Let's look at the record: A graduate of Class 8 of the Whampoa Military Academy, battalion commander, regimental commander, Assistant Army Attache to the United States, Military Attache posted to Italy, Division and then Corps Commander, Vice-Commander of the Army, Vice Chief of the General Staff, Commander-in-Chief Combined Service Forces, Commander-in-Chief of the Taiwan Garrison Command, and Vice-Minister of National Defense--a thorough military background, to say the least. Add to this the civil posts of Chairman of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen (VACRS), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ROC Amateur Athletic Federation, and Chairman of the Republic of China Olympic Committee, and it is clear that Cheng Wei-yuan is one of the outstanding new faces to enter the cabinet in July's reshuffle.

The former Vice-Commander of the CSF and current Chairman of the Board of Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation, Lei Ying, describes Cheng Wei-yuan as follows: "He is really able to select people, to delegate authority, and to trust people" and is "a really rare individual."

In Lei's memory, he has never seen Cheng get angry. When subordinates err, he has adopted instead an encouraging tone. And if subordinates offer good suggestions, he is ready to follow their advice. Lei believes that Cheng's style makes for subordinates who would lay down their lives for him.

Although Cheng can delegate authority well, he is also an extremely diligent worker, keeping up with the younger men--though he is the oldest man ever to have been given the position. His only relaxation is golf.

Cheng's thoroughness and concern for his subordinates are by no means easy tasks. Han Ching-yen, Product Manager of the Sales Department at the China Broadcasting Company and host of a show aimed at veterans, notes that when Cheng headed the VACRS for six years, he spent every Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival with veterans Cheng has a good memory for old faces and names, and is extremely cordial and considerate as host or guest alike.

Cheng's preferred style of work is that everyone should work together as a team. This concept showed its effectiveness in practice when Cheng headed up the Republic of China Amateur Sports Federation. He made clear achievements in field standardization, coaching specialization, and other areas. But how did he harmonize the fifty member associations? "As you reporters often say, by constant communication," he responds.

Communication doesn't always work, though. During deliberations over the 1988 fiscal year budget in the Legislative Yuan, defense spending was slashed by NT$30 million. Regarding this development, Cheng says with a smile, "The Legislative Yuan considered the budget very carefully and seriously; whatever disputes arise are an inevitable part of democratic government."

Some use Japan as an example of how low defense spending can aid economic growth. But Cheng points out that Japan is covered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. He moreover notes that defense spending is a kind of public service investment. For the past several years, the Ministry of National Defense has entrusted the production of some military products to the private sector: this helps to raise the level of industry, provides employment opportunities, and spurs advances in technology.

In addition, he believes, the defense budget must be set according to the nation's situation. Since Taiwan is faced with a powerful enemy, the maintenance of a strong defense capability is essential.

As for differing opinions on the defense budget, some legislators feel that there was inadequate communication, and that the people and legislators were inadequately aware of the "danger to the nation." Cheng believes that, except for openly releasing secrets, the Ministry must explore every channel of communication to let people understand the purpose of defense spending and the practical results of the nation's defense.

But the budget is now settled, and the immediate problem is how to deal with the question of security in the wake of the July 15 lifting of the Emergency Decree.

According to Defense Ministry statistics, between July 15 and September 3 over 300 fishing boats entered within 20 nautical miles of Taiwan, in some cases coercing Taiwan fishermen to "trade." The Minister says that there are four motives behind these actions: testing post-martial law vigilance, intelligence gathering, barter, and propaganda. He notes that such occurrences create security worries, and generate a false image of trade between the two sides. To avoid even more headaches, current policy is simply to send the intruders back.

In fact, from 1,000 to 1,500 of these boats made use of the northeast seasonal winds to approach Taiwan each year in the past, only they never come as close as they have now.

Because the media has made a big deal out of this year's events, however, many people have mistakenly assumed that the defense of the coast has been left entirely to the police or that inadequate planning was done before the lifting of martial law. But Minister Cheng says "This is a serious misunderstanding." He notes that coastal protection is the joint responsibility of the Navy and the Garrison Command and that whatever changes have been made since martial law had advance planning.

Defense Minister Cheng is a hard-working administrator and leader. From retired servicemen to the Ministry of Defense, he is attentive to everything, and finds joy in solving the problems he discovers.

[Picture Caption]

"If there are arguments about the Defense budget, that is an inevitable part of democracy," says Cheng Wei-yuan.

(left) The Athletic Federation made great progress under Cheng's leadership. Here he delivers an address on Athletics Day.

(right) The 74-year-old Minister of National Defense is a diligent worker who can keep up with or surpass the younger men. (photo courtesy of the Military News Agency)

（left） The Athletic Federation made great progress under Cheng's leadership. Here he delivers an address on Athletics Day.

（right） The 74-year-old Minister of National Defense is a diligent worker who can keep up with or surpass the younger men. （photo courtesy of the Military News Agency）