Link the Past to the Future, Unify and Reform

The Political Report of Premier Yu Kuo-hwa to the Thirteenth Party Congress (Abridged)

Mr. Chairman, Honorable Guests, Delegate Members, and Members:

Today, the 13th National Congress of the Kuomintang opens on this solemn day memorializing the War of Resistance against Japan. This grand occasion serves as a link between the past and the future.

On January 13th of this year, former Party Chairman Chiang Ching-kuo unfortunately passed away. Acting Chairman Lee Teng-hui is now carrying on the unfinished work of late Chairman Chiang, continuing to solidify the center of leadership of the Kuomintang, to lead all members to unite and struggle, to accelerate the promotion of development on the national bastion of revival, and to launch the great task of reunifying China under the Three Principles of the People.

We well know that the future of the Kuomintang is also the future of the Republic of China, and the destiny of the Kuomintang is also the destiny of the Republic of China. The Kuomintang today is now entering its 94th year with pride and confidence. Over more than 90 years, our party and nation have weathered uncounted dangers and hardships. We have proven, with fact and action, that when the environment is harshest, that is when we can create a miracle out of a crisis.

Fellow members: In the seven years since the 12th National Congress of the Kuomintang, the world situation has remained in a state of constant flux and confusion. Our Republic of China is the only country to stand firm and tall, valiantly poised at the front of the anti-Communist movement for the world, with a pace of development that has never slackened. Our political and economic development has received wide respect and acclaim throughout the world.

In the past seven years, the Kuomin-tang's efforts in leading the development of our bastion of national revival have all consistently aimed at the following three goals:

1. Ensuring national security, social stability, and the well-being of the people.

2. Actively implementing constitutional government and democratic rule by law.

3. Working toward the great task of reunifying China under the Three Principles of the People.

Within these three goals, these are our efforts in each individual area:

In the area of national defense: Following the policy of military modernization, we have built up formidable armed forces, successfully developed sophisticated weaponry according to a predetermined plan, and implemented the policy of using only highly qualified soldiers; over the past five years, military personnel have been reduced by over 35,000 persons.

In foreign relations: We remain steadfastly in the democratic camp. We are developing international cooperation and exchange on the basis of independence and freedom, in a spirit of equality and reciprocity, on the principle of not damaging the nation's interests and dignity, creating opportunity and expanding our international relations through an overall diplomatic force.

In economics: Our average annual per capita income has gone from over US$2,600 to US$5,000. The distribution of wealth is equitable. Our world ranking in terms of import and export trade volume has risen from 20th place to 13th. Implementation of the policy of economic liberalization and internationalization has further helped us into the world economic community. We project that ten years from now, our bastion of national revival will join the ranks of the developed nations of the world.

In the area of social development: We have already established a society of fair competition, a free and open society. We have at the same time established a fully employed society, and we are now actively moving towards a welfare society that takes care of the underprivileged, the aged, and the disabled.

In the areas of culture, education, science, and technology: The percentage of the population aged 15 and older with at least a high school education has soared from 25% to 42%. The average number of newspapers and magazines read per hundred persons has gone from 16 to 22; this attests to vigorous cultural development and to rapid, efficient information communications. Allocations for scientific and technological research have risen from 0.76% of the gross national product to 1.2%; and it is projected that within ten years they will reach 2.5%.

Members: We should be even happier to note how the series of political reform measures since the Third Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee have opened up a whole new era. Major measures include:

--Lifting the Emergency Decree activating martial law in the Taiwan-Pescadores region, which had been in effect for almost 40 years.

--Drafting the National Security Law to maintain lasting social stability and order.

--Drafting the Law on Assembly and Parades to protect the people's freedom to hold assemblies and parades.

--Revising the Law on the Organization of Civic Groups during the Period of Emergency to protect the people's freedom to form associations.

--Opening up registrations of new newspapers to protect the freedom of speech.

--Proposing a program to replenish representation in the National Assembly, Legislative Yuan, and Control Yuan and local government institutions.

--Opening up travel to the China mainland for family visits by Taiwan residents out of humane and ethical concerns.

--Commuting sentences or restoring civil rights to over 26,000 people; releasing 1,700 people imprisoned on charges of check offenses; and rescinding the arrest orders for almost 24,000 individuals.

In the year that has passed since the Emergency Decree activating martial law was lifted in July of last year, there were over 1,700 street demonstrations and public petitions. It is unfortunate that mixed in with most of these demonstrations are some individuals who turn to political agitation and violence. And there is a small group of people who, while claiming to support democracy, do not accept our national designation and national system of year calculation. There is another small minority who advocate "Taiwan independence" with the intent of dividing our national territory.

To this end, we must declare to the people of the world that the confidence and resolution of the Kuomintang in actively implementing constitutional democracy will never waver. However, we must insist on the following:

First, democracy shall not compromise national security or social stability.

Second, democracy is government by the will of the people; selfish interests cannot be mixed with politics.

Third, democracy is parliamentary government; political advocacies cannot be mixed with street violence.

Fourth, democracy is government by rule of law; no person may openly challenge the law by using political activities as a pretext.

Members: On the occasion of this 13th National Congress of the Kuomintang today, we, full of enthusiasm, with fortified will and concentrated strength, reiterate our confidence and determination to work to establish a unified new China under democracy and with an equitable distribution of wealth. For the continuation of Chinese history and culture, for the brilliant future of the Republic of China, let us unite in sincerity, rise with force and spirit to innovate, and courageously march ahead toward the goal now clearly in sight.

[Picture Caption]

Premier Yu Kuo-hwa delivered the political report. (Photo by Lin Cheng-chun)

(Photo by Arthur Cheng)

At the opening ceremony, the ten thousand participants joined in singing patriotic songs at the unfurling of the flag. (Photo by Arthur Cheng)

（Photo by Arthur Cheng）

At the opening ceremony, the ten thousand participants joined in singing patriotic songs at the unfurling of the flag. （Photo by Arthur Cheng）