Premier Chiang Ching-kuo was elected by the National Assembly March 21 as President of the Republic of China. Chiang Ching-kuo is an outstanding statesman who adheres to principles and stands firm in his positions. He is dedicated to his duties, popular with the people and respectful of the law. He wages a struggle for renovation, makes improvements with courage and exercises his great patriotism to the full. When he was named Premier of the Republic of China, he encouraged Cabinet members with these words: "Be ordinary, common and plain." He urged government employees to adopt the concept of "living for work, not working to live" as their principle in serving the people. Mr. Chiang is not only a planner but also a man of action. Among his guidelines for life is: "Never fear suffering, never fear hardship and never fear danger." During the Chinese Communist attempt to seize Kin-men in October 1949 and during the Battle of the Taiwan Straits that opened with the saturation shelling of Kin men on August 23, 1958, he traveled to the offshore island despite the danger of heavy artillery fire. He visited pillboxes to convey the concern of the highest authorities to soldiers on the frontlines. He still seeks out the people and communicates with them frequently on farms and in factories, shops, schools, camps, government organizations and on the streets. Wherever he goes, the people stretch out their hands, vying for a handshake with Chiang Ching-kuo or a chance to chat with him. He invariably wears a broad smile.
Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo is always deeply attentive to public opinion. He relies on the people to identify their problems, learns about these from the people and discovers the solutions in the ideas of the people. He never misses an opportunity to see and be seen by his fellow-citizens, and to discuss with them their problems and the future of the country. For six years as Premier he devoted almost every week-end to these journeys, to meet the people, many of them into remote areas in the countryside.
Whether he's talking with a child, or an old lady, Chiang Ching-kuo has the common touch. His questions and comments touch on the problems of family as well as the nation: how people are getting along, their needs and their complaints. Many of his policies have grown out of conversations with ordinary citizens during his expeditions to the streets and byways. The people have no hesitation about being frank with Chiang Ching-kuo, and he asks for and receives their help. At the outset of his term office as Premier, he learned that the Taiwan infrastructure was falling behind the needs of a modern industrialized society. This led him to sponsor the 10 Major Construction Projects now nearing completion. A further series of 12 projects has now been planned.