Vice President Vincent C. Siew made a trip on June 29 to Taichung in his capacity as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Centenary Celebrations of the Republic of China to formally kick off a series of activities to publicize next year's celebrations to mark the nation's 100th year.
Vice President Siew was accompanied by Council for Cultural Affairs Minister Emile C. J. Sheng, Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu, and members of the Preparatory Committee for the Centenary Celebrations of the Republic of China. The group went to Wanhe Temple in Taichung City to light incense and also visited a 100-year-old agricultural implements shop. In addition, a marketing and publicity seminar for the centenary celebrations was held at the Wanhe Temple. Vice President Siew received a briefing from Cultural Affairs Minister Sheng and also listened to suggestions by prominent members of the community, which he said will be used as reference in the planning of activities in the future. Vice President Siew also expressed his hopes that everyone will actively assist in related activities to make next year's celebrations a rousing success. In the afternoon, Vice President Siew was accompanied by Taichung County Magistrate Huang Chung-sheng on a visit to Ming Tai High School where he attended another seminar.
In prepared remarks, Vice President Siew stated that the centenary of the ROC carries far-reaching significance. He said that citizens in Taiwan today enjoy greater freedom than at any other time since the establishment of the ROC. Moreover, we also have the most prosperous economy, the highest degree of universal education, the most pluralistic thinking, the most democratic politics, and the most stable peace in the history of the Chinese people. He pointed out that the ROC wants to show the world its achievements and share its pride with others.
The vice president said a series of activities to mark the nation's centenary are being planned for northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, as well as the offshore islands. For instance, he specially announced on June 26 at the Golden Melody Awards that next year on the birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the nation's founding father, the biggest musical concert in the history of the Chinese people will be held at Kaohsiung National Stadium. In addition, on October 10 next year (Double Tenth Day), a huge birthday celebration will be held at Asia's largest amphitheatre, Fulfillment Amphitheater in Taichung City. He noted that renowned director Stan Lai will be in charge of the preparatory work for this show, and invited friends from throughout the world to congregate in Taichung to celebrate the nation's 100th year.
After the conclusion of the seminar, Vice President Siew made a special visit to the Lin Hsien-tang Residence and the Lin Family Compound in Wufeng Township of Taichung County, which is a national historic site. The vice president stated that the Lin family from Wufeng made enormous contributions to the ROC, noting that Mr. Lin Zumi helped finance Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities. After the revolution succeeded, in 1913 he resolutely applied to the Japanese authorities to renounce his Japanese citizenship and then became an ROC national. This demonstrates the determination and efforts made by people of lofty ideals from Taiwan and their importance in the establishment of the ROC, he said. Vice President Siew said he hopes that everyone in the future will think of our forefathers and learn from their courage and patriotism.