President Chen Shui-bian attended this morning the opening ceremony of the "Shih Ming-teh Chair" hosted by the political science department of the National Taiwan University. The president spoke during his speech that its mission declaration of "ethnic harmony, political reconciliation, and cross-Strait peace" is the earnest expectations and hopes of anyone who cares about and loves Taiwan. As the leader chosen by Taiwan's 23 million people, the president said he was burdened with more responsibilities and a sense of mission in taking the society to fulfill people's common goals and hopes.
The president hoped former Chairman Shih to bring more of his influences in the reconciliation of all political parties. So Nationalist Party Chairman Ma Ying-jeou and the People First Party Chairman James Soong as well as the president could have time together, sit down and conduct dialogues again in the future.
The excerpt of President Chen's remarks:
It's been my pleasure and honor to attend this opening ceremony of the "Shih Ming- teh Chair" at the National Taiwan University. I want to first of all extend my best wishes to Mr. Shih, our beloved former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party. In the past authoritarian days, he was seen as an infamous traitor of the country. He was given life sentences twice and had spent 25 years, one fourth of a century, of his life in jail. He was criminalized by the then government and was dubbed as a "thug" or a "bandit."
Today, the political science department of the National Taiwan University, leader of the country's political science discipline, has established this forum in the name of Mr. Shih to acknowledge his excellent achievement in the pursuance of democracy, freedom, human rights and peace. It is, meanwhile, a move that tells the world that Taiwan has a society that is highly introspective. We are brave enough to face the hurt of the past, and we are courageous enough to prevent the mistakes from repeating themselves.
The "Shih Ming- teh Chair" has set the beliefs of Mr. Shih: Ethnic harmony, political reconciliation, and cross-Strait peace as its mission platform. These, I believe, are also the earnest expectations and hopes of anyone who cares about and loves Taiwan, including me. As the leader chosen by Taiwan's 23 million people, I am burdened with more responsibilities and a sense of mission in taking the society to fulfill our common goals and hopes.
The "Shih Ming- teh Chair" will put together the strengths of the society and resources we can readily use to show to the world Taiwan's efforts regarding freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. All these experiences over the past half-century tell the beautiful story of Taiwan, and the "Shih Ming- teh Chair" is the footnote of this story. Former Chairman Shih has been an active advocate in ethnic harmony, political reconciliation, and cross-Strait peace. He is the hidden hand that pushed for a series of summit meetings between Taiwan's various political parties. All the people of Taiwan and I hope that our dearest former Chairman Shih would bring more of his influences in the reconciliation of all parties. So Chairman Ma Ying-jeou and Chairman James Soong of the opposition parties and I could have time together and sit down and talk again in the future.
I want to congratulate again our most respected former Chairman Shih for his achievements, and extend my gratitude toward all the friends who have made possible the "Shih Ming- teh Chair." And I want to wish all the distinguished guests here good health and happiness.