When the central government moved from the mainland to Taiwan at the end of 1949 the entire situation was rather dangerous and gloomy. As for the international situation, the United States had already issued forth an official government report, and was prepared to cast aside Taiwan. As for the domestic situation, Taiwan had met up against a dire shortage of raw materials and inflation. Also, the Chinese Communists had their eyes set on Kinmen and Matsu, and were making strategic preparations to attack. At that time Taiwan had to face an isolated foreign relations environment, an economy in collapse, a heated political situation, and the great threat posed by the Chinese Communists. Under these circumstances very few people were optimistic about the future of Taiwan.
Now, 39 years later, the world has discovered that the Republic of China on Taiwan has not only cleared some of the most difficult hurdles and passed through the darkest times, but it has also made an accomplishment which has caught the attention of the world. Over the past forty years, Taiwan's economic development has been one of the most rapid in the world. At the same time, from the beginning of the 1950's to the end of the 1970's, Taiwan's average income has improved markedly; distribution of wealth has become more equal. Since the 1980's we've seen the phenomenon where there has been a slight increase in the difference of personal incomes, yet the R.O.C. still remains one of the world's countries where wealth is more equally distributed. It's no wonder many scholars who research economic development employ the term "growth with equity" when describing the experience of Taiwan's economic development.
Among the developing nations Taiwan has made a rare accomplishment in both economic development and political democracy. We can't deny that since the central government moved to Taiwan it was necessary to take steps for securing the safety and stability of Taiwan, so the political party had to enforce strict measures like martial law in order to prevent infiltration by the enemy. Under these measures the degree of political democracy was naturally limited to a certain extent. However, I believe that anyone viewing the past forty years of Taiwan's history from a neutral stance must admit that the R.O.C. has always strived toward the realization of a democratic constitutional government. It has been through the creation of a stable situation that has caused Taiwan's economic development to soar under such a secure and stable political environment. This stable situation has also created a better base for the improved realization of a democratic constitutional government, and with the maturing of society has led to the lifting of martial law.
We feel that the power of the people should not cause the government's authority to dry up and shrink, and make it unable to maintain order. As the government faces the trend of social development of the growing power of the people it naturally has to make adjustments in its own way of doing things, and interfere less in the activities of the people. On the other hand the government should emphasize the following: strengthening of laws, taking care of the welfare of the people, and making the power of the people to get moving on the right track.
The accomplishments on Taiwan, Peng-hu, Kinmen, and Matsu clearly testify that the Chinese people have the potential to create a wonderful living for themselves. Actually, many scholars who research the development of the nation believe that, in addition to the economic miracle of the R.O.C., it's more than plausible that a political miracle is on the way. Today, as we stand at the historical pass of social change and transformation, let's all rise up and fight for a new, unified China of democracy and a fair distribution of wealth.
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