The full text of President Lee's New Year's Day Message is as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On this first day of January 1999, the Republic of China faces a new year brimming with hope. It is also a new beginning for us to fortify our faith, and unite once again to scale new heights in national development.
Over the past year, our nation has achieved, through the concerted efforts of its entire populace, brilliant progress in the areas of politics, economics, national security, foreign relations, and cross-strait relations.
In politics, the 1997 constitutional revision for streamlining government organization and hierarchy is being executed on a step-by-step basis, in accordance with due legal procedures. Government re-organization, which affects our national competitiveness, is being systematically implemented. The three elections for public offices last December were completed smoothly through responsible participation by our people. All this repeatedly demonstrates that our democratic system has grown increasingly mature. We have not only realized the democratic ideal of "popular sovereignty," but we have also laid a solid foundation for the long-term peace and stability of our nation.
In the field of economics, compared with other countries, we have emerged relatively unscathed from the Asian financial crisis, which broke out more than a year ago. Owing to a sound economic system and appropriate government countermeasures, the crisis did not exert an excessively adverse impact on our overall economic stability and growth. We have thus established an exemplary model of economic development for the international community.
In national security, we have obtained concrete results in our efforts to establish a modern national defense system. We have greatly strengthened the legal framework for national defense, reorganized military personnel, accelerated the upgrading of the military strength, and developed defense technology. In particular, our defense policies of maintaining Asia-Pacific stability and security and of pursuing world peace have won support and recognition both at home and abroad, further safeguarding our national security.
In the area of foreign relations, despite heavy-handed interference by Peking to constrain the ROC's international presence, our dedication to implementing democracy, developing economic and trade relations, and contributing to the international community has persuaded the world to recognize the ROC's existence, development and success, thus raising our status in the global community.
In cross-strait relations, at our insistence and with our efforts, "constructive dialogue" finally emerged, after a hiatus of over three years, with the meeting between the chairmen of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS). We have clearly communicated to the Chinese mainland our basic positions that we will promote relations across the strait based upon the principles of democracy and parity, and that the future China can only be reunited under democracy, freedom, and equitable prosperity. We believe that such communication will definitely enhance mutual understanding between the two sides and put relations across the strait on the right track.
Ladies and gentlemen, for half a century, we have focused the collective efforts of our people on cultivating the bountiful fruits of freedom, democracy, and prosperity in this land, writing a new chapter of history. As we march toward the 21st century today, there are, however, even more new tasks and challenges before us. Therefore, how to grasp the trend and create opportunities so that the country may develop on a grander scale are important goals to which we must dedicate ourselves this year.
1. Consolidating Democratic and Constitutional Institutions
Democracy is not just a political system; it is a way of life. In recent years, our devotion to democratic reform has continuously advanced the maturity of our democracy, but there is still room for improvement. From now on, we must further strengthen constitutional institutions and enhance the democratic underpinnings of our people so that the spirit of democracy will be instilled in our people and the democratic and constitutional institutions can last forever.
2. Reorganizing the Government
In this era of information, globalization, and democratization, all levels of government agencies and organizations must be able to respond to the trends of social development, comprehend the needs of the people, and overhaul organizational divisions of labor and workflow processes. As a result of this government reorganization, we will improve administrative efficiency, augment public welfare, enhance national strength, and build up international competitiveness.
3. Sustaining Economic Development
In today's world, where economic interdependence has become increasingly complex among the nations of the world, no single country can escape from being influenced by the international environment. Therefore, we must react in a timely manner to changes in the outside world, actively build a healthy economic system, accelerate adjustments to the economic structure and step up international cooperation. On such a solid foundation, we will thus be able to launch even brighter prospects for our economic development.
4. Expediting Judiciary Reform
The judiciary branch is the bulwark that safeguards democracy and dispenses social justice. Without a sound judicial system, there cannot be a stable democracy, let alone an orderly and harmonious civil society. With democratization, social and economic progress, and the worldwide evolution toward human rights, we must speed up judicial reform. We have to ensure that the judicial system will effectively perform its juridical function and establish its credibility with the public, so as to become a strong pillar of support for our democratic and pluralistic society.
5. Upholding Social Justice
Economic prosperity has created a richer nation, but it has placed some of the less-privileged in an even more disadvantaged position. It behooves a present-day government to provide the best protection to all of its citizens on the basis of fairness and justice. Therefore, the government from now on should uphold social justice, build a sound social welfare system, and further safeguard the interests of the less-privileged, so as to ensure the well-being of all citizens in addition to promoting social harmony, stability, and development.
Ladies and gentlemen, the sovereignty of a nation belongs to all the people of such nation. The future, the destiny, the reform, as well as the development of a country are the compelling responsibilities of its citizenry. Here, in our society, although we came to Taiwan at different times and from different places, every one of us dedicates oneself to and works for the prosperity and development of this land, making irreplaceable contributions. Taiwan is our home. If we stop categorizing ourselves on the basis of ethnic or native origins, and if we empathize with and tolerate each other, unite closely together, continue to promote the Taiwan spirit, and fully cooperate with each other, I am confident that we can overcome all difficulties and challenges, and fulfill the mission of creating an even more brilliant future for our country in the 21st century.
Let us together wish continuing prosperity to the Republic of China. Happy New Year to all our citizens. May you have health and happiness.