January 13 marked the tenth anniver-sary of the death of former president Chiang Ching-kuo. In spite of so much social change, Chiang Ching-kuo's achievements have lasted until today and his life story is still a much enjoyed topic of discussion. Lately, many people have raised the topic of Chiang Ching-kuo with much enthusiasm. There have been commemorative meetings, research discussions, and an endless stream of publications. While most have praised, some have raised their voices in disagreement and even in protest. One after another, people have taken the opportunity of this tenth year commemoration to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.

With January 13 marking the tenth anniversary of Chiang Ching-kuo's death, President Lee Teng-hui urged KMT members to visit the tomb of Chiang Ching-kuo in Tahsi. The KMT also held a tenth year memorial ceremony for the deceased president. People held informal remembrance meetings, and there were biographies, media articles, and so forth.

At a memorial service held on January 12, President Lee Teng-hui praised Chiang Ching-kuo as being a truly great politician who took a firm stand during precarious times and established an outstanding foundation for the country, opening up the process of democratic reform. President Lee also pointed out that in remembering Chiang Ching-kuo, it is most important to comprehend his ideals and aspirations, carrying forward his cause and contributions, and making his hopes a reality.

Reflecting on Chiang Ching-kuo's contributions, Taiwan Provincial Governor James Soong said that Chiang Ching-kuo was a man who stood his ground in promoting the ten great development projects. From the very beginning, Chiang Ching-kuo would personally attend briefings, and participate in the construction design proceedings. Although facing much resistance, Chiang Ching-kuo always believed that if one did not do what needed to be done today, then tomorrow would always be a day of regret. The results of his achievements truly demonstrated the far-sightedness of his decisions.

Li Kuo-ting, the "godfather" of science and technology in Taiwan, also believes that the ten major development projects marked the shift in Taiwan from a focus on labor-intensive production to capital- and technology-intensive production. Technological development in Taiwan in fact began with Chiang Ching-kuo's proposals. Sun Yun-hsuan, who has a background in engineering, was appointed by Chiang Ching-kuo as Premier. He points out that the creation of the integrated circuit industry and the founding of Hsinchu's industrial park were both a result of Chiang Ching-kuo's policies. Another of his major contributions was democratic reforms. In 1987, martial law was abolished in Taiwan, various bans were lifted, and Taiwanese were for the first time allowed to visit relatives in Mainland China. These new policies firmly set the path toward fundamental democratic reform; what followed was a praiseworthy "peaceful revolution."

In addition to his administrative achievements, the friendly nature of Chiang Ching-kuo cannot go unmentioned. Wearing his customary jacket, he would travel to every corner of Taiwan visiting the people and gaining a thorough understanding of local practices and customs. In fact, a special group of eleven people from different walks of life symbolize the extent of Chiang Ching-kuo's connection to and understanding of the people of Taiwan. These "eleven old friends" still meet from time to time each year. This year John Chang, the newly appointed KMT Secretary-General who is also one of Chiang Ching-kuo's two sons from outside his marriage, acted as host of the occasion. They once again gathered together in memory of Chiang Ching-kuo and reminisced about this great friend of the people.

Chiang Ching-kuo also established the China Youth Corps and headed that organization for twenty-one years. He spared no effort in looking after the nation's youth. At the memorial service on January 12, the China Youth Corps remembered their great "director." Chiang Ching-kuo would often appropriately say, "The age will test the youth, but the youth produce the age." Those in attendance were visibly moved when a recording of him saying that was played at the service. Some entrepreneurs who had participated in Chiang Ching-kuo's youth programs last year established the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. They also hope to establish a university for this great leader.

Chiang Ching-kuo's achievements number more than can be listed here. Last month two books on Chiang Ching-kuo were published. One is by Li Huan entitled, Together for Fifty Years: Li Huan and Chiang Ching-kuo. The second book is by the journalist, Chi Kao-ju, who spent many years with Chiang Ching-kuo. The title of his book is, I Am Taiwanese: A Critical Biography of Chiang Ching-kuo. It deals with the unforgettable deeds of Chiang Ching-kuo's lifetime. These two books have generated a growing response in society as well as raised certain suspicions. Some people still feel there are areas in Chiang Ching-kuo's life that remain unclear and perhaps have even been "mythologized," thus leaving too many unresolved issues.

In remembering Chiang Ching-kuo, some took things a step further by using the past to illustrate the present. For example, they emphasized Chiang Ching-kuo's skill at employing talented people so as to make a contrast with the current political situation. Others, however, pointed out that Chiang Ching-kuo's rule was characterized by poliltical repression. Taiwan Independence Party spokesperson Li Yung-chih thinks that the "enthusiasm" over Chiang Ching-kuo, which has stirred up a growing wave of fond recollections about his accomplishments, is not a good phenomenon.

Given the cumulative nature of history, it behooves us to wait longer to make a definitive assessment of Chiang Ching-kuo's deeds.

Today, marking the tenth anniversary of Chiang Ching-kuo's death, we can nonetheless take this opportunity to both look back at the past and forward into the future.

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January 13, 1998 marked the tenth anniversary of the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo. President Lee Teng-hui led government officials to pay their respects at Touliao. (photo by Vincent Chang)