President Lee Teng-hui gave a message on the eve of the Republic of China's National Day. The full text of his National Day Message is as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Today is the 1998 National Day of the Republic of China. We are gathered here, our hearts brimming with happiness, to celebrate the birth of our nation and, at the same time, solemnly take stock of the development of our country.
The formidable ordeals we experienced founding our country constituted a heroic chapter in modern world history, worthy of poetic praise and tears of gratitude. The recent achievements of the Republic of China on Taiwan have added one more glorious page to the history of human civilization. For 87 years, despite the incessant changes and tribulations on our national front, we have never failed to adhere to the ideals of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, our Founding Father, and, hence, have risen above the adversities and defeated the challenges. We have opened a new era of freedom and prosperity and proved to the world that truth is invincible and justice is always the winner.
In the past ten years or more, we have gone one step further to gradually push forward constitutional reform and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, in line with Dr. Sun's political ideal of "popular sovereignty." As a result, we have built a democratic system of deciding public affairs by the free will of all the people. We have carried out a "quiet revolution," winning worldwide acclaim and adding a new source of vigor to the camp of democracy. In the future, challenges may still come thick and fast from abroad and home, but we, already on the right side of history, are sure to overcome all the difficulties and stride forward to a great and brilliant future as long as we stay the course and remain united as one.
Judging from the circumstances that now surround us both at home and abroad, we must have a firm grasp of the world trend and complete the following renovations so that our national development may be further advanced well into the upcoming century.
With the recent constitutional reform as a guiding principle, we must streamline the administrative system and reinvent the government. Legislation for this purpose as well as a series of action plans have been initiated. They have to be meticulously formulated and thoroughly implemented in order to attain greater efficacy in governance and higher national competitiveness. At the same time, we should take into account the need of long-term national development and the worldwide trend of development so that we may have a more forward-looking and better-crafted system of democracy serving as a firm foundation for sustainable national development.
We are happy to note that initial headway has been made in our national effort to foster a happy, orderly and vigorous society based upon the two pillars of equity and justice. We have scored preliminary successes in educational reform, judicial renovation, and law and order. But, new ideas and new problems keep cropping up in a fast changing society such as ours. We must further improve long-range planning, continue the reform initiatives, make welfare services easily accessible, and strengthen the social security mechanism. It is hoped that the well-being of all the people will thus be enhanced on the basis of equity and justice.
Good economic fundamentals have enabled us to sustain domestic prosperity and effectively cope with the sweeping Asian financial turmoil. In this regard, we have drawn worldwide attention and praise. From now on, we must devote special efforts to promoting an even healthier economic structure, removing barriers to investment, expanding the domestic market, and speeding up industrial upgrading. At the same time, we must guard against any aftershocks of the regional financial crisis and be prepared to create a new window of opportunity for our economy.
Based upon the principle of persistent defense and effective deterrence, we will continue with the military consolidation plan and the deployment of second-generation weaponry and equipment required for a modern defense force. At the same time, to ensure better security for our country, we must take advantage of our strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region and step up dialogue and cooperation with related nations in the interests of regional security and peace. As we continue our policy of national security and regional stability, our citizens must remain vigilant against any latent danger, recognize that national security guarantees safety for all, and pledge ourselves as the strongest bulwark for national security.
Our pragmatic efforts to participate in the international community, based on the ideal of mutual assistance and cooperation for world peace and prosperity, have begun to win recognition and approval from many nations. Henceforth, on the strength of our economic prowess and our democratic achievements, we will expand our presence in international organizations and activities. We will also increase international exchanges and cooperation, play a more prominent constructive role, dismantle anachronistic and unreasonable constraints on the international scene, and help shape a new world order of peace, cooperation and prosperity in the 21st century.
We are committed to the ideal of democracy, freedom and equitable prosperity in pragmatically promoting cross-strait relations. We are looking forward to constructive dialogue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait based on the reality of divided rule. The two sides should promote mutual understanding through exchanges, dispel hostility through reciprocity, and seek eventual reunification under democracy by a gradualist approach. At the same time, we hope the Chinese communist authorities will recognize the world trend of democratization and thoroughly revamp their social and political system. For the sake of the long-term well-being of all Chinese people, they should also adopt a practical attitude, take a broader view, and foster a peaceful, stable, mutually beneficial and co-prosperous cross-strait relationship.
Ladies and Gentlemen: In the 87 years since its founding, the Republic of China has weathered an endless series of blows and trials. Throughout, it has stood tall, testifying that our nation-building spirit remains undiminished and that we have never stopped striving. Our faith and our feats have profound significance to the 21.8 million people and their descendants in the Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu area; they will also greatly influence the Chinese mainland*s future course of development. Looking into the 21st century, I firmly believe that the Republic of China, with its people united in faith and in action, will shine even more brilliantly in the future.
In closing, may I wish the Republic of China great prosperity and every one of you good health and happiness. Thank you.