The full text of President Lee Teng-hui's New Year's Day Message is as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This New Year's Day marks the beginning of the eighty-seventh year of the Republic of China; it also opens a new chapter for national development. While the new year undoubtedly brings many new tests, it is nevertheless filled with new hopes and opportunities. As long as all of our compatriots work together to set goals, remain steadfastly confident, and continuously strive forward, we can overcome all challenges, meet our responsibilities and usher in an even grander and more prosperous future for our country. It is our firm belief that the eighty-seventh year of the Republic of China shall be a year in which we see a fresh start, achieve new successes and scale new heights in national development.
During the past half century, we have labored under a poor resource base at home and incessant challenges and threats from abroad. Only with our people's "esprit de corps" and hard work could we have generated a vigorous developmental momentum and established a solid foundation for national development. In particular, during the last ten years our compatriots have time and again relied on their outstanding intellect and resolute determination to overcome adversities, to surpass challenges, to open a brand-new historical era of freedom, democracy and prosperity, and to garner the following unprecedented glorious accomplishments:
1. A Solid and Mature Democracy
In the past ten years, we have adhered strongly to the principles of popular sovereignty and continued to pursue democratic reforms. Last year we completed the fourth round of constitutional revisions to further balance the functioning of the central government system. We also downsized government organizations, bringing the democratization process to its concluding stages, and thereby, proudly joining the ranks of the world's modernized countries.
2. A Stable and Prosperous Economy
Over the past few decades, our forward-looking economic policy has produced substantial results by simultaneously restructuring the economy successfully and maintaining a high degree of economic growth. Recently, many East Asian countries are being hit hard by a financial crisis. Our government has been paying constant and close attention to the situation and has dealt with it in a proper manner. As a result, Taiwan has been relatively unscathed by the financial crisis. We estimate our economic growth rate for this year to continue to exceed 6 percent. This proves that our economic policies are correct, our economic structure sound, and our prospects rosy.
3. Enhanced National Security
Our remarkable achievements in promoting democratization have added new strength to the world's democratic camp. The fact that the Republic of China exists and has flourished on Taiwan has gained widespread recognition and respect throughout the world. As a result, the world has gradually revised its policies toward the Republic of China. At the same time, we have strengthened and consolidated the combat readiness of our national defense. This has upgraded our national security to a higher level, safeguarding the stable and peaceful environment in which our people live and work. Furthermore, it has allowed the Republic of China to make its own concrete contributions to world peace.
4. Pragmatic and Flexible Mainland Policy
It was ten years ago when the ROC government first allowed people in Taiwan to visit their relatives on the Chinese mainland. Since then, we have taken the initiative to adopt a series of pragmatic and flexible mainland policies and measures, changing the character of cross-strait relations from that of total estrangement and no contacts to the present one of frequent exchanges and close interactions. This development not only serves to promote mutual understanding, but also helps to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As such, it holds great significance to the well-being of the people on both sides of the strait, as well as to long-term national development.
Ladies and gentlemen: While our past accomplishments are worthy of our pride and joy, every day is a new one and there is no end to national development. This is especially true for what we face today. As a thoroughly democratized polity and a new, highly prosperous society, we must arm ourselves with fresh ideas and new methods in order to counter new problems and create new opportunities. Furthermore, as the interdependence between countries deepens day by day, international competition will grow keener and the external environment will become more severe than before. The recent financial crisis that has engulfed countries in East Asia is a salient example. Although its impact on our country has not been very significant to date, nevertheless, it is not something that should be ignored or taken lightly. Instead, we must raise our vigilance and prepare effective countermeasures.
Therefore, as we face the new year, we have carefully weighed and considered the new circumstances. In the hope of bringing national development to a new height, we must strive toward five objectives:
First, we must enhance our economic competitiveness. The recent Asian financial crisis has proved that our economic system can withstand such a trial. It has also demonstrated the importance of maintaining a sound economic system. In the coming year, we must closely monitor both internal and external changes. We must consolidate financial policies and measures, increase domestic demand, and dedicate our efforts toward sustaining a thriving economy. At the same time, we must plan cautiously and comprehensively for reforming our tax system to integrate business and personal income taxes. We must also make appropriate adjustments for the agricultural sector after our accession to the World Trade Organization. Only thus, can we improve our overall economic environment and strengthen our ability to deal with future challenges and competition.
Second, we must cultivate a spirit of diligence and honesty. Being a poorly endowed country, we have achieved our economic success by relying mainly on the strength of the hardworking and industrious character that our citizens possess. This character also includes a strong determination to always try one's best, a willingness to bear hardships, a perseverance in one's pursuit and a preference for a simple lifestyle. However, the rise in the economic prosperity and affluence of the people has been accompanied by a gradual deterioration of social values. Hedonism and indolence have emerged. Should such trends continue unabated, our economic growth would be jeopardized, and seeds of social malaise would take root, adversely affecting our national strength and competitiveness. Therefore, we must embark on spiritual reformation and awaken those traditional qualities of diligence and honesty. We must also implement educational reform to allow our citizens to reestablish a healthy, simple, and positive outlook. Only so can our society shine with vigor and vitality, and forge ahead toward greater progress.
Third, we must foster a law-abiding spirit. Democracy and rule of law are two sides of the same coin. Once democracy is developed, the strengthening of rule of law must follow. Only in this way can group harmony coexist with respect for the individual's freedom. Democracy can then proceed smoothly and unhindered, producing all the functions and values that come naturally with it. Therefore, we must carry out thorough judicial reforms, uphold social justice, combat crime, and remove deficiencies, so as to maintain social stability and build a democratic, orderly, and civilized society.
Fourth, we must establish a responsible and efficient government. We have entered a democratic era where sovereign power resides in the people. We are also part of a pluralistic and rapidly changing society. As such, the people have placed higher expectations for and heavier responsibilities on their government. The fourth constitutional reform completed last year will serve to balance the functioning of the central government and streamline its structure. This will establish a more responsible and efficient government, one that is capable of meeting the needs and expectations of its people. Henceforth, governments of all levels--in particular, local governments which must deal directly with the people's livelihood and welfare--must administer in accordance with the laws and regulations, must take greater responsibility for their actions, must develop new ideas, and must take the initiative to implement necessary reforms. Only in this way can the government expand its administrative functions, increase its services, and build a democratic government that is truly "of the people."
Fifth, we must establish a society with a rich cultural content. We must not pursue economic progress at the expense of cultural development. Only by pursuing both will we be able to maintain a balance between material civilization and spiritual values. Today, in contrast with our prosperous economic life, the spiritual life for a majority of the general populace has become somewhat barren. This has resulted in a lack of profound cultural refinement and broad-mindedness in our society, which in turn has caused alienation amongst the people and a growing intensity in conflicts. Therefore, we must enrich our cultural content, lay a solid foundation for spiritual cultivation, and attach equal importance to humanity and culture as we do to economic development. Both must be advanced simultaneously in order to attain a harmonious, honest and culture-rich society.
Ladies and gentlemen: During the past half century, the Republic of China on Taiwan has weathered many epochal storms, and yet has managed to stand firm and unwavering through it all. This is due to the fact that at each stage of its development, the Republic of China has been able to set up new goals and formulate new priorities based on an existing foundation and, with the people and the government working hand in hand, to gradually propel the nation to new heights of success. In the coming new year, as long as the entire population of the Republic of China continues to work in unison, greater confidence will be rekindled and greater power amassed to open a bright and glorious era for the Republic of China in 1998.