Boston University of the United States this afternoon confers a degree of doctor of laws, honoris causa, on President Lee Teng-hui at the Office of the President in Taipei in recognition of his staunch efforts to carry out economic and political reforms in the Republic of China on Taiwan, his contributions to regional and global understanding, and his courageous championing of the democratic process.
At the LL.D. conferring ceremony, President Jon Westling of Boston University praises President Lee for his able leadership over the past seven years, saying that the momentous initiative taken the Chinese people in 1911 has come to fruition in Taiwan.
President Lee, while thanking Boston University, says that the honor should be shared by all the citizens of the Republic of China.
The full text of President Lee's address on the conferral of the LL.D. is as follows:
President and Mrs. Jon Westling, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am highly honored today to receive this Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from Boston University. First of all, I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation to President Westling and all the faculty and staff of Boston University. And in particular, I should like to express my highest respect and esteem for President Westling, who has made this special trip to the ROC with his wife to personally confer this honor upon me.
Boston University is located in its namesake Massachusetts city, which is home to many well-known members of the artistic and literary world. The university has built a reputation as an internationally renowned academic institution through the excellent performance of its alumni over the past 156 years. On January 15 of last year, I met with the university's president emeritus, Dr. John Silber, who was visiting the ROC; we had a delightful and fruitful exchange of views on our experiences in cultural and educational work.
President and Mrs. Westling's trip to Taipei a year later today underscores the growing profound friendship between our country and Boston University. I believe that this visit will definitely help foster bilateral academic exchange and cooperation.
As you all know, the Republic of China is not a member of the United Nations, and only enjoys diplomatic relations with 30 countries. In the eyes of the world community, Taiwan is nothing more than a small island or "an exceptional case of survival." Nonetheless, the ROC's brilliant achievements have won unanimous recognition from the international community.
Over the past six years, the Republic of China on Taiwan has instituted constitutional reform while striving to play an increasingly important role in the world economy. Its many achievements have made it a country whose influence in the Asia-Pacific region cannot be ignored.
However, few people genuinely realize the importance of the Taiwan Experience in world history. We believe that in modern international relations, the existence and status of a nation cannot be defined solely by the conventional concepts of international law. Rather, the participation in international activities by an actually existing sovereign nation or entity must be used to identify its contributions to the international community. This is only reasonable and just. Therefore, the existence and status of the Republic of China in the international community is an undeniable fact, and by reason our nation should be treated with dignity and respect.
Only if we start from this precept can we fully discuss the achievements and significance of how readily the Republic of China has achieved political reform in recent years, of how it has opened up relations with the Chinese mainland, and how it has diversified its pragmatic relations to form an unofficial international network. Only by aligning our country with the worldwide trend of leaving the Cold War and socialism behind us can we offer a new direction for the development of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century.
For many years, the Republic of China, under the leadership of Presidents Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, laid a solid foundation of national development, and with the efforts of our entire citizenry, created a developmental miracle that has won world admiration. As of last year, Taiwan's per capita GNP had reached US$12,800, placing us 25th among 190 nations worldwide. Total trade topped US$217.3 billion, ranking us 14th highest in the world. Our economic strength is on a par with that of developed nations. In recent years, we have continued our economic growth while striving for constitutional reform. On March 23 of last year, we successfully held the first direct presidential election in Chinese history, officially bidding farewell to authoritarian government and joining the ranks of democratic nations.
Looking back over the last few years, countries making the transition from authoritarianism to democracy have experienced political coups d'etat, such as in Latin America or Southeast Asia, the Tiananmen Incident on the Chinese mainland, and the attempted coup by conservative elements in the former Soviet Union. There has also been what Professor Samuel Huntington has referred to as "political backsliding," bringing with it a great deal of violence and political chaos.
However, our process of reform has not produced the vicious circle of widened political participation, class conflict, military coups, and suppression of political participation seen in many developing countries. Instead, we have brought about peaceful democratic reform. From a broad perspective of comparative political science, the Taiwan Miracle is an extremely rare example in world history, especially in that after continuing the economic miracle, we have also created the political miracle of a "quiet revolution." This has produced a new paragon for the development of human civilization.
Currently, only 30 nations share diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. However, we have substantive relations with 197 nations and territories around the world. And the close-knit network created by Taiwan businesses has placed the Republic of China in a pivotal position on the map of international trade and investment. At present we are actively promoting the Asia-Pacific Regional Operations Center plan, have applied for membership in the World Trade Organization, and in international trade and investment bodies. We hope to further establish a globalized and liberalized economic climate with which to contribute to the development of the world economy.
The Taiwan Experience is the result of arduous efforts of the 21.4 million people in the Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu area over the last few decades. It was not achieved overnight, but rather through a long process of struggle and birth-giving pain, requiring a high degree of political wisdom and patience. Thus, what is worth learning from and acknowledging is not the result of the Taiwan Experience, but rather the arduous process underlying it.
Peace, the spirit with which the Republic of China was founded, and the common value of the international community today, is the governing ideal I have consistently embraced. In the name of peaceful development, we invited figures from the ruling and opposition parties to the 1990 National Affairs Conference and the just-concluded National Development Conference of last year, to rationally explore directions for national development and create new prospects for our country.
To further relations with the Chinese mainland, we convened the ROC National Assembly, terminated the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion, forswore the use of military force against the mainland, and announced that we would use peaceful means to resolve the issue of national reunification at some time in the future. Our hope is to establish a climate in which future generations will never experience war.
To develop our international relations, the Republic of China has, based on equality and reciprocity, abided by international law and norms, has joined international organizations, has fulfilled its international responsibilities, and is jointly seeking peace, cooperation and prosperity in the international community.
This Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, being conferred upon me today really belongs to the entire citizenry of the Republic of China. On behalf of all of them, I would like to once again thank Boston University and President Westling for their great kindness. I wish your distinguished institution continued success, and each and every one of you good health and happiness. Thank you.