Taiwan Today

China News—Years of progress The English-language China News cited Taiwan's progress during the last 35 years. The paper said: "Taiwan was a mess—not only because of Allied bombings but also as a result of Japanese neglect. "Japan was never eager to see a prosperous and industrialized Taiwan. "Education of the Chinese was discouraged. They were supposed to learn just enough so they could obey their masters. "For 50 years, the Japanese tried to impose their way of life on Taiwan but without any of the incentives that were applied in the home islands. "Japan wanted Taiwan to provide rice for Japanese. So the people of Taiwan ate sweet potatoes. "Taiwan industry was discouraged. The island was to be a rice, sugar and salad bowl. "The Chinese people of Taiwan were happy to be back under Chinese rule in 1945, although things did not change as fast as they may have wished. "The island was just another province at the end of World War II and the Pacific conflict. "President Chiang Kai-shek saw Taiwan's immense potential and initiated a series of steps for development and defense: land reform, industrialization, expansion of education and encouragement of a mixed economy. "The economy of today is based on the successful admixture of free enterprise with a few state enterprises and a government that cares about both. "At the same time, Taiwan is more than an Asian zone of prosperity. It is the model province of China because of freedom, democracy, justice and equality as well as its riches of agriculture and industry. "Taiwan is the heartland of Chinese culture. The mainland is cut off from both cultural creativity and recapitulation. "The Republic of China encourages the new and respects the old. "Red China has no literature. Art is neglected. Music is empty. Drama serves as a stage for Communist propaganda. "Many foreigners are not aware of the artistic ferment to be found in Taiwan writing, dancing, painting, sculpture and music. A new golden age of Chinese culture looms just ahead. "If Taiwan has done well, it is also on its way to doing better. The per capita income of US$2,000 is just the beginning. "Economists predict that by the 21st century, Taiwan will be among the most advanced of the developed lands." Taipei newspapers—Visitors from afar Taipei newspapers welcomed Prime Minister P. W. Botha from the Republic of South Africa. The English-language China Post said: "Prime Minister Botha was Cape leader of the National Party and minister of defense for 12 years before he was elected his party's leader September 28, 1978. The National Party has been the ruling party of South Africa since 1948. "This visit is in reciprocation for the visit of Premier and Mrs. Sun Yun-suan to South Africa in March of 1980. "Intensified cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of China is mutually rewarding since both countries are strongly anti-Communist. The RSA has no diplomatic ties with Communist countries. "Since the RSA and ROC elevated their relations to the ambassadorial level April 26, 1976, their friendly ties have been further strengthened. "Two-way trade of the two countries was US$200 million in 1979. The RSA is rich in natural resources: gold, platinum, manganese, vanadium, fluorspar, antimony, coal, copper, diamonds, iron ore, lead, nickel, uranium, vermiculite, zinc and so on. Some of these minerals are needed by the ROC. "The Fourth Session of the ROC-RSA Economic and Technical Cooperation Conference expanded cooperation between the countries." The China News said: "When Premier Sun Yun-suan visited the Republic of South Africa earlier this year, he made an important new friend. "The visit of Prime Minister Botha is one of the most important of a foreign statesman to Taiwan in 1980. "Prime Minister Botha and Premier Sun have already learned to like and trust each other. "Now the South African leader has an opportunity to meet and talk with President Chiang Ching-kuo. Their discussions about international relations will be meaningful for both countries. "Most important to friendly relations is the fact that both Republics face difficulties and doubters. "Many members of the free world community do not accept the thesis that the Republic of China is the legitimate sovereign for all China and will return to that position de facto as well as de jure in time to come. "South Africa understands and accepts our stand. These friends from afar are as dedicated to anti-Communism as we. "All of us are aware of the charges raised under the general slogan of apartheid. "This is a tremendously complex matter. It has taken many years to reach its present stage and will be many more years in moving on to a final resolution. "We do have confidence in their sincerity. We do believe that they are seeking a solution which will be equitable for African whites, African blacks and Africans of mixed race. "When Premier Sun visited southern Africa, he had opportunity to see several black African states that are getting along with South Africa to their mutual advantage. "White Africans of South Africa are not interlopers. They did not drive out tribesmen. For the most part, they occupied empty lands. "In those lands they have a mighty and prosperous country. Blacks have prospered, too. "Possibly there have been inequalities. This is common when races meet on the same ground. "However, judging by what Premier Sun and our other representatives have found, the South Africans are trying hard to find a program of gradualism which will assure justice without regard to race. "In this connection, no one in this world is more sensitive about race—or at least Chineseness—than the people of China. "We want to know more about South Africa. Prime Minister Botha's presence here is convincing evidence that the South Africans want to find out more about us." Central Daily News—Relations with U.S. The Chung Yang Jih Pao (Central Daily News) urged renewal of direct ties between governments of the United States and the Republic of China. The paper said: "Premier Sun Yun-suan said in an interview with Andrew Nagorski, chief of Newsweek's Hongkong office, that relations should be normalized between the U.S. and ROC for the mutual benefit of the two countries. "Since U.S. derecognition of the Republic of China in December of 1978, substantial relations between the countries have continued to develop. But the non-governmental framework based on the Taiwan Relations Act does not provide a sufficient foundation. "The U.S. policy of uniting with the Chinese Communists against the Soviet Union has not curbed Soviet ambitions. Instead, it has led to Soviet expansion in Afghanistan, Cam Ranh Bay and the Sea of Japan. "The Chinese Communists have no strength to help the U.S. in restraining the Soviet Union. Nor do they have parallel interests with the United States in Korea, Indochina, the Middle East or on limitation of nuclear weapons. Once Peiping becomes strong with U.S. help, it may turn on its benefactor at any time. "The China problem must be solved by the Chinese. The unification of China must be accomplished on a basis of freedom and democracy. Only if the Chinese Communists abolish Communism can China be united." China News—Another bluff The China News said the Chinese Communists are trying to deceive the United States again. The paper said: "Red China's protest to the United States over diplomatic privileges granted representatives of this country puts the shoe on the wrong foot. "It should be the Americans protesting to the Chinese Communists, who are violating the terms under which they exchanged recognitions with the United States. "Red China did not object to the maintenance of U.S. trade, cultural and other relations with the Republic of China. "Diplomatic-style immunities were envisaged from the first as a part of the new U.S.-Taiwan relationship. "The Chinese Communists have no grounds on which to base any complaint. "They are trying to intimidate the Americans into believing that the continuing relationship with the Republic of China could bring on a crisis in Peiping-Washington relations. "They do not really give a hoot about the exchange of diplomatic privileges by Washington and Taipei. "Their real objective is destruction of the whole U.S.-ROC relationship, beginning with the continued sale of American weapons for the defense of Taiwan. "The Chinese Communists are blaming the United States for the Republic of China's refusal to negotiate its surrender and extinction by suicide. "A source in Peiping said that such arm sales are making the Republic of China intransigent and compelling Red China to resort to 'other means' to take over Taiwan. "There is an implication that the Chinese Communists are running out of patience—in other words, that military action will be contemplated if the United States continues to help the Republic of China defend itself. "This is not a new threat. The Chinese Communists have been making it off and on ever since they pulled the wool over Jimmy Carter's eyes and convinced him that playing the 'Red China card' would terminate Soviet aggression. "They believe that having fooled the Carter administration once they can do so again. The seriousness of Ronald Reagan's bid for the presidency has them running scared; they are aware that the former California governor wouldn't be so easy to gull. "By now even President Carter has learned that Red China is all bark and no bite. "Red Russia has no fear of a regime which couldn't even march into Vietnam to carry out a punishment. The punishers were punished. "Nor has the United States any reason to think that the Chinese Communists will precipitate a crisis in American relations over either the diplomatic immunities or weapons issues. "If there is to be any break in the Peiping-Washington relationship, it will have to be initiated by the United States. Red China has entrenched itself in the U.S. capital and couldn't be driven out with anything less than dynamite. "Chinese Communist threats of 'other means' to deal with the Republic of China is idle talk for now. "Possibly the Red Chinese could launch a military force in the Taiwan Straits—but what would happen to it on the way or as it neared Taiwan shores? "Any landing would cost the Chinese Communists a million men—maybe more—and would open the gate for mainland people to rise up against tyranny and oppression. "As long as the United States continues to supply defensive arms to this country, the Chinese Communists will not dare resort to military adventurism. "This is the reasoning behind the Taiwan Relations Act passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Carter." Central Daily News—Phony capitalism The Chung Yang Jih Pao pointed to the unsound investment climate on the Chinese mainland. The paper said: "The first foreign-invested factory in mainland China was recently closed because of poor administration and low efficiency. This substantiates complaints by foreign businessmen that mainland China is short of personnel capable of handling modern technology and management. "According to Chinese Communist regulations, foreign investors have no right to hire or fire. The employment of labor is controlled by the Communists and wages are channeled through the authorities before workers are paid. Without modern technology and the guidance of investors, products cannot be satisfactory in terms of quality or delivery dates. "The Chinese Communists consider foreign-invested factories as training schools. Once workers become skilled, they are replaced with new recruits. "After the Chinese Communists have absorbed the technology provided through foreign investment, workers, backed by the authorities, mount struggles against factory owners and seize their property. This has been the experience of many Chinese businessmen since the Chinese Communist usurpation of the mainland in 1949. "The current policy of the Chinese Reds in supporting capitalism is an attempt to assimilate technology to nourish the sick economic system. When they are strong enough, the Communists will reject capitalism again."