This is not an age for heroes. All achievements depend on the concerted efforts of the people whatever their station in life. Even the smallest screw in the machine has a significant contribution to make to its whole functioning.
The truth of some famous Chinese adages remains intact, however. Among them are: "When the sky falls down, the taller among us will shoulder it," and "A large tree provides shade to protect the people." Translated into modern terms, this means that a leader who upholds the "who else but me" spirit and who is willing to make great sacrifices for the nation, can greatly benefit the people.
Even in the smallest group or institution, a diligent, responsible, wise and hardworking leader will place his subordinates in the best position to develop their talents fully. He will try to win benefits for his employees, encourage the good and punish the bad, and iron out differences and contradictions which arise between various units.
This theory is applicable to the nation as a whole. With limited land and resources, and a large population, free China on Taiwan needs more than most countries to have a good and strong leader. At a time when the world situation changes every day, such a leader must be able to point to the right direction for the people to follow. He must be a spiritual castle and a steersman for the people in the face of adversity, danger and obstacles. His presence should give the people a feeling of security and enable them to stand firm at their posts.
In attempting to unify China under the Three Principles of the People, and to enable all the Chinese people enjoy prosperity in freedom, democracy and peace, the President of the Republic of China shoulders a heavy burden. His success in leading the nation in its struggle for self-reliance and progress, cannot be denied, however.
President Chiang Ching-kuo has been in his present office for more than two years. Ever since he became Premier, he has displayed a sincere, solemn, persevering and diligent spirit. He has fully lived up to the hopes and ideals of the people.
President Chiang Ching-kuo once said that everyone has his own philosophy for dealing with people and events. His own philosophy is very simple--to make all-out efforts to do the right thing for the nation and its people. He said that he has particularly benefited from a passage in a book which reads: "We only come to this world once. We should do whatever we can for the people, before it is too late." This, he said, sums up his philosophy.
He also stated that if he has any merit which is worthy of praise, it is that he always tries to do his work correctly. "I always finish my day's work before I leave for home," he said, adding that he "sacrifices enjoyment, and enjoys sacrifices."
He particularly emphasizes the importance of teamwork. He thinks that the achievements of an individual may benefit the group, but it can never raise the group's working spirit. Only by enlightening other people, can one unite the strength of the group to attain higher achievements.
President Chiang Ching-kuo always mixes with the people so as to understand their needs and help to solve their problems. He constantly reminds himself that the people are the masters of the nation, and government employees are their servants.
Consequently, during his six years in office as Premier and two years as President, Chiang Ching-kuo has always used his time off to visit every corner of the island. His aim is to find out at first hand the living conditions of the people, inspect grass-roots construction, and to encourage every honest citizen.
He has left his footprints in the cities and in the countryside, on the plains and in the high mountains, on the seashore and in the mine shaft. He has made friends with people of all ages and from all sectors of society. They confide their secrets to him because they know that he wants to listen, to understand, to show his compassion and to extend his help. He is a paragon for government employees. He never feels tired, and always takes being close to the people as his greatest pleasure.
President Chiang has willingly visited isolated and dangerous areas. Acknowledging his sincere concern, people have grown to love and respect him.
In March this year, only three days after he had undergone prostate surgery, he received Chen Jo-hsi, a Chinese writer living in the U.S. Soon afterwards, he resumed his routine of visiting the people on weekends and holidays.
Answering those who consider that a national leader should not risk his health by constantly traveling or trying to influence decisions at lower levels of government, President Chiang said in his 1975 diary which he titled A Year to Remember:
"Many people think it is inappropriate for me to leave Taipei and visit people in different places so frequently. They fear fatigue may impair my health and that I may disturb the levels of authority and spoil the system under which duties are fulfilled by people at their own level. They think the premier should stay in his office to study general problems and give orders. I think differently. I enjoy visiting the countryside, mountains and seashore and like to meet and talk to people. These activities are good for my health. Besides, I always make such visits on days off and do not neglect issues requiring time and care. When I am on my trips, often accompanied by local government officials, I never give rulings on administrative affairs."
Through reading President Chiang's diary, it is clear that whenever he sees country people busy on their farms, he is moved. Impressed by the veteran soldiers' loyalty and dedication to him, he didn't know how to show them that he reciprocated their feelings. When a fisherman gave him a bag of clams, the President expressed greater determination to serve the people. When the weather in winter is as warm as summer, he expresses fears that seedlings may be infested with pests. And when the weather turns cold, he fears that the crops may be damaged. When the typhoon season comes, he also worries over the farmers' problems. He said: "Although I know it is useless to worry about such things, I find it impossible not to do so." He is happy only when he sees that the people are leading a prosperous life.
His love for the people has enabled him to win their full support. The following are some examples:
On August 9 this year, President Chiang presided over a commencement ceremony for students receiving military training at Chengkungling. He said in his 1975 diary: "I went on to Chengkungling to check on college students receiving military training. I dined with student representatives, ate mooncakes and posed for pictures. These young and strong college freshmen are all open and likable. They will one day be pillars of the nation."
This shows that President Chiang enjoys making friends with young people. When their military training ends, he never forgets to give them encouragement and advice.
As the ceremony started at 10 a.m., it began to drizzle. On stepping up to the review stand, the President was faced with more than 10,000 student cadets standing upright in the rain like trees. He decided to cancel the parade to spare them discomfort. When Chiang Ching-kuo visited Kinmen in 1975, he watched the students perform in the rain. He said: "I felt uneasy because I was comfortably seated in a roofed review stand." These are some examples of his thoughtfulness.
After presenting graduation certificates and citations to students with meritorious service, President Chiang delivered a short speech in which he said :
"Dear young students. You have spent six weeks at Chengkungling. The literary and military education and training you received here will enable you to cope with all situations arising both in combat and in normal life. Chengkungling cultivates patriotism, teamwork, and strict observance of military law, and trains you to take on physically your appointed tasks. This is the road to success.
"You must be aware that as your family and country are training and protecting you, they are looking forward to you taking up a role as useful members of society. As long as you are far-sighted and determined, have correct values in life, and cultivate moral standards, you will emerge successful.
"The country and society belong to everyone of us, so we must study and work hard to contribute and benefit them. Only after you have perfected yourself in scholastic and spiritual pursuits will you be able to organize a good family life and serve the people and the country.
"You must keep in mind that the spirit of Chengkungling involves vigor, gallantry and justice. It can make every one of you independent and indomitable men of the age. You must also remember that the success of youth is the success of the nation. Only when young men display the vigor of 'great wisdom, great humanity and great courage', can they create an image of these three qualities for the nation.
"The fruit of your efforts today will be the glory of the country tomorrow. Let us struggle together for national revival and reconstruction."
After the speech, the President stepped down from the review stand and walked toward the students to meet them person-to-person. The students welcomed him with loud applause and shouts of "Hello, President Chiang." As the greetings were heaped on him the President nodded to show his contentment. He stopped occasionally to inquire about the students' progress in learning and life and patted them on the shoulder to encourage them.
Back on the review stand, he asked the students to return to their camp to change their clothes. The students showed their appreciation by calling out: "Thank you, Mr. President."
During lunch with the students, the President delivered another short speech. He pointed, out that during the past three decades, the bastion for national revival in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu has made notable advances in politics, economy, national defense, social construction and culture, but regrettably, social morals have not kept pace with other developments. The President said that society is full of luxurious and extravagant habits, which are detrimental to the people's wellbeing.
He said "We must promote good and pure social morality and social mores, learn to respect others, and help maintain a clean society. If these ideals can be passed on from every individual to family and society as a whole, the nation will be able to advance on a broad front."
The President said he hoped all the students would serve as examples to their family, classmates, friends and relatives, so as to create a brilliant career for themselves and open up a new vista for the nation.
The President bade farewell to the students, perhaps unaware of the depth of feeling they had for him.
The President then headed for the Changhua County Government, where he was briefed by magistrate Wu, who later accompanied him in observing the grass-roots construction projects at Changhua.
The President expressed particular concern over potential drought damage to farm crops. He urged the magistrate to advise farmers to transplant upland crops, and to ensure that they make a profit.
When the President learned that the abundant rain of the past few days had enabled farmers to start planting the second crop, he was overjoyed, and decided to inspect the paddy fields. He asked a young farmer operating a power tiller about his family, land and crop production. The farmer told him: "Thank you for visiting us on such a rainy day. Thank you for always caring for us." The President replied: "It is my duty," and took the farmer's mud-covered hand in a firm grasp.
When he called on a 70-year-old farmer living nearby, the President was greeted in the Amoy dialect. The two conducted an animated conversation, one speaking in Mandarin and the other in Amoyese. The old man's grandson and his wife then offered some watermelon to the President. During the ensuing conversation, the President took hold of a small child the woman was holding and the two engaged in some baby talk. The President never has any difficulty in winning children's trust. Neighbors who gathered whispered in Amoyese: "Our President is really a good man. Whenever he has time, he always comes to visit us."
Even after he had visited the Yunlin County Government and Tounan cheng office, the President did not feel tired.
On August 16, the President toured the Cheng-huang Temple in Hsinchu County after visiting the Hsinchu Science and Industry Park, and some military installations. Owners of the shops sited in front of the temple greeted the President warmly.
The President called at a seafood restaurant where a man who had unbuttoned his shirt, was eating and drinking beer heartily. Then he saw the President approach him, he raised his glass and said: "It is so hot. Would you like some beer?" The President enthusiastically accepted the invitation.
The shop owner said proudly: "The President has visited us many times. We are old friends."
On his way back to Taipei after inspecting the construction projects at Hsinchu and Chutung, the President was attracted by a temple rite in celebration of the Ghost Festival, and called on his driver to stop. When he saw the credence tables piled high with sacrificial food including ducks, chickens, pork, and a wide variety of fruit and rice cakes, the President was happy that the people could afford such luxurious fare.
The people gathered around applauded the President, and offered him a seat. After the President had introduced Premier Sun Yun-suan to the throng, the two were invited to watch a Hakka opera. The President gave the theater owner a red envelope, and watched with rapt attention for some time before he left. In their enthusiasm, children and adults ran after the car as it departed.
The following is an account of some of the activities the President engaged in soon after he had recuperated from the surgery he underwent at the beginning of March.
On March 16, he visited retired servicemen in Hualien, and the National Taiwan Normal University on the following day to show his concern over the death of several students in a road accident. He inspected Taipei Municipal administration on March 22 with Mayor Lee Teng-hui, and encouraged soldiers on Kinmen on March 29.
On April 2nd, the President instructed institutions concerned to take good care of the families of those who had died in a mining accident at Juifang in northern Taiwan. From April 5 to 7, he observed construction projects under way in southern Taiwan.
The President toured the Chialoshui scenic spot at Pingtung County on June 16th, observed damage caused by drought in southern Chiayi County on the 22nd, and local development in Taitung and Hualien counties on 29th.
During the period of drought in August, he went to Chingtang Dam to find out how much water was left for the residents of Taipei. Before the month ended he visited Keelung, Penghu, Taichung and Nantou.
It is not too far-fetched to say that President Chiang's footprints have covered almost every inch of land in the Republic of China. The President said that he is most deeply impressed with the increase in the number of power tillers and high-rise buildings in rural areas. He hoped the institutions concerned would continue to supply farmers with new techniques and concepts to improve their lives even more.
For many years, the President has diligently and constantly blazed a trail of his own, which the people have followed with confidence and respect.
[Picture Caption]
On October 31, 1979, many people were waiting for their turn to pay homage to the late President Chiang Kai-shek at Tzuhu. Among them was a small boy in military uniform. President Chiang quipped: "Are you a five-star general?" The small boy replied with a salute.
(1), (2) & (3) After officiating a commencement for students receiving military training at Chengkungling, President Chiang walked down from the platform to chat with the students. (4) From Chengkungling, he went to visit the neighbouring villages. Picture shows he was talking with a farmer in the field at Hsilo. (5) Leaving the field, he visited a farmer's home and was treated to a slice of watermelon.
(1) On Aug. 16, the President toured the Science Industrial Park at Hsinchu, and was briefed at the Industrial Technology Research Institute. (2) He toured the Chenghuang Temple at Hsinchu, and was toasted by people. The President had a big cup of beer. On his return trip, he dropped at a shrine to see people worship deities. The President introduced Premier Sun Yun-suan to the crowd. The Premier greeted the cheering crowds by clapping hands. The President shook hands with worshippers (5) and watched the drama in front of the temple (6).
President Chiang officiated the 56th anniversary of the Military Academy (1). On September 6, this year he inspected a naval exercise (2 & 5). On August 9, 1979, he inspected a landing exercise, and on November 10, inspected another military game. The President often went to the frontline. Picture (6) shows he was dining in a pillbox on Kinmen. On August 23, the President inspected the robust Marines.
(1) July 19, 1980, the President held a farmer's grandson in his arms at Linkow in an expression of his friendship, and (2) he exchanged salute with a small boy during visit to Yuchih in Nantou. (3) He welcomed a baby during visit to Luku, and (4) sipped wax-melon drink at a roadside stall. (5) He had a bowl of soup at an eatery and (6) spent his 70th birthday with the garrison force at Tunyin lslet.
(1) President Chiang posing with a group of girl students at Chialoshui and (2) on July 30 of this year he entertained members of the Academia Sinica and their wives. (3) On August 19 last year, he went to Panchiao to inspect a county athletic meet, and was cheered by the spectators. The President toured a handicraft shop in Miaoli County and tried a mask, amusing the villagers.
On July 28, the President visited a vineyard. (3) He inspected the drying of rice on a farm in Taoyuan and toured Hsiatien village.
During a visit to Liuchia on September 7, this year, the President had a chat with farmer Wang Chuan-cheng. (2) He shook hands with a driver during visit at Chian in Hualien. (3) He came across a wedding party during visit to Putai on October 20, 1979, and congratulated the bride and bridegroom. (4) On October 6, 1979, he inspected the back of a stage of puppet show troupe during his visit to Kinmen. (5) On July 20, while inspecting historic relics, the President told a joke and amused Mayor Su Nan-cheng of Tainan. (6) On March 16, he visited retired servicemen at Hualien and (7) the aborigines at Wutai in Pingtung.
After officiating a commencement for students receiving military training at Chengkungling, President Chiang walked down from the platform to chat with the students.
After officiating a commencement for students receiving military training at Chengkungling, President Chiang walked down from the platform to chat with the students.
After officiating a commencement for students receiving military training at Chengkungling, President Chiang walked down from the platform to chat with the students.
From Chengkungling, he went to visit the neighbouring villages. Picture shows he was talking with a farmer in the field at Hsilo.
Leaving the field, he visited a farmer's home and was treated to a slice of watermelon.
On Aug. 16, the President toured the Science Industrial Park at Hsinchu, and was briefed at the Industrial Technology Research Institute.
He toured the Chenghuang Temple at Hsinchu, and was toasted by people.
The President had a big cup of beer.
The President introduced Premier Sun Yun-suan to the crowd.
The Premier greeted the cheering crowds by clapping hands. The President shook hands with worshippers.
He toured the Chenghuang Temple at Hsinchu, and was toasted by people. The President had a big cup of beer. On his return trip, he dropped at a shrine to see people worship deities. The President introduced Premier Sun Yun-suan to the crowd. The Premier greeted the cheering crowds by clapping hands. The President shook hands with worshippers.
President Chiang officiated the 56th anniversary of the Military Academy.
On September 6, this year he inspected a naval exercise.
On August 9, 1979, he inspected a landing exercise, and on November 10, inspected another military game.
The President often went to the frontline.
On September 6, this year he inspected a naval exercise.
shows he was dining in a pillbox on Kinmen.
shows he was dining in a pillbox on Kinmen.
July 19, 1980, the President held a farmer's grandson in his arms at Linkow in an expression of his friendship, and.
he exchanged salute with a small boy during visit to Yuchih in Nantou.
He welcomed a baby during visit to Luku, and.
sipped wax-melon drink at a roadside stall.
He had a bowl of soup at an eatery and.
spent his 70th birthday with the garrison force at Tunyin lslet.
President Chiang posing with a group of girl students at Chialoshui and.
on July 30 of this year he entertained members of the Academia Sinica and their wives.
On August 19 last year, he went to Panchiao to inspect a county athletic meet, and was cheered by the spectators.
The President toured a handicraft shop in Miaoli County and tried a mask, amusing the villagers.
The President toured a handicraft shop in Miaoli County and tried a mask, amusing the villagers.
On July 28, the President visited a vineyard.
He inspected the drying of rice on a farm in Taoyuan and toured Hsiatien village.
He inspected the drying of rice on a farm in Taoyuan and toured Hsiatien village.
During a visit to Liuchia on September 7, this year, the President had a chat with farmer Wang Chuan-cheng.
He shook hands with a driver during visit at Chian in Hualien.
He came across a wedding party during visit to Putai on October 20, 1979, and congratulated the bride and bridegroom.
On October 6, 1979, he inspected the back of a stage of puppet show troupe during his visit to Kinmen.
On July 20, while inspecting historic relics, the President told a joke and amused Mayor Su Nan-cheng of Tainan.
On March 16, he visited retired servicemen at Hualien and.
the aborigines at Wutai in Pingtung.
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