Ensure Republic of China Continuity and Commitment to Unity

Ensure Republic of China Continuity and Commitment to Unity
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
January 2, 2011

President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday delivered a New Year's Day message. President Ma said he hoped one day all Chinese would be like those on Taiwan. They would all enjoy freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a pluralistic way of life. Such a dream is not some distant dream. These ideals have already been achieved -- on Taiwan. They are not the monopoly of Westerners. The Taiwan experience should serve as an example for Mainland China's future development.
The Republic of China is now one hundred years old! The CCA has repeatedly broadcast a television ad. Lin Jue-min can be found in public school textbooks. But otherwise, how many people know who the heroes in the ad are? They fulfilled their sacred duty and saved the lives of their countrymen. But how many people care about their sacrifices? One hundred years ago, young people had revolutionary spirit. They founded the Republic of China. One hundred years later, all young people care about is finding a job, getting paid well, and whether they can attend a pop concert tomorrow.

One hundred years has resulted in a vast gap in the dreams we dream. But we need not feel bad. History invariably repeats itself. Obstacles to progress arise during every era. For example, for the first time in the history of the Republic of China, a president guilty of corruption is serving time in prison. As early as 88 years ago, the Republic of China had a president who bought official positions with vast sums of money -- Tsao Kun. The question is whether we can step off the treadmill?

Even more importantly, as we celebrate the Republic of China centennial, we should stop to ask ourselves whether the dream we have pursued so long been achieved? Is there still work to be done? Over the past 100 years, how many names have gone down in history? How many have not, yet laid down their lives for this troubled nation? How many have left behind an enduring legacy for this century-old system and culture? Will we remember them? Will we be grateful to them?

For half a century, the Republic of China remained trapped within a maelstrom of war and chaos. During the second half-century, on Taiwan, the ROC underwent the White Terror and the Formosa Incident. How many peoples' youth and dreams were lost in the pursuit of democracy? The ROC was the first democratic republic in Asia. It was reborn on Taiwan. Step by step, it stumbled toward its revolutionary ideals. It implemented rent reduction and land to the tiller policies, creating one of the world's most stunning economic miracles. It went from local self-government to the direct election of mayors and county chiefs, provincial governors, and even presidents. The peaceful change of ruling parties effected a quiet revolution, Democracy on Taiwan has become like air and water, It is our constant companion. But even today, its quality is still unsatisfactory.

The ROC has endured for a century. It nearly perished. The loss of the Mainland portion of its territory, paradoxically permitted the island of Formosa to thrive amidst the chaos. Perpetuating the Republic of China required much hardship. Suppression by Beijing went on for nearly four decades. The Republic of China national title, national flag, and national anthem have virtually disappeared from the international stage. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party has long made replacing the Republic of China by a new state its party platform. Under assault from without and within, the Republic of China centennial is undeniably bittersweet.

The CCP and the KMT fought each other for half a century. But they cannot avoid celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution at the same time. Nor can they deny that this was the revolution that created the Republic of China, not the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China still exists. It continues to hold flag-raising ceremonies, and sing the national anthem.

The goal of the Democratic Progressive Party meanwhile, is to establish an independent state, Therefore even at this unique moment in history, it refuses to participate in any Republic of China centennial activities. It cannot however deny that it was once the ruling party of the Republic of China. It once set government policy. Countless DPP members have sworn allegience to the Republic of China, under the ROC flag State and in front of the ROC public.

The Republic of China is 100 years old! Yet it faces countless dangers, internally and externally. The Republic of China may be one hundred years old. But a Republic of China passport will still permit one to visit one hundred different countries, visa-free. The flag however, continues to present an awkward problem. Sun Yat-sen held egalitarian ideals. But following Taiwan's economic miracle, the gap between rich and poor increased.

President Ma said the two sides should not struggle over matters of political authority. They should not stuggle over reunification vs. independence. They should not struggle over international manuevering room. They should strive toward freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and other core values. They should encourage each other and support each other.

The revolution has yet to succeed, Comrades must continue to struggle! The good news is that we need no longer shed blood in pursuit of our dreams. When we look up at the night sky and the splendor of fireworks displays, we should remember that the martyrs were equally moved. They sacrificed themselves to found the Republic of China. It may be imperfect, but at least it is still here. It is still a good place. We who live in this nation, should promise to live up to the efforts of our forebears. We must ensure that each generation bequeath succeeding generations a greater heritage and a better life.

為中華民國承先啟後、團結永續許諾
2011-01-02 中國時報

馬英九總統昨日發表元旦祝詞，馬總統說，希望有一天，所有炎黃子孫都能和台灣人民一樣，享有自由、民主與法治的多元生活方式，這樣的夢想並不遙遠，因為這些價值在台灣都已經實現，不是西方人的專利，台灣經驗應可作為中國大陸未來發展的借鏡。

中華民國一百年了！當文建會廣告反覆在電視播出的時刻，除了林覺民成了教科書上的一頁教材，還有多少人知道廣告中的主角們到底是誰？他們「行天職以救同胞」的胸懷，還能感動多少人？一百年前，年輕人的抱負是革命以建民國；一百年後，年輕人關心的是找不找得到工作、能賺多少錢、甚至明天要趕哪一場演唱會？

百年夢想的落差直如天淵，但也不必感傷，歷史總是在重複或循環中前進，任何時代都會出現阻礙進步的變數。這正好像：中華民國出現第一個因貪汙入獄的總統，而早在八十八年前，中華民國就已有一個巨款買來大位的賄選總統曹錕。重要的是，我們能不能超越這些循環？

更重要的是，當我們歡慶民國百年之際，靜下心來反思，我們一路追求的夢想達成了沒有？還有未竟之功嗎？在這一百年裡，曾經有多少留下名字，或是未留下一個名字的人們，或是為這個多災多難的國家，奉獻了身家性命；或是為這個成就百年的制度與文化基業，留下永恆的功業，我們會記得嗎？會感謝嗎？

中華民國曾經有長達半個世紀，陷在戰火與紛亂的漩渦裡，後半世紀在台灣，也曾經走過白色恐怖、走過美麗島事件，多少人的青春歲月、夢想與生命，葬送在追求民主的路程中，做為亞洲第一個民主共和國，在台灣重生的中華民國，在顛簸中一步一步實行著當年革命黨人的理想，從三七五減租、耕者有其田、到創造舉世驚艷的經濟奇蹟；從地方自治、縣市長民選、直轄市長民選、省長民選、總統民選、到政黨輪替創造了寧靜革命，民主在台灣已成為空氣與水，日日與我們相伴，儘管到今天，這個空氣品質始終未盡人意。

走過一百年，曾經幾乎亡國的中華民國失去了秋海棠，卻讓福爾摩沙之島在喧囂中，洋溢著生命力。不可諱言，為了讓這個中華民國永續，也確實備嘗艱辛。在對岸的抵制下，已經有近四十年的時間，代表中華民國的國號、國旗與國歌幾乎已在國際場合消失；同樣的，台灣在野的民進黨，也早將建立新國家取代中華民國，做為該黨的黨綱。在這種內外煎逼之下，中華民國邁向一百年，還是帶著些許苦澀的。

只不過，共產黨與國民黨曾爭鬥半世紀，卻也不能不同步紀念辛亥革命一百年，更不能不承認辛亥革命創造的是中華民國，而非中華人民共和國，中華民國迄今依舊紅紅火火地存在。當然，也依舊在升國旗、唱國歌。

同樣的，民進黨以獨立建國為目標，因而即使在這個特殊的歷史時刻，依舊拒絕參與一切與中華民國一百年相關的活動，卻也不能不承認，他們曾經是中華民國的執政黨，曾經主導過政府施政，無數民進黨人也都在中華民國國旗之下宣誓效忠國家與人民。

民國一百年了！對內、對外，還有無數險阻困難，儘管民國一百年，中華民國護照可望行走一百個國家免簽證，但這面國旗、這個國號依舊處於相對尷尬的處境；孫文均富的理想，在台灣創造經濟奇蹟後，又拉開了貧富差距。

馬總統強調，兩岸間不應該是政權之爭，不應該是統獨之爭，不應該是國際空間之爭，而應努力在自由、民主、人權、法治等核心價值上，彼此激勵，相互提升。

革命尚未成功，同志仍須努力！值得慶幸的是，我們不必再以拋頭顱、灑熱血的方式追求我們的夢想，當我們仰望夜空燦爛的煙火，記得：烈士們同樣感動，因為他們犧牲而創建的中華民國，雖然不夠完美，但依舊存在，還算幸福。我們所有生活在這個國度的人們，最應該許的承諾就是，絕對不能辜負前人的努力，更要將我們一代代所努力打造出的美好傳承與生活方式，繼續保留下去！