An ancient Greek philosopher once said that each person has a seed of goodness buried deep in his heart, and that the value of life lies in allowing this very small seed to germinate and grow strong and robust. Rotary International's spirit of service is the rain and sunshine that has irrigated and provided nourishment for this seed to grow.
Yesterday, I completed a five-day "Journey of Marine Partnership and Sun" trip, visiting the three countries in the Pacific which have diplomatic ties with Taiwan: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu. That was the first time the President of the R.O.C. visited those countries and contained much historical significance in strengthening our friendship with them. I also had a conversation with the newly-elected President of the Republic of Nauru. On my way back, my stopover was in the Republic of Fiji, a country with whom we have no diplomatic ties. I was received by the chairman and members of their "Great Council of Chiefs" who hosted a dinner party for me. It greatly multiplied the already abundant fruits of this "Journey of Marine Partnership and Sun" trip. It could be said that it was a most satisfying visit.
These diplomatic allies may be in terms of material progress lag behind Taiwan. But this fact does not in the least affect their friendship and support for the government and people of Taiwan. I believe that we have received more than we could give from this international trip. It was an application of the motto of Rotary International: "Those who serve their partners reap the most benefit."
This "Journey of Marine Partnership and Sun" enabled me to feel a lot of goodness. Each country, regardless of size and population, had its own value and charm just like a jewel or a precious gem. Big does not mean good. Sometimes, the smaller, the more valuable. For example, the Republic of the Marshall Islands was placed under U.S. trusteeship after the Second World War. The Americans wanted to establish a federation among the many Pacific islands under its trusteeship. However, the people of the Marshall Islands insisted on maintaining their national integrity and passed a constitution for self-government in 1979, giving birth to their republic.
The trip to our three diplomatic allies was far and arduous. It was a real effort to consolidate our diplomatic ties. But it enabled me to profoundly experience the infinity of truth. As I stood on a beach in Kiribati and saw the world's first sunrise, I saw the beauty of the sea blending with the sky. I was moved at the immensity of earth and heaven, at the boundlessness of the universe. As the saying goes, "The heavens are bigger than what we can see, there are persons besides ourselves." This saying exhorts us to be humble and not give in to parochial arrogance, as it challenges us not to be complacent, not to put limit to ourselves. The world has many other places waiting for us to explore and develop. Taiwan is an island country in the Pacific. But we are not a lonely isle. We have to resolutely rise and bravely go out into the world.
China is an important and highly promising market. But it is not the only and final market. The world has many places worth exploring and developing. Due to our common language and historical background, there may be more advantages for Taiwan to have more dealings with China. However, we should not allow those advantages to become the blind spot that prevents us from developing our foreign relations and hinder us from turning our gaze to the world. If Taiwan has the will to become a global island, we should not allow our blind spots to condemn us into a corner. We do not want to do business just with China but with the whole world. We just need to widen our base, build it deep and the whole edifice would stand tall and majestic. I would like to encourage my countrymen to travel to all countries and experience the immensity of the heavens.
Finally, I would again like to sincerely welcome and thank all our friends in the Rotary Club and wish much success for this convention. I wish everyone good health and good life!
Thank you!