Eleven days after his March 4-9 visit to the Republic of Vietnam, Vice President and Premier Chen left Taipei for a four-day stay in the Republic of the Philippines. He arrived in Manila March 20 to repay, on behalf of President Chiang Kai-shek, the 1960 visit to China by Carlos P. Garcia, then President of the Philippines.
Accompanied by Mrs. Chen, Vice President Chen headed by party of 22 members. Included were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Shen Chang-huan, Minister of Finance and Mrs. Yen Chia-kan, Deputy Minister of National Defense Liang Hsu-chao, Director of the Government Information Office and Mrs. James C. H. Shen, Commissioner Shen Tsung-han of the Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction, and Kwoh-ting Li, economic advisor to the Vice President.
Before his special CAF plane took off for Manila, Vice President Chen told reporters at the Taipei airport that he intended to talk with Philippine leaders "on the world situation with particular reference to the Far East." He said he would also discuss "problems of mutual interest so as to promote true understanding and cooperation between the two nations."
Chen stressed that the Republic of China and the Philippines "need each other for security. "
In Manila, Vice President Chen and his party received a red carpet welcome from the Philippine government and people. President and Mrs. Diosdado Macapagal met the Chens at the airport. The welcoming crowd numbered about 4,000, including many government dignitaries.
When the Vice President's plane touched down at 4 p.m., Philippines Education Secretary Alejandro R. Roces and Chinese Ambassador Tuan Maolan boarded it to greet the distinguished guests. The Chinese deputy chief-of-state then was introduced to President Macapagal.
After a review of the honor guard and a 21-gun salute, Vice President Chen received the keys to the cities of Pasay and Manila. They were presented by the mayors. The presidential salute, two guns more than a vice president would ordinarily receive, was a special Philippines honor to Chen and recognized that he was acting for President Chiang Kai-shek.
"We have brought with us today," Chen said, "the warm friendship as well as sincere wishes for solidarity of the people and the Government of the Republic of China to the people and Government of the Republic of the Philippines."
Chen said his flight from Taiwan gave him a magnificent view of Luzon which "vividly made us realize how close we are to each other. We are next-door neighbors."
The Chens then drove off with President and Mrs. Macapagal in a motorcade to the presidential residence at Malacanang Palace. They were guests of the Philippine first couple during their stay.
Banners and welcoming archs decorated Manila streets, proclaiming greetings in three languages—Chinese, Tagalog and English. More than 50,000 Filipinos and overseas Chinese lined up to shout "Mabuhay!"
State Dinner
In the evening of March 20, the Chens were guests of honor at a state dinner given by President and Mrs. Macapagal at Malacanang. Former President Carlos Garcia also attended.
Macapagals and Chens after exchanging decorations at Malacanang. (File photo)
The Vice President received the highest Philippine decoration, the Raja of the Order of Sikatuna, from President Macapagal. Mrs. Chen received the Golden Heart Presidential award.
Chen conferred upon Macapagal the Order of the Brilliant Jade and upon Mrs. Macapagal the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Cloud.
In his welcoming speech, President Macapagal pledged Filipino support in the common fight against Communism. The President said the Philippines and China "see in Communism a modern imperialism which, despite its several guises, cannot hide its true objective of world domination."
He said both countries are committed to uncompromising opposition to this alien ideology.
"United in a common objective, our two peoples can move forward in greater harmony," he declared.
The President assured China that "here you will find a people who are on your side in the common struggle to preserve a way of life which exalts the individual and the open society in contrast to the slave society of Communism."
In response, Vice President Chen said that although the Communists have been crushed in the Philippines, "the mainland existence of the Chinese Communists, who are continuing their schemes for expansion and subversion, constitutes an ever greater menace to the security of neighboring countries."
Chen pointed out that the Philippines and China not only are links in the chain of defense against Communism but are so situated geographically that they must help each other for the sake of common security.
Farm Exchange
The Philippines also welcomed the Chinese visitor as a land reform expert. President Macapagal declared that he was greatly impressed by success of the Republic of China, and said he believed the experience of Taiwan would be of help in Philippines' reforms.
Vice President tours agricultural college. (File photo)
The Manila Chronicle hailed Chen as "the prime mover of the most successful land reform program ever launched in Asia." Columnist Alfredo Roces wrote in the Manila Times: "Vice President Chen gives hope that land reform is possible to the satisfaction of everyone without bloodshed or the trampling of a person's rights."
In the morning of March 21, Chen conferred with land reform experts. Chen, principal architect of the highly successful Taiwan land program, pledged the fullest support of China to make the Philippine program a success. His proposal that the two countries exchange agricultural specialists was immediately accepted.
Chen suggested to the Philippines that it follow up its legislative land reform program with a training plan for extension workers.
"It takes people to carry out a program that will keep the Philippines out of Communist hands," he said.
Chen noted that Communists on the Chinese mainland are using land reform as a weapon in the economic struggle. However, he emphasized, the Communist program has failed because it has been used only to "hoodwink" the farmers and masses.
The next morning, Vice President Chen toured the college of agriculture of the University of the Philippines. He took off his coat, donned a "salakot" (Philippine straw hat), and sat in on a class where the process of treating abaca was being demonstrated. Dean Dioscoro Umali said of Chen: "He will make a good farmer."
Crowds of children provided a warm touch along the country ride, waving paper flags, smiling and cheering. Chen stepped down from his car and posed with a group of pupils from the Lemen Chinese elementary school.
At a luncheon given by Philippine Vice President and Foreign Secretary Emmanuel Pelaez March 21, the Chinese Vice President presented his host with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of the Brilliant Star.
Chen then called for unity of anti-Communist nations against the common menace.
He noted that some of these nations have "preconceived ideas and prejudices." But he said: "If we all appreciate that the whole free world is in the same boat, and that we would all perish if this boat of freedom should capsize in the torrents of Communism, then whatever differences that may exist among us will pale into insignificance and will cease to be an obstacle to greater solidarity.
"The age-old barriers of race, culture, language, custom and regional differences should be cast off to make way for the forging of a common anti-Communist front for the defense of freedom and democracy."
Common Destiny
The Chinese leader said the Philippines and China "share a common destiny, prosperity or adversity, safety or insecurity. This being the case, there are no issues between our two countries that cannot be satisfactorily resolved."
Chen's reference to "issues" apparently concerned the 2,700 "overstaying" Chinese in the Philippines. This is a question which has been the subject of repeated negotiations between the two governments in recent years.
Pelaez told Chen that he has no doubt the problem will be solved with goodwill on both sides.
At a welcoming party given by the Manila overseas Chinese community March 22, Chen told 1,200 persons that free China will recover the mainland under the leadership of President Chiang Kai-shek. It is the settled policy of the nation to liberate the compatriots on the mainland, he said, adding that the time of the counterattack is daily approaching.
Chen made a similar statement at a state dinner he gave for President Macapagal the evening of March 22. He urged anti-Communist nations "to take advantage of Chinese Communist difficulties and remove the root of evil from Asia."
The Peiping regime is "on the brink of collapse," he added, and is "making preparations for military adventures in Asia to avert its own doom."
Important Conference
In response, Macapagal called for a "single, inflexible front against blandishments, subversion and Communism." He said "we welcome Vice President Chen's rallying cry for an end to differences and prejudices dividing the free world."
The President extolled "the encouraging and stimulating example of the people of Free China who, driven with their backs to the walls, fought back under the leadership of President Chiang Kai-shek, thereby showing to the world that people cannot long remain in fear to fight for their survival."
The Philippine chief-of-state and the Chinese Vice President sat down for an important conference the morning of March 23. Topics discussed included Asian regional security and free China's project of mainland recovery. The Philippines President was reported to have expressed his readiness to back up the Republic of China in returning to the continent.
Also touched upon were establishment of the Federation of Malaysia, the border dispute between India and Red China, and the deepening conflict between Moscow and Peiping. There was a complete identity of views on topics discussed, the Manila press said.
Meanwhile, senior economic and financial advisors to the Vice President explored with Philippines leaders the possibility of promoting industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries. The theme was the Sino-Philippine joint project to establish a steel mill in Taiwan. The mill, with prospective annual capacity of 200,000 metric tons, will use Philippine raw material.
Before departure, Chen reviews honor guard with Macapagal. (File photo).
The possibilities of expanding trade were considered good. The Philippine side was assured that Taiwan will continue to buy timber from the island republic.
Before leaving for home the morning of March 23, Vice President Chen and Philippine President Macapagal reaffirmed, in a joint communique, their determination to resist Communist aggression, to preserve democracy and to defend freedom.
They agreed to take all necessary steps to promote cooperation and strengthen the solidarity of the Philippines and China "in the interest of the common security and general peace in Asia."
President and Mrs. Macapagal were at the airport to see the Chens off. According to the Manila Chronicle, the President has accepted an invitation from President Chiang Kai-shek to visit the Republic of China late this year.
Vive President Chen's visits to Vietnam and the Philippines were viewed as having strong impact on Asia's future. Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan, who accompanied the Vice President on both trips, told Chinese legislators: "The Vice President's visits have a far-reaching international significance and a strong impact on the future stability of Asia."
Press Applause
Shen said the visits contributed greatly to the friendship and cooperation between China and its important neighbors.
Minister Shen reported that both Vietnam and the Philippines expressed their deep respect for President Chiang Kai-shek. The firm anti-Communist spirit and support of the overseas Chinese communities also was hugely encouraging, Shen added.
Manila and Taipei newspapers attached deep significance to the Vice President's visit. These are samples of press opinion:
The Manila Chronicle: "Vice President Chen's visit comes at a time when this country and its leaders are preoccupied with President Macapagal's bold land reform program. This is of great significance."
The Philippines Herald: "The Philippines and China have always enjoyed the most cordial of relationships. While Mr. Chen's visit is officially described as a social one, there's no doubt that his informal exchanges with President Macapagal and other Philippine high officials will go a long way toward forging even closer ties between the peoples of the two countries and toward paving the ground for the happy solution of their mutual problems."
The Manila Bulletin: "Vice President Chen's visit should be a testimonial of the cordial relations between us and our neighbor republic."
The Taipei United Daily News: "The Vice President's visit to the Philippines affords him an excellent opportunity to share his experience with our ally and make some contribution to the land reform being carried out in that country."
The Taipei New Life Daily News: "Personal diplomacy is an important factor in bringing about closer international understanding and friendship… The frequent meetings between heads of states in recent years have helped ease world tension and have produced a more harmonious international atmosphere."