In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed since the death of Chiang Ching-kuo. There are few signs today of the era he represented-one of simplicity and silence. Did he take that era with him? Or did he himself usher in the new era which he was soon to leave behind? Why look back today at Chiang Ching-kuo's life? Is it simply out of respect for a past leader, and nostalgia for what seemed like a simpler time? Or is it rather that through a reexamination of his life we can understand better the difficult road that modern China has faced? Moreover, can we not, through reflection upon Chiang's policy choices and personal behavior during the decades he spent building up Taiwan, be inspired to think about a more ideal society that we would like to create and leave to our heirs?

Over the past decade Taiwan has changed dramatically, especially in terms of democratic development. This has happened to coincide with the arrival of the information age, so that there has been an explosion in channels by which people relay information and opinion. For a long time the people of Taiwan dared not say much. Now people participate enthusiastically in public discourse, and everyone has something to say. The era of limitations on free speech has disappeared.

In this era of open democratic competition, the former ideal of "modesty" has been supplanted by a need to "sell oneself." In the past we were often told to "do more, say less" or "do your work well as an end in itself, not for fame." But today people often think more about how to spread their reputations. Such rapid change has been disorienting, and we have yet to establish new moral norms.

And yet human nature doesn't change. No matter what the era, or how much things change, some basic human aspirations are eternal. For example, people should be honest and caring toward others, responsible and thorough in handling their affairs, and respectful of the ethical norms governing relations in the family. From the photographic record of Chiang Ching-kuo, these were clearly important values in his life.

When you look at the photos of his family, they appear to contradict many of the rumors and myths told about the Chiang family. They seem to show a happy, normal family life. According to relatives, friends, and subordinates who knew him well, what Ching-kuo most emphasized was an individual's morality and character. He himself observed the principles of prudence and incorruptibility.

Such characteristics are to be even more treasured in today's wealthy Taiwan. For instance, one cannot help but feel that today's crime problem is related to the shift toward extravagance and conspicuous consumption.

Of course, time rolls on. What can the individual do? How big an effect can one person have? It all depends, in the end, on the era in which one lives, and one's status. During the authoritarian era of the "strongman" regime, the leader's ideals and actions could affect, for better or worse, the fate of the nation and of millions of its citizens. In such an era, a leader's decisions must fit the times, or, even better, be a step ahead of the times.

Against opposition, Chiang Ching-kuo insisted upon going ahead with the Ten Major Projects, saying, in a now-famous remark: "That which you do not do today, you will regret tomorrow." The projects laid the foundations for Taiwan's continued rapid economic growth, created "national assets" for Taiwan, and brought greater confidence to the people. Later, a year or so before his death, President Chiang made a number of major reforms-allowing people to travel to mainland China, lifting restrictions on the print media, lifting martial law-which opened the way to a new era.

Chiang Ching-kuo was born into a China still in transition away from autocracy. His father, Chiang Kai-shek, who held political and military power in his hands, was in many ways a new kind of leader for China. Certainly to his son Ching-kuo, Chiang Kai-shek constantly emphasized the importance of wisely ruling the nation in order to bring stability and ensure the well-being of the people.

Ching-kuo became an active participant in shaping his era, showing great initiative. At the age of 16, still a youth with little experience of the world, he decided to go to the Soviet Union, the first of the socialist states, to learn. He ended up staying there for 12 years. Having seen Soviet "socialism" in action, he became a strong supporter of his father's anti-communist policies. After returning to China, Ching-kuo experienced the attempts to build up China, the War of Resistance Against Japan, and the crushing defeat of the Kuomintang in the Chinese Civil War. He learned from these bitter experiences, and led a comprehensive reform of the party.

Later, Chiang Ching-kuo helped lead the step-by-step development of Taiwan. In this period of course many regrettable things occurred. But Chiang always felt great love for Taiwan and wanted to give the people a better standard of living. And by the end of his rule, he even opened the door to today's democratic system. Besides memories, he left us with an era in which we have the democratic power to make decisions on our own, for ourselves and for our descendants. Chiang's story is a model of personal success within the confines of a particular era. Let us also set ourselves expectations of likewise taking responsibility for the nation. This would be the best way of commemorating Chiang Ching-kuo.