May 20 was the third anniversary of the ROC's first democratically elected presidency. On that day, the current president, Lee Teng-hui, "opened up his heart" announcing the publication of his new book With the People Always in My Heart. He stated that this was the first time he has offered a full and straightforward presentation of his thoughts concerning the past, present and future of Taiwan.

In the speech he gave at his publication press conference, President Lee Teng-hui explained his motivations for writing his book-"love and gratitude to the common people." He noted, "Because of this, I decided to take concrete action, leaving a very complete and accurate testimony and offering a plan for a promising future, for the land and the people that I love, for the times that we have collectively experienced, for the present era that we have diligently created together and the tomorrow that we will commonly embrace." It is generally believed that Lee's publication of this book-which elaborates his political philosophy, his achievements and his vision for the nation's future-just as contention over the 2000 presidential election has begun clearly indicates his decision not to run for office again, and serves as a commemorative signpost of his political leadership.

The book, which was dictated in Japanese by President Lee to the Japanese writer Eguchi Katsushiko and published by the Taiwanese publishing house Yuan-Liou, offers readers a chance to "get to know Lee Teng-hui," describing in detail his background and youth, the evolution of his thinking, his political career and his personal history. In addition, President Lee could not help considering "the country's past experiences and its future development": "Over the past decade, step by step we have accomplished economic liberalization, political democratization and social pluralization, and we have opened up a broader, more unimpeded space for development. Hereafter, what should be the next goal toward which we strive?" A Christian, Lee cites the passage in the Bible in which Simon Peter asks, "Where is my Lord going?" as a metaphor for his own concern for his country-"Where is Taiwan going?" Thus as chief executive he has offered his own experiences, thoughts and feelings concerning all his fellow citizens, based on long-term observations.

Two thousand deluxe collector's editions of With the People Always in My Heart have even been provided to the private group Human Rights Education Foundation-which set up a Human Rights Monument on Green Island-to be sold at a price of NT$10,000 per volume. In order to increase their value to collectors, each deluxe edition has been stamped with Lee Teng-hui's personal chop and a special seal stating "Great fortune forever more." At the press conference, the first volume was purchased by the President's wife Tseng Wen-hui. Expressing the felicity of the first family, she said, "Because President Lee loves Taiwan, I simply have to buy the very first one."

In his book, Lee characterizes his feelings toward his own life as "nurturing happiness out of sorrow." Born during the period of Japanese rule, and having been baptized by such events as World War II and the February 28th incident, in the first chapter, "The Development of My Thoughts," he writes that originally his feelings toward Taiwan were filled with futility and sadness. "Nevertheless, today, whether from my personal perspective or that of all Taiwan, I always feel that Taiwan is very fortunate, even that I am fortunate to have been born a Taiwanese." He remarks that Taiwan's climate is agreeable, its topography richly varied, its soil fertile, and furthermore, because it is separated from the mainland by a body of water, Taiwan has been able to avoid entanglement in the chaotic events that frequently occur there, thus absorbing and cultivating a diverse culture and social system.

Lee believes that this cultural background has nourished and created a "new Taiwanese people." This was the powerful idea that he espoused as chairman of the Kuomintang during the Taipei mayoral elections at the end of last year, stressing that whether they be indigenous people, descendants of immigrants from mainland China whose families arrived 400 years ago, or people that immigrated 50 years ago, anyone who lives on Taiwan and loves Taiwan, anyone that is willing to sacrifice and struggle for Taiwan is a "new Taiwanese."

Lee also touched on several other topics, including the parliamentary system-which involves the Provincial Assembly, the National Assembly and the Legislative Yuan-as well as cross-strait relations and Taiwan's international status. The point which elicited the greatest amount of discussion, however, was his treatment of the very sensitive issue of independence or unification vis-a-vis mainland China. Lee took a relatively moderate approach, suggesting regional development based on his "seven regions" theory. He defined Taiwan as "the Republic of China, Taiwan" or "the Republic of China on Taiwan" and encouraged mainland China to renounce "Greater China-ism," suggesting that China be divided into seven regions, including Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia and the northeast, allowing each region to develop through the competition among their various special characteristics, while maintaining stability.

This proposal immediately drew severe criticism from the PRC, which described it as "statements and actions meant to divide the fatherland and destroy the unity of China" and "appearing to advocate unity while secretly espousing independence, challenging the One China principle and renouncing the framework for a greater China"-views not aiding unification or the development of cross-strait relations. Chen Shui-bian, the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential candidate, claimed to have read the book in its entirety prior to the press conference. Chen commented that the "thesis of seven regions" was the book's major flaw, and that it poses the danger of shrinking Taiwan's status to that of a local government within China. Moreover, in his book Lee did not explain in detail the content or reasoning behind his "seven regions"; in fact, he only listed five regions. Therefore, the concept seems incomplete, and leaves many scholars mystified.

Most people have interpreted President Lee's book as a way of "passing on the baton." From 1988 to the present day, Lee Teng-hui has served as ROC president for 11 years, bringing to reality an unprecedented democratic political system for the Chinese people.

"During this final transitional year," comments an editorial in the China Times, "Lee Teng-hui must do three things: construct a new parliamentary system, complete the nomination of the Kuomintang's presidential candidate and assist in the election, and achieve a transition in political power that maintains a stable social structure." The editorial observed that during the transitional year, the people cannot see the path that the future will take, and have consequently developed feelings of apprehension and powerlessness. To dissipate this aura of fear and futility, there must be a stable transition of political power, not only institutionally, but psychologically as well. This is Lee Teng-hui's final task as head of state.

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ROC President Lee Teng-hui has published a new book, With the People Always in My Heart, sharing his insights on the future development of Taiwan from his perspective as head of state. (photo by Chang Liang-yi, China Times)