As October 10th, the Republic of China's national day, grew nearer, the streets of Taipei, besides their customary crowds and traffic, gradually changed in appearance.
Colorful decorative arches sprang up from the ground and brilliant illuminated designs glittered at night in anticipation of the festive event. Some 46,000 potted plants were set out to adorn the city's main thoroughfares, accompanied by a sea of flags that snapped briskly in the wind. Faithful lampposts and weather-beaten statues shared in the joyous atmosphere by sporting fresh coats of paint.
This year's national day celebrations featured a military review. To ensure that they would be in peak form, the foot soldiers arose before dawn to jog and exercise in Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen memorial parks. The sounds of their voices rose and fell in unison in the still morning air. Just after sunrise, armored and rocket units could be seen advancing slowly along Jen Ai Road toward the Presidential Building, as they took advantage of the lull in traffic to squeeze in one more round of practice. Even though it was not the real parade and only a few night owls stood along the street to watch, the soldiers and officers on the vehicles still rode ramrod straight, while the standard bearers practiced marching past the reviewing stand and flourishing their flags in respect.
Little children may be too small to help, but they don't want to be left out either. Flags in hand, they pester their mothers and fathers to take them to the park, where they shout and race about as though their noise and excitement could make the day's festivities begin.
The reason for their joy is simple: because their teacher told them October 10th is our nation's birthday. But the mind of a child may not be able to comprehend another reason for joy: that with the passing years, our nation faces the numerous challenges confronting it with ever greater wisdom and maturity.
Since last year's Double Tenth day, we have met environmental, labor, agricultural, and economic challenges in the wake of lifting martial law and the economic shock following the opening of visits to relatives on the mainland; challenges to the yardstick of free speech following the lifting of press restrictions; the inauguration of President Lee Teng-hui following the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo; the cabinet reshuffle and the active implementation of numerous reforms following the Thirteenth National Congress of the Nationalist Party . . . challenges that one after another have tested our determination to march toward greater freedom and democracy.
Rain and cloudy weather persisted right up to the practice the day before, but the skies cleared just in time for the big review. As if in accompaniment to this "gift of the gods" a 21-gun salute rang out marking the start of the first national day celebrations presided over by President Lee Teng-hui.
Alternating between air and ground forces, the armed forces on review saluted President Lee, the commander-in-chief, as they passed the reviewing stand. Besides earning the thunderous applause of the Chinese and foreign guests attending the ceremony, the grand military spectacle of more then 13,000 officers and soldiers stirred the spirits of the entire nation watching the ceremony on television.
The appearance of a grand military review in front of the Presidential Building once again after seven years, besides representing the nation's cherished remembrance of the late President Chiang Ching-kuo, also served to express the troops' loyalty and devotion to President Lee. Also deserving of note are the complete weapons systems displayed at the review, which included many new ones developed at home or sourced from abroad that have fortified the armed forces' combat strength.
Many photographers may perhaps share this feeling: the more pictures they take of the national day celebrations each year, the more the activities seem superficially the same. The "Four Seas One Mind" entertainment show the night before, the ceremonies before the Presidential Building on the morning of the day itself, the artistic performances in the afternoon, and the fireworks at the Tamsui River in the evening--the pictures may be repetitive, but the joy and festivity of the nation's celebrations don't lose their color.
There's a song that has it right: "Hang the lanterns, bang the gong/everyone sing the Double Tenth song!" It's a celebration to be shared in by the whole country. What better way to express our congratulations than by taking part in it?
Happy birthday, R.O.C.!
[Picture Caption]
The banks of the Tamsui River near lock number six were jammed with crowds watching the fireworks.
The ceremony celebrating the Republic of China's 77th national day was presided over by President Lee Teng-hui.
Premier Yu Kuo-hwa chatted with foreign guests at a cocktail party after the ceremony.
The troops stood in formation in the square in front of the Presidential Building to hear the president's address.
The women's corps of Fuhsingkang College was the only women's unit in the review.
Colorful balloons added to the joy of the occasion.
The crack frogman unit.
This old lady, who came to Taiwan just two years ago from Hunan, enjoyed the festivities beside the park with her son.
A military review is an uncommon event at a national day celebration. Foreign reporters, taking advantage of the occasion, snapped their shutters enthusiastically.
The Miss Chinatowns in attendance at the ceremony further beautified the scene.
A daredevil performance by acrobats from the Chinese Folk Acrobatic Training Center awed the crowd.
Children and adults alike enjoyed themselves at the CKS Memorial Hall.
The ceremony celebrating the Republic of China's 77th national day was presided over by President Lee Teng-hui.
Premier Yu Kuo-hwa chatted with foreign guests at a cocktail party after the ceremony.
The troops stood in formation in the square in front of the Presidential Building to hear the president's address.
The women's corps of Fuhsingkang College was the only women's unit in the review.
Colorful balloons added to the joy of the occasion.
This old lady, who came to Taiwan just two years ago from Hunan, enjoyed the festivities beside the park with her son.
A military review is an uncommon event at a national day celebration. Foreign reporters, taking advantage of the occasion, snapped their shutters enthusiastically.
The Miss Chinatowns in attendance at the ceremony further beautified the scene.
A daredevil performance by acrobats from the Chinese Folk Acrobatic Training Center awed the crowd.
Children and adults alike enjoyed themselves at the CKS Memorial Hall.
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