a matter of the youth in this bastion of national revival having pledged themselves as pillars of national construction and as the spearhead of the anti-Communist movement. Overseas Chinese youth of today also have manifested the spirit of the Chinese people and turned their hearts to the free motherland. Young people on the mainland are strong enough to mount an uprising and join forces with those who provide striking power from the outside. All true sons of the Chinese people are incompatible with the Chinese Communists and have sworn to carry out the great task of national recovery and construction.
The undertaking of national recovery and construction will fail if we wait for the world to change and for the enemy to collapse. Success depends on our own struggle. As youth are the inheritors of our historical and cultural legacy and the creators of our bright national future, they must set their sights high in order to embark upon great careers and achieve great successes. In setting out on life's work, youth must first of all embrace lofty goals and a sense of responsibility in keeping with the spirit of "it's all up to me." Young people must make up their minds to serve society, contribute to the people's greatness and show determination to sacrifice for the country. They must raise their sights higher and broaden their minds. Only when they can "seek a better life for all mankind" will they fulfill the purpose of life and "create a life beyond life." This is the way to live up to the meaning of life. If young people waste the prime of their life in hesitation and bewilderment, they will fail in all aspects of life. This will be not only their personal loss but also the loss of the country.
In the world of today, the balance between material life and spiritual life has been tipped to the former by the spectacular development of materialistic civilization. Moral standards are on trial. As a result of this, the moral cultivation of youth has become a major problem of the times. The Chinese people recognize inhumanity and are prepared to suffer any disgrace or insult to accomplish their tasks. They are polite and righteous; they emphasize fraternity and love. Reassertion of these national moral guidelines can provide the basic position for young people as they set out on their careers and can serve as the starting point for their studies. They must try to cultivate themselves with morality, forsake vainglory, abandon lives of decadence and break their luxurious habits. They ought to inspire the people with their own moral cultivation in order to fulfill satisfactorily the responsibility of intellectuals. It may be observed, incidentally, that knowledge is the fundamental means of promoting public welfare. More knowledge equates to more accomplishments. This is especially true in today's era of rapid scientific advance. Young people need to work hard and carry on their studies assiduously so they can catch up with others. To summarize, our young friends need to express themselves in morality and work hard at their studies. Additionally, they will require a strong constitution and overflowing vitality in order to take up their heavy responsibilities.
In this “scientific era of the masses,” the requirement of youth is not personal heroism but “esprit de corps.” In this great time marked by the inherited glory of the past and replete with hope for the future, all of us must contribute our thought and also give attention to harmony and cooperation with others. We thus can multiply the effort of contributions and give rise to boundless combined strength. In group life, everyone should respect discipline and order so as to understand the discipline required in living together, the validity of the need to help each other and the way of fulfilling the spirit of "taking the example from others and helping them practice virtue." Our sense of honor and responsibility must be strengthened at the same time. This is a requirement of "group education" and also the goal of youth today in its struggle to advance the life of mankind.
Young friends of the nation! The era ahead of us is full of hope. It is also an exceptional and a good time for young people to assure the success of their life's work. Youth must strengthen themselves in the spirit of self-reliance, carry on their endeavors tirelessly, unite sincerely and march forward courageously. In the sacred war of anti-Communism, youth must serve as our gallant vanguards and in national construction must serve as our great engineers. Youth must accept the clarion call of the nation in unison and write a new page in the history of the Revolution.
President Yen Chia-Kan’s address commemorating the third anniversary of the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek
April 5, 1978
Three years has elapsed since the passing of our beloved great leader President Chiang Kai-shek. These have been three years of pious grief and also three years of continuing to carry on. Because of the widespread effects of his virtue and his far-reaching love, our grief over his passing has increased with each new day even as our spirit of perseverance in endeavor has risen higher and higher. We are determined to carry on his work and carry out his last testament with action. We shall become more diligent and courageous.
I still remember that when President Chiang left this world, men and women, old and young, paid tribute by kneeling in the street, sobbing and setting up altars to express their boundless grief. But this also expressed their determined solidarity. Their spontaneity reflected their sincerity. The scene is as vivid as though it happened yesterday. In these three years, compatriots of the whole country have prayed silently, day and night, because they are inspired by the late President's spirit, which shines as brightly as the sun, and by his great virtue, which will endure as long as the earth in the universe. This is also because he was not only the President of the country and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but also the savior of the people, the precursor of anti-Communists, the father of the national revolutionary army, a teacher of democratic constitutional government and our ranking leader, respected and supported by all the people of the country, military and civilian alike. He was truly a great man of history, acclaimed by the world, and a moral paragon embodying the Chinese cultural tradition and the oriental spirit of benevolence.
President Chiang's profound and revealing instructions provide the criteria for our conduct in relations with others and also serve as the lamplights along our road of march and point the way for our endeavors of national recovery and reconstruction. In the last three years, we have grieved because of the passing of our great leader, but we have never mitigated the determination to carry out our tasks. We have been saddened but never frustrated. To the contrary, we have become more fortitudinous with the passing of time and more courageous with buffetings from without. This attests to our most sincere respect for the President and our eternal memory of him.
In eulogizing the greatness of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, our National Father, the President said: “The personality and spirit demonstrated by Dr. Sun Yat-sen throughout his life was based on the foundation of benevolence. Whether in dealing with others or in carrying out his duties, he never failed to show his spirit of benevolence and fraternity…Subsequently, Dr. Sun excelled others in wisdom and courage, but these qualities were used to save the country and the people." We believe that President Chiang's great wisdom, great benevolence and great courage were comparable to the same qualities of the National Father. He, too, made benevolence his cornerstone. In his lifetime, he never deviated for a single moment, at a single place or in a single matter from his dedicated preoccupation with loving the country, the people and humankind. He said that:
- "Cosmic truth lies in benevolence, which embodies the meaning of human life."
- "Benevolence IS fundamental to the salvation of mankind; the finite bounds of altruism and benevolence are to be found in an open and public society to which everyone is dedicated."
- "Benevolence is a training for self-restraint and for the development of altruism and the spirit of self-sacrifice."
- "The practice of the Revolution is altruistic, not selfish. It is for love of the people, not to harm them. This is fraternity and the application of benevolence."
These statements are succinct but profound. They are solemn and righteous. They exemplify the President's greatness in loving the people and being kind to all creatures, and also a spirit of sacrifice characterized by the fact that he was worried before others were worried and happy only after others were happy. The President also said: "Traitors and bandits begin with cruelty and violence, so they will vanish as the result of cruelty and violence. As we are motivated by benevolence, so we shall succeed because of benevolence." This bespoke his complete confidence that "benevolence has no enemy" and that "tyrannical rule is bound to disappear."
The thought of benevolence gives rise to a positive and adventurous view of life. This clearly expresses the President's philosophy that life's aim is to promote the life of humankind as a whole and that the meaning of life is to create life beyond life. In his lifetime, the President was worried when the people were worried and was joyful when the people were joyful. He sympathized with the distressed and was eager to help the weak. This was an expression of his revolutionary way of life. He showed filial piety to his parents, served the nation with loyalty, dealt with others sincerely and attended to his affairs with justice. This was sufficient to encourage others and make him their permanent paragon. His simple life style and his sternness with himself are inspiring. All of the people of this country know that the President abstained from alcohol and tobacco. He drank water instead of tea. He said: "Although I have become the supreme commander of the nation, except for the required attire and the protocol befitting the office, I am wholly a soldier in my life, behavior, thought and spirit." This shows that the President practiced his philosophy of loving the people and being kind to all creatures; he was an exemplary person.
President Chiang's spirit and instructions provide a guideline for government administration that makes the philosophy of benevolence its highest directing principle. In keeping with this guidance, we have been expediting construction projects with benevolent rule and uniting the people with love in the hope of making daily progress with ever greater stamina in the face of adversity. In the period between the passing of the President and the recent convocation of the National Assembly, we can think of these major developments to console the President's soul resting in heaven:
- People are more united. The departure of the President from this life gave rise to a feeling of national crisis. But as a result of his great spiritual inspiration, all of us perceived that we were sailing through stormy seas in the same boat and that we needed to cast our lots together. At home and abroad, and in front of and behind the enemy's lines, we needed to share tragedy or triumph with one heart and one will in the spirit of common sorrow and common endeavor. This heightened the spirit of national unity with President Chiang's spirit and drew on his will to rally the will of the nation. The current evidences of harmony and unity throughout the country give expression to our confidence that we can line up the will of the multitudes and make it as impregnable as the great wall of a city. The atmosphere of great harmony will give rise to great vitality. Everyone will contribute his wisdom, demonstrate his courage, concentrate his mind and labor with blood and sweat to carry out the great undertaking of national recovery and attain great national unity.
- Increased progress has been made in national construction. In the confusion of this changing world, we have consistently adhered to our national ideal and the set course leading to our target of national construction. We have heeded President Chiang's last testament calling upon us to "realize the Three Principles of the People, recover the mainland, rejuvenate the national culture and remain in the democratic camp." We have augmented our military strength for national defense, developed our substantive relations with foreign nations and raised our cultural and educational level. In economic affairs, we have given attention to industrial development, accelerated rural construction and expanded foreign trade. At the same time, we have undertaken a nationwide program of equalizing land owner ship to give further implementation to our land policy, built more houses for the people to promote social welfare and held elections for various public offices to enlarge the functions of democratic government. In the last three years, we have sown seeds and continued our efforts to strengthen the foundations of democratic and constitutional government, pushed forward construction for national modernization and implemented the ideal of the equitable distribution of wealth to improve the lives of the people.
- A new situation has been unfolded in the battle against Communism. The Chinese Communists on the mainland are plagued by entangling contradictions and ensuing repetitive struggles. They recently have tried to use the convocation of the "political consultative conference" and revision of the "constitution" by their "national people's congress" to advance their united front moves by a pretense of peacefulness, hoping thereby to confuse the world and deceive the people on the mainland. The end of this farce means the beginning of a new round of power struggle. Nevertheless, the Communists' predicaments at home and abroad tend to compel them to step up their shameful tricks of infiltration and subversion. We must continue to strengthen our preparations and heighten our vigilance. Our three armed forces are fully prepared to take up the task of ensuring the security of our bastion through either their visible or invisible combat capability. They can carry out the task of annihilating the enemy at any time. In his last testament, the President said: "For the last twenty years and more, our bastion of freedom has become ever sounder and stronger and we have incessantly conducted political warfare against the evils of Communism." In the last three years, our political warfare against the Chinese Communists has been intensified rather than eased. The Chinese Communist regime has been plunged into chaos and is disintegrating; no faction can bring the situation under control. We have reason to believe that this situation will harden the determination of our mainland compatriots to overthrow Communist tyranny, and that they will respond to our forces so that we can attain the sacred goal of mainland recovery both from within and without.
- Our leadership center has been strengthened. In accordance with the Constitution, the sixth session of the National Assembly elected Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo President and Mr. Shieh Tung-min Vice President of the Republic of China on March 21 and 22, thus adding a precious page to the history of our constitutional government. When this good news was broadcast, all our compatriots, at home and abroad and in front of and behind the enemy's lines, were jubilant and expressed their support, indicating that the choices made by the Assembly had expressed the common aspirations of the people. Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo was personally guided by President Chiang. He is exceptionally wise and outstandingly courageous. He adheres to principle in discharging his duties and is filial to his parents and loyal to the country. He is diligent in his conduct of the administration, cherishes the people and is credited with remarkable accomplishments. This has been especially true since his assumption of the premiership. He has presided over fundamental government undertakings, expedited the Ten Major Construction Projects and coped with changes in the international situation in such a way as to measure up to the late President's instruction to "be self-reliant with dignity, calm in time of adversity and judicious in planning and making decisions." He has carried out these instructions. In the face of compounded difficulties, he has increased the national strength, raised the living standard of the people and sustained our stability, progress and prosperity. He is capable of succeeding to the unfinished work of the National Father and the late President and assuming great undertakings. Mr. Shieh Tung-min is loyal and patriotic. In discharging his duties, he is impartial and diligent and, in consequence, is the best choice to help the President. With these two leaders, the national tradition can be maintained and the late President's work can be continued. It is fortunate that we have them as successors of leadership. I am convinced they can organize a strong government to undertake great endeavors and lead the people, military and civilian alike, in the opening of a new vista for the nation.
All my colleagues attending this meeting today were influenced, accultured and cared for by the late President. They have a deep perception of the late President's spirit, will power and integrity. With his love still in their hearts, they will strive to express their gratitude to him. I was cultivated and promoted by him and shall never forget his benevolence and great kindness. When the President passed away, I was grieved at losing my teacher and my reliance. Thinking of his inculcation and his trust in laying such extraordinary responsibility on my shoulders, I have not dared to neglect my duty for self-interest. To the contrary, I have exerted myself in seeking self-reliance. This has been intended to show my sincerity in expression of gratitude and is also a compulsion of my conscience. In these three years, I have sought in every moment to make the President's mind my mind and his work my work. I have adopted his teachings as my guiding plan and have always encouraged myself to carry them out. I still recall that when the late President took the oath of office for his fifth term as President, he said: "I have summoned the courage and determination… to continue contributing my loyalty and my knowledge to the struggle against the traitorous Maoist Communists for national life and survival in order to complete another Northward Expedition of our National Revolution and accomplish once more the reunification of the Republic of China. I swear to do my best to fulfill my duty, hoping sincerely to prove worthy of the Founding Father of our Republic and the revolutionary martyrs and to live up to the expectations of the people of the whole nation." As the Communist peril is yet to be removed and the lost territory is still to be recovered, we should concentrate all the strength of the nation in carrying out this lofty goal as quickly as possible.
The late President's sarcophagus has been temporarily emplaced at Tzuhu, a scenic, simple and solemn location. Not only our compatriots, military and civilian alike, are often going there to pay him tribute, overseas Chinese and visitors from friendly nations also go there to express their respects as soon as they arrive in this country. Tzuhu has become a sacred territory of benevolence and a symbol of fortitude. On each memorial occasion, the occurrence of a major event or the rise of a baffling problem, I have been going to Tzuhu to pray at the shrine and pay my respects to the late President. I use the President's instructions as my lodestar and regard his spirit as my reliance. His voice and his appearance are still clearly in my ears and my eyes, and this has increased my respect for him and sharpened my memory of him. However, the President's sarcophagus is kept at Tzuhu only temporarily. We must remove it to Nanking for permanent enshrinement at an early date. This is the responsibility of every Chinese who loves and respects the late President. This is also a responsibility which accompanies that of carrying out the goal of national recovery and construction.
Our Founding Father said: "The National Revolution is the responsibility of all the people." President Chiang said: "A revolutionary must be responsible from beginning to end. When he makes a promise, he must be able to carry it out, and only if he is able to carry it out can he make the promise." We must heed the instructions of the National Father and the late President by continuing our efforts and accelerating our struggle under the leadership of the new administration so that we can recover the mainland quickly, take the Constitution to the mainland and remove the President's sarcophagus to Nanking for permanent enshrinement. As we do this, we shall console the President's soul resting in heaven and live up to the fervent expectations of all the people.
Premier Chiang Ching-kuo's oral presentation to the Legislative Yuan of the Central Government's general budget proposal for fiscal 1979
April 7, 1978
I am honored to come here today to present the administrative program and the budget proposal for the fiscal year 1979.
This general budget proposal is the 30th since the government came to Taiwan. Confucius said: "At 30, I stood firm." So in the time sequence, this budget is deeply significant. Recalling the first general budget for fiscal 1950, we find that its approved total was only NT$1,296 million; but income from bonds and foreign and domestic loans amounted to more than NT$409 million, or 31.6 per cent of the total annual revenue, compared with tax and monopoly revenues totaling 32.6 per cent. The general budget for fiscal 1979 as submitted to you today amounts to NT$155,082 million. Of the total, tax and monopoly revenues account for 70.2 per cent and construction bonds for only 6.1 per cent. From the changes in these 30 general budgets, we can readily see that the country - traveling an arduous path through crises, doubts and buffetings - has been taking step after step in seeking, first, stability and consolidation, and then progress, development and growth.
The general budget proposal was compiled on the basis of the government's policies and the administrative program. The Executive Yuan submitted in January a written report on its policies for FY1979. It has also submitted the administrative program for FY1979 together with the budget proposal for your information and approval.
The government's administrative program and budget proposals are continuous and coherent. The general budget for FY1979 was carefully compiled after weighing the execution of the general budgets for FY1977 and FY1978. The audit of revenues and expenditures for FY1977 by the Ministry of Audit showed a surplus of NT$5,732 million. Review of the budgetary execution in this fiscal year (FY1978) shows government revenues and expenditures to be normal. Consequently, the construction bonds of NT$4,800 million will not be issued. It is expected that the execution of the budget in this fiscal year will be continuously balanced.
The economic growth rate reached 8.08 per cent last year, the second year of the Six-Year Economic Development Plan, and commodity prices were stable. This was accomplished despite the fact that the world economy had not recovered from recession and that the country suffered damages from drought, flood and typhoons. It is gratifying that this achievement was brought about by the perseverance, solidarity and struggle of all the people.
Looking to the future, we expect that the coming year will be difficult both politically and economically and at home and abroad. We shall need to be more confident and more courageous in our struggle in order to overcome
all difficulties. Our basic administrative guideline is to seek development with stability. In budgetary matters, we shall follow the principle of planning to spend only to the extent permitted by income. Annual revenues and expenditures for FY1979 each amount to NT$155,081,687,758, up 18 per cent over FY1978 but under that year's increase of 18.5 per cent. Requirements of the various sectors are large but the budgets cannot be increased proportionately because the increase in annual revenues has been limited by the slowness of economic recovery. As was the case last year and corresponding to our consistent administrative program, annual expenditures are budgeted in the following priority order: national defense and foreign affairs; economic development and communications; social welfare; education, science and culture; general administrative activities; and subsidies to local governments. A FY1979 budget of NT$8,358 million is allocated to raise the salaries of government employees, including the military and school teachers, by an average of 20 per cent so that their living standard can be continuously raised.
I now should like to make further explanation of the administrative and budgetary highlights:
First, with respect to national defense, the percentage of the total expenditure is still the largest among the various functional categories. This is because we must consider national defense and the military buildup as the national task of first importance. In order to maintain and enhance national defense capability, unit training and morale of the armed forces will be continuously augmented to promote intangible combat capability; equipment and ordnance production will be modernized and developed scientifically to promote tangible combat capability. To reach the tangible goal, military investment and expenditure for national defense science research have been increased in percentage year after year. We have budgeted funds for augmenting military equipment and for national defense science research as an even larger percentage of the total national defense expenditure in FY1979, so as to carry out a self-reliant national defense policy. We shall continue to move in this direction.
Second, regarding education, science and culture, scientific development is the moving force behind our efforts to seek progress and a prerequisite for bringing about construction for national modernization and for strengthening national defense power. This policy will be continued in FY1979. A fund of NT$3,638 million is earmarked for scientific and technological development. Research and experimental facilities at colleges and universities will be expanded so as to improve the quality of higher education and to coordinate education with economic development. Vocational education will then be strengthened and primary education improved. The strengthening of vocational education will be undertaken primarily from the budgets of provincial and local governments. As to the improvement of primary education, funds will come from the budgetary resources of provincial and local governments and from a Central Government subsidy of NT$410 million. We cannot emphasize only the material side through economic expansion but must attach equal importance to the spiritual side. Spiritual promotion depends primarily on strengthened cultural construction. To serve this end, we shall establish a cultural center in each city or county as one of the Twelve Projects to be carried out in FY1979. This project will be started by the Taiwan Provincial Government with budgetary support of NT$150 million. Additionally, the Central Government's general budget proposal for FY1979 will include funds for the promotion of fine arts education, rehabilitation of scenic spots and historical relics, increase of the national fund for literature and the fine arts, and relocation and expansion of the Central Library.
Third, in terms of economic construction and social welfare, the Ten Major Construction Projects will be successively completed in the next fiscal year. A capital outlay of NT$26,338 million will be needed in FY1979. The new Twelve Projects will be planned, designed or undertaken beginning in FY1979. The Ten Projects and subsequent 12 are multi-purpose, multi-benefit public engineering projects and the required capital must be invested if our country is to attain developed status. In FY1979 these projects require total capital of NT$60,951 million, for which most arrangements have been carefully made. Expenditures have been calculated practically and budgeted by the central and local governments. To improve our economic structure, we shall continue to develop the heavy, chemical and precision industries. However, we are not going to neglect agricultural development and the increasing of farm incomes. Equal importance will be attached to industrial and agricultural development as well as mutually helpful urban and rural development. For this reason, funds required for expedited rural construction, improvement of urban traffic and environment, implementation of national housing projects, public health and sanitation, and social welfare have been continuously allocated in the Central Government's general budget for FY1979. These funds are directly or indirectly required for economic development and social progress.
The foregoing has been a general explanation of the budgeted expenditures compiled in coordination with the administrative program. I now should like to give a brief account of the budgeted revenues. Tax revenues in FY1979 have been entirely estimated on the basis of the present level of taxes and rates and in the light of revenue in creases in recent years and other related factors. Tax and monopoly revenues are budgeted at NT$108,870 million, 70 per cent of total revenues for FY1979. This percentage is slightly lower than the 71 per cent for FY1978, and the 16.7 per cent rate of increase for tax and monopoly revenues is also lower than the increase in the general budget. This is attributable to the fact that the government could not make big increases in view of the economic situation and because of the policy of granting tax reductions and exemptions to encourage investment. However, the direct tax share of 19.1 per cent of regular revenues is up from the 17.1 per cent of FY1978. Non-tax revenues have been budgeted practically after careful estimation. The general budget includes the sum of NT$19,075 million, 12.3 per cent of total annual revenues, consisting of proposed construction bonds of NT$9,500 million and accumulated surpluses of NT$9,575 million from previous budgets. Although this percentage is higher than the 8.5 per cent of FY1978, it is not inappropriate considering the government's capital outlays of NT$46,372 million in FY1979.
Finally, I should like to explain the key points of three bills attached to the general budget proposal submitted to your esteemed Yuan for approval:
First, the affiliated unit budgets and consolidated statement consist of business and non-business portions. The two categories of budget are closely related to the government's economic, social and cultural construction. In keeping with requirements of the Six-Year Economic Development Plan, the state enterprises have compiled a fixed capital investment total of NT$88,790 million for continued construction of nuclear and thermal power plants, expanded oil prospecting, enlargement of steel mill and shipbuilding projects, heavy machinery manufacturing, development of heavy and chemical industries, and augmenting the efficiency of banks and postal and telecommunications services. The nonprofit revolving fund is budgeted at NT$14,194 million mainly to coordinate with economic development and communications construction, enhanced social welfare and sanitation facilities, pro mote historic traditions and culture, purchase rice and provide necessary loans. The total capital investment of the affiliated units is budgeted at NT$102,884 million. Sources are national treasury appropriations, NT$15,948 million; domestic and foreign loans, NT$57,885 million; and depreciation fund, public accumulated fund and operational surplus, NT$2,951 million.
Second, the draft Statute for Enforcement of the Central Government's Budget for FY1979 is a revision of the Statute for Enforcement of the General Budget for FY1978. As mentioned be fore, the budgetary scale for FY1979 is expanded and the revenues from public bonds and accumulated from previous fiscal years occupy a bigger percentage. The statute was revised to effect more appropriate coordination between distribution and execution of annual expenditures and appropriations from the national treasury.
Third, for the second additional budget proposal as a special budget for the second-phase construction of the North-South Freeway, revenues from construction bonds and payments of debt each amount to NT$4,100 million. As you know, the North-South Freeway from Keelung to Fengshan is scheduled for completion in FY1979 according to the original plan. The special budgets of the four phases for which legislative procedures have been completed will be audited in time. The special budget of the second phase includes revenues from construction bonds of NT$4,100 million scheduled to be refunded in installments over a period of seven years under the original financial plan. How ever, when the bonds were floated in FY197 6, the Ministry of Finance shortened the repayment period to three years in the light of the situation then obtaining in the capital market and with a view to facilitating the floating of bonds and reducing the national treasury's burden of interest. All the bonds thus mature in FY1979. But the original special budget cannot accommodate such an expenditure and an additional budget must be compiled. According to the original financial plan, the floating of construction bonds should be the financial source for the repayment of these debts.
To summarize, my report is an explanation of the key