A Pivotal Figure at a Pivotal Point in Time ——Lee Huan

On July 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the counsel chamber of the Government Information Office a press conference with Chinese and foreign reporters was held.

GIO Director-General Yu-ming Shaw delivered a joint statement by President Chiang Ching-kuo, Premier Yu Kuo-hwa, and Defense Minister Cheng Wei-yuan on the revocation of Martial Law: "The President hereby declares on this day, July 14, 1987, the formal abrogation of Martial Law on Taiwan as ratified by the Legislative Yuan."

This 38-year-old law which greatly helped to maintain the security of Taiwan and Penghu was misunderstood by many people and affected the image of the nation. In March of last year, the Chairman of the ruling party, Chiang Ching-kuo, announced a party-and nationwide reform. "The abrogation of Martial Law is a basis for reform," stated a well-informed political reporter. After rescinding Martial Law, what will the government's next step be?

On July 1, the ruling party accepted the resignation of Secretary General Ma Shu-li and reassigned former Education Minister Lee Huan in his place. This important personnel change has attracted much attention.

Scholars of political science point out, "The secretary general's responsibility is to aid the party chairman, to supervise, manage, coordinate, and to promote the party. It's a pivotal position with heavy responsibility. Therefore, each time the secretary changes it attracts a lot of attention because it will set off a series of high-level personnel changes."

After the rescinding of Martial Law, the outlawing of other political parties and press restrictions will also gradually be abrogated. Our democratic political development is entering a new phase. The ruling party will now face the adjustment from revolutionary political party to democratic party. How will it be accomplished? This will be the party's greatest test. Government officials have this view: Ma Shu-li was an able coordinator, and Lee Huan is an able executive. In other words, Ma has cleared the way for Lee. There are high expectations for Lee Huan which stem from his forty years of experience and performance in politics.

Lee Huan was born in 1916 in Hankow. He received his B.L. in law at Central Political University, his M.A. in education from Columbia University, and an honorary doctorate from Tankok University in Korea. His past positions include Director of the Yan-Ming Institution of National Revolution and Development, Minister of Education, Chairman of the Taiwan Provincial Committee of the KMT, President of National Sun Yat-sen University, Chairman of the National Youth Commission, Director General of the China Youth Corps, and Director General of the Department of Organization Affairs of the Kuomintang Central Committee.

In 1972, Lee Huan was appointed as Director General of D.O.A.-KMT when Chiang Ching-kuo was Premier. Another political reporter, Lee Yung-te, says, "When the ROC resigned from the United Nations, there was a lot of doubt, and many people demanded reform and more participation in the political process; it was Mr. Chiang who, with much foresight, created the agenda for the nation's development, and Mr. Lee who implemented the plans."

In his positions at D.O.A.-KMT, T.P.C. -KMT, C.Y.C., and N.Y.C., he had the opportunity to meet many young, educated people. Many present government officials call themselves his students or proteges.

According to his friends, his character is one of tranquility and calmness even in tense situations. Another well-informed political reporter says, "Lee is fond of advising his proteges not to speak or act hastily because one can never know what changes will occur."

Besides exuding an air of calm, he is also unassuming. He always advises his subordinates, "Don't be the first; be the second," and "It's better not to put yourself in an unsuitable position." What he means is, "Know where you are and where you are going."

In 1977, during the Chungli Incident, Lee Huan, who was Director of D.O.A.-KMT, C.Y.C., and Y.I.N.R.D., took responsibility and submitted his resignation. Later, he became the president of CTV until 1979. That year he became president of Sun Yat-sen University. In 1984, he was appointed Minister of Education. In all of these positions he has worked with characteristic cool-headedness. As for the Chungli Incident resignation, he never made any explanations; he only says, "The election in 1977 didn't meet my expectations, so I resigned."

When he was Education Minister he spoke little, but accomplished much. In his three years as Education Minister, he abolished restrictions on students' hair length, enabled the establishment of private colleges, established a college of physical education, increased scholarships for graduate students, established the University Publications Committee and more.

Owing to all these accomplishments, people have high hopes for him. In his present high-level position, it is hoped that he can help facilitate the reforms and democratization in the ROC that will go down in the history of politics.