The Republic of China had an African chief of state as its guest of honor for the Double Tenth National Day celebration in Taipei this year. President Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic came for a stay of 10 days and shared the dais with President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek as a quarter million people cheered the three at a mass rally in the Presidential Square.
President Bokassa is the second foreign chief executive to attend the Double Tenth ceremonies since the seat of government was moved to Taipei in 1949. The first, also from Africa, was President Hubert Maga of Dahomey, who came for a six-day visit in 1963. However, three other African chiefs of state have visited Taiwan at other times: Presidents ,Philibert Tsiranana of the Malagasy Republic, Hastings Banda of Malawi and Diori Hamani of Niger.
Located on the northern fringe of the Equator, the Central African Republic has an area of 236,000 square miles, which makes it slightly smaller than Texas. It is landlocked by Chad in the north, Sudan in the east, the two Congos (Brazzaville and Kinshasa) in the south and Cameroun in the west. Although the climate is hot in lowlands, the annual temperature averages 80 degrees Fahrenheit because much of the country is rolling plateau with an average elevation of 2,000 feet.
The country of 2 million people formerly was the French Overseas Territory of Ubangi-Shari in Equatorial Africa. It gained full independence August 13,1960, and was immediately recognized by the Republic of China. Technical cooperation with the ROC began in April of 1964 with the dispatch of a five-man Chinese handicraft mission. Half a year later, President David Dacho was lured by US$4 million worth of "economic aid" offered by Peiping's "premier" Chou En-lai and turned his back on Taipei. The handicraft mission was transferred to Rwanda.
Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa, then the CAR Army Chief of Staff, was aware that Communism could only bring disaster to his country. He deposed Dacha on New Year's Day of 1966 and severed diplomatic ties with Peiping a few days later.
Taipei and Bangui resumed diplomatic relations in May of 1968 and signed an agricultural cooperation agreement the following month. On the 10th National Day of the CAR on December 1 of that year, Admiral Ni Yue-si, personal chief of staff to President Chiang Kai-shek, went to Banqui as the ROC's special envoy. In the following month, free China sent a 12-man agricultural mission to the CAR for demonstration and extension of rice culture.
Dragon dancers perform for visitors from Africa. The Chinese dragon is a symbol of dignity and benevolence. (File photo).
President Bokassa arrived in Taipei the morning of October 8 accompanied by a party of 23. His entourage included Foreign Minister Nestor Kombot-Nauguemon, Industry Minister Enock Lakoue, Ambassador to China Christophe Maidou, Presidential Secretary-General Alexis Tcheouti, Roving Ambassador Sombo Dibele and Protocol Chief Emmanuel Bongopassi. President Chiang Kai-shek and Vice President Yen Chia-kan met the visiting chief of state at Sungshan Military Airport. A 21-gun salute echoed from the hills just north of the field.
Clad in the uniform of the CAR's Supreme Commander, wearing a dozen medals and rows of campaign ribbons, and accompanied by President Chiang, President Bokassa reviewed the honor guard and shook hands with leading Chinese officials and members of Taipei's diplomatic corps. Among those greeting the African leader was an old friend, Hiu Nai, first ROC ambassador to Bangui after the resumption of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Hiu returned home last August after suffering a back injury in a traffic accident. General Bokassa, a soldier of great modesty, saluted each of those introduced to him. Handshakes and sincere greetings of "Enchante, merci beaucoup!" followed.
In his welcoming remarks, President Chiang said President Bokassa's arrival on the eve of the Republic of China's National Day "bears special significance" and praised his "brilliant achievements" in the CAR's development programs. The Chinese chief executive said he hoped the two could exchange views on the world situation and other problems of mutual interest during President Bokassa's stay. "I believe our discussions will contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between our two countries and the safeguarding of world peace," President Chiang said.
President Bokassa responded that it was a great honor and privilege to visit the ROC and pay his respects to the Chinese government and people. He said he would take advantage of the opportunity to study the free Chinese economic, technical and cultural development programs. "It has long been my hope to meet with President Chiang Kai-shek, one of the greatest statesmen in the world," he said.
After the 30-minute airport ceremonies, the two Presidents rode together to the Grand Hotel, where the Presidential Suite was placed at the disposal of President Bokassa. Thousands of citizens lined the streets to cheer the visitors. Huge arches decorated with greetings in Chinese and French spanned boulevards leading to the airport, Grand Hotel and Presidential Building.
In the afternoon, President Bokassa received Vice President C.K. Yen and acting Foreign Minister James Shen and decorated them with the Order of Distinguished Service and the Order of Knight, respectively. The visitor then paid a courtesy call on President and Madame Chiang at the Chungshan Building in suburban Taipei. In the evening he was the guest of the Chinese first couple at a state dinner, also at the Chungshan Building, which is dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Founding Father of the Republic of China.
Before the banquet, President Chiang decorated President Bokassa with the Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade and five members of his entourage with other medals. President Bokassa decorated his host and hostess with the Order of Grand Cross.
Proposing a toast to his guest of honor, President Chiang said: "Although our two countries are geographically far apart, we already have had cordial relations. Both of our two countries have been dedicated to overcoming many difficulties and obstacles in an effort to achieve a common goal - preservation of our national integrity and independence."
In the current situation, the President continued, freedom-loving countries should unite closely to safeguard the peace and security of the world. In response, President Bokassa said his trip had three purposes: (1) to give him further understanding of the brave Chinese people, (2) to study the ROC's development programs and (3) to meet with President Chiang and strengthen friendship and cooperation. "The Central African Republic is a newly independent country," he said. "We are eager to develop as fast as we can. To this end, our national policy is to cooperate in wide range with all the freedom-loving and democratic countries of the world."
"I believe I will benefit a great deal from your rich experience and knowledge," Bokassa said. "Out talks will certainly help cement cooperation between the Republic of China and my country."
On the morning of October 9, President Bokassa received Mayor Henry Kao of Taipei, who presented him with a gold key to the city. The African leader then went to the Yuanshan Martyrs' Shrine, where he laid a wreath in honor of China's war dead. He was accompanied by Vice President C.K. Yen, Ambassador to the CAR Leao Tchong-kin and Chief of the General Staff Lai Ming-tang. Later, he saw the Agricultural Exhibition Hall at National Taiwan University and paid au unscheduled visit to the Cheng Hsing Rehabilitation Center sponsored by Madame Chiang for treatment of crippled children.
In the afternoon, Vice Minister of Education Wang Yah-chuan escorted the African chief of state on a visit to the National Palace Museum in suburban Taipei. He spent more than an hour viewing Chinese art treasures and was especially interested in ivory carvings. Chiang Fu-tsung, curator of the museum, presented him with a five-volume set of reproductions of the Chinese paintings and other masterpieces exhibited there.
The Central African Republic's Embassy gave a reception at the Grand Hotel in the evening to honor its chief executive. More than 500 Chinese officials and foreign diplomats attended.
On the morning of the Republic of China's National Day, President Bokassa appeared on the balcony of the Presidential Building with President and Madame Chiang. The day marked the 59th anniversary of the Wuchang Uprising which toppled the Ch'ing dynasty and led to the birth of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912. After a brief address by President Chiang, the African chief of state told the 250,000 people gathered in the square that "the friendship between the government and people of our two countries will be strengthened and ROC-CAR cooperation will become more productive." His broad smile and gestures of friendship drew repeated applause from the crowd and cheers of "Long Live the Central African Republic!"
In the afternoon, Economic Affairs Minister Y.S. Sun and Foreign Minister Nestor Kombot-Nauguemon discussed matters involving more Chinese assistance, especially industrial know-how, for the Central African Republic.
The morning of October 11, President Bokassa and his party left for Taichung by train to begin a four-day visit to central and southern Taiwan. Accompanying the visitors were Economic Affairs Minister Y.S. Sun, Ambassador to Bangui Leao Tchong-kin and Protocol Chief Wu Wen-hui. At the Taichung Railway Station, they were welcomed by Taiwan Governor Chen Ta-ching, Speaker Hsieh Tung-min of the Provincial Assembly and Mayor Lin Cheng-chiu of Taichung. After inspecting a student band and honor guard, General Bokassa proceeded to scenic Sun Moon Lake for an overnight stay. He observed that his country has no trains. "But I took many train rides in Europe," he added, "and feel the trains here are better and more comfortable." Taiwan's railway was the first in China. President Bokassa was the first foreign chief executive to see the island from a train.
Sun Moon Lake is at a cool 2,500 feet and one of Taiwan's favorite vacation spots. After cruising the lake, General Bokassa and his party visited the Teh Hua Community, an aborigine village of the Tsou tribe. That evening the African visitors enjoyed six Tsou dances-bamboo, harvest, rice-hulling, hunting, worship and marriage. The program ended with "Let's Dance Together!" President Bokassa wore a hemp· palm hat as he danced with the girls. He found aborigine music and dance much like those of Africa.
President Bokassa arrived at Chunghsing New Village, the site of the Taiwan Provincial Government, at midday October 12. The African leader sought to learn as much as possible about Taiwan agriculture and rural life. After a briefing on the provincial administration and a luncheon given by Governor Chen Ta-ching, he saw the land consolidation project at Lungching village in Taichung county. He visited two farm houses and marveled at the presence of such electrical appliances as rice cookers, TV sets, refrigerators and washing machines. He stopped at a brickyard and learned that daily production exceeded the CAR's by 10 times.
General Bokassa reviews guard of honor at the Military Academy, one of the Rupublic of China's leading schools. (File photo).
The next morning, the African visitors took the train farther south. They inspected the Tainan Experimentation Station of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation, the largest enterprise in free China, then continued on to the southern port of Kaohsiung. This bustling city has a population of 850,000, the largest harbor and a complex of heavy industry. They were the dinner guests of Economic Affairs Minister Y.S. Sun at the Kaohsiung Grand Hotel.
October 14 was given over to inspection of military, establishments. General Bokassa reviewed the Navy and Marine Corps at Tsoying in the morning and inspected the Military Academy at Fengshan in the afternoon. As an army officer, he was greatly interested in the facilities of the academy. He offered a silent prayer to the memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who founded the school at Whampoa near Canton in 1924, and urged cadets to complete the tasks of their time under the leadership of the Supreme Commander. Chiang Kai-shek was the first commandant at Whampoa.
The African visitors left Kaohsiung for Taipei by train the next morning. Director Chen Shu-hsi of the Taiwan Railway Administration presented President Bokassa with a silver plaque engraved with an image of Confucius and these words of the Sage: "Isn't it a great pleasure to have friends coming from afar?"
The travelers had lunch in the dining car and arrived in Taipei at 3 p.m. When Bokassa learned that TRA had just completed double tracking of the mainline between Changhua in central Taiwan and Tainan, he told Director Chen, "We surely will ask for your help when we start our railway development program."
Back in Taipei, the President and his party were dinner guests of Vice President C.K. Yen at the Guest House. The Vice President praised the role of the "Bokassa Plan" in developing the natural resources of the Central African Republic and expressed hope the two countries will cooperate closely to uphold international justice and maintain world peace.
President Bokassa responded by saying there is an identity of views between the Republic of China and his country on major world problems. He said the peoples of the two countries are working for lasting peace and advocating establishment of an international community based on justice and noninterference in the domestic affairs of others.
October 16 was an especially busy day for the African visitors. President Bokassa visited the Chinese Display Center in the morning. He was interested in Taiwan-made motorcycles and rode on one. He smiled at Richard Wang, general manager of the center, and said, "Tres bien!" Bokassa said many of the products on display, especially daily necessities, textiles and farm machines, are needed by his country. "Trade ties between our countries should be strengthened," he said. Manager Wang presented the visitor with a pair of palace lanterns, a cradle, six marble vases, 30 marble ashtrays and 30 mini sewing machines.
The African chief executive then went to the Presidential Building to call on President Chiang for the second time. The talks lasted 90 minutes and were extremely cordial and wide-ranging. Also present for the ROC were Vice President C.K Yen, Presidential Secretary-General Chang Chun, Economic Affairs Minister Y.S. Sun, acting Foreign Minister James Shen and Ambassador to the Central African Republic Leao Tchong-kin. On the CAR side were Foreign Minister Nestor Kombot-Nauguemon, Industry Minister Bnock Lakoue, Ambassador to China Christophe Maidou, Presidential Secretary-General Alexis Tcheouti and Roving Ambassador Sombo Dibele.
James Shen and Nestor Kombot-Nauguemon subsequently signed a trade pact and agricultural cooperation agreement at the Taipei Guest House. The trade accord provides reciprocal preferential treatment and encourages Chinese investments in the Central African Republic. It is valid for five years and renewable.
The agricultural cooperation agreement is an extension of that signed June 16, 1968. Under the new agreement, which is valid for two years, the ROC will send more farm technicians to the CAR. The scope of cooperation will be enlarged.
In the afternoon, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Y.T. Wong accompanied President Bokassa to the China Farm Machinery Manufacturing Corporation plant near the airport. The President tried a power tiller and was given a powered insecticide sprayer by Hsiao Tseng, board chairman of the corporation. To promote mechanized farming, President Bokassa said, "We shall order a large quantity of farm machines from your country."
President Bokassa gave a press conference at the Grand Hotel at 5 p.m. He described President Chiang as a "great statesman" and said he was impressed with achievements of the Chinese people in economic, cultural and military fields. The conference opened with the African leader's introduction of himself. He was born to a chief's family at Bangui on February 22, 1921, and was orphaned at the age of 6. He joined the French Army at 18 and has been in uniform for more than 30 years. He married a Vietnamese girl while fighting in Indochina. They have four children. "Because of my background," Bokassa said, "I believe I know Asia better than many Africans."
He said the Central African Republic is endowed with natural resources, including diamonds. The precious stones are found about a meter underground. Mining is undertaken by volunteers with the approval of the authorities. The government does not know the exact amount of production because many foreign visitors dig for diamonds without registration. Asked whether he would welcome voluntary diamond miners from Taiwan, the President raised his hands and said, "Avee joie!"
Turning to ROC-CAR technical cooperation, President Bokassa said he had full confidence in Chinese technicians and told the following anecdote:
About eight months ago, the Central African Republic government imported some asphalting machines. Operating manuals were printed in English and German. Few CAR technicians could read either of the languages. Recalling the many triumphs of free China's agronomists, President Bokassa asked the Chinese government to send three engineers versed in the English language.
One of the greatest rewards of his visit, said the African chief of state, was realization of how much the brickmaking know-how of Taiwan could assist the economic development of his country. The CAR has only one brickyard with small output. He saw many brickyards and visited a Taichung kiln turning out 5,000 bricks a day.
Acting Foreign Minister James Shen gave a farewell dinner in honor of the state guest at the Hoover Restaurant. President Bokassa declined to use knife and fork, saying, "I want to eat a Chinese dinner the Chinese way."
The African chief executive bade farewell to President Chiang at the latter's Shihlin residence in suburban Taipei the morning of October 17. The two Presidents talked for 20 minutes, then rode to the airport together. President Bokassa and his party left for Tokyo en route to New York to attend the 25th anniversary of the United Nations.
In a joint communique, the chiefs of state said they had "exchanged views extensively on the world situation and discussed measures to promote mutual understanding." They expressed gratification over the close cooperation of the two countries in the United Nations and other international organizations.
"The two chiefs of state reiterated their determination to uphold principles of the United Nations Charter and Human Rights Declaration, asserted that peoples of the world have the rights of preserving their own cultural heritage and of self-determination and condemned the action of intervention in domestic affairs by any other nation."
President Chiang expressed his admiration for President Bokassa's achievements in accelerating national development and promoting the welfare of his people.
President Bokassa was impressed by the progress made by the Chinese government in economic development, land reform, social reconstruction, military prowess and culture.
The communique noted that a technical cooperation agreement and a trade pact had been signed and that consular and investments accords were pending.
The communique also said that:
1. A joint ROC-CAR commission will meet alternately in Taipei and Bangui to make suggestions for further cooperation.
2. Chinese Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Y.T. Wong will visit Bangui in November of 1970.
3. A Chinese mission of entrepreneurs and experts will go to Bangui before June of 1971.
President Bokassa expressed his "hearty thanks" to President Chiang for the warm welcome and hospitality of the Chinese government and people.
President Chiang "accepted with pleasure" an invitation from President Bokassa to visit the Central African Republic on a date to be decided later.
Commenting on the visit of President Bokassa, the Chung Hua Jih Pao (China Daily News) said: "President Bokassa helped save the African continent from communization when he overthrew his country's pro-Peiping government in 1966. As an anti-Communist leader, President Bokassa has won the respect and friendship of the Republic of China. What he sees in Taiwan will serve as a model for his country."
The Chung Yang Jih Pao (Central Daily News) said: "The success of the Republic of China's farm technicians in the Central African Republic has served the cause of friendship between the countries. It is hoped that his visit will expand Sino-Central African Republic agricultural cooperation.
"President Bokassa is driving the Chinese Communists out of West Africa. His contributions to peace and democracy in Africa are commendable and must be continued."