請選有赤子心腸, 肯為人民捨命做事的人. 不選霸權分贓的政黨.
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宋楚瑜 政 見 (一)
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宋楚瑜 政見 (八)
SHARING A COMMON FUTURE ---TAIWAN AND JAPAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY---
A Speech Presentation by
The Honorable James C.Y. Soong
Distinguished Visiting Fellow
Institute of East Asian Studies
University of California, Berkeley
Bunker Distinguished Visitor
The Asia Foundation
Josui Kaikan, 2-1-1 Hitotsubashi,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 9
Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine
Fellow Alumni,
Friends and Families of the U.C. Berkeley
Alumni Association in Japan,
Members of the Press,
~~~~~
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am going to start tonight with a story. I was invited by U.C. Berkeley's Institute of East Asian Studies last week to give a lecture presentation on campus. I was delighted to return to our alma mater and share my views on contemporary issues with students and alumni from one of the world' finest academic institutions. While on campus, I was greeted warmly by students, members of the faculty, and fellow alumni, just like tonight. Indeed it has always been with pride when someone says that he is a graduate of the University of California, and I am no exception. As we are gathered here tonight to celebrate the proud traditions of the University of California, I would like to ask you to join me in reciting that one chant which ties all of us together, "GO BEARS! "(or "KUMA GABARE !")
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored and delighted to have the opportunity this evening to visit the U.C. Berkeley Alumni Association in Japan and speak to all of you on issues that concern the common future of Taiwan and Japan. Indeed, with common background in historical and cultural heritages, Taiwan and Japan should coordinate efforts and cooperate with each other amidst uncertainties in the future. Moreover, the long- standing friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan should serve as the basis for a "modus operandi" on important regional and international issues. First, however, I would like to talk to you about the concept of sharing.
Sharing, as used here, means the emotional connection and the objective quality that bind peoples or things in unity, not some physical characteristics commonly displayed on surface. In this day and age of "me-first-and-only," few people would consider sharing fashionable. Coupled with the arrival of supercomputers and the advent of digital thought process, sharing is a concept that is often downright neglected. However,with increasing complexity of even the simplest tasks, sharing has again become the focus of concern as teamwork is often required to meet the stated objective. In short, sharing maybe an unpopular concept to some, but it could help us brace for the challenges ahead through concerted efforts and teamwork.
Let me illustrate this point by using the gathering here tonight as an example. We are gathered here tonight because of our ties to the University of California. In many ways, we share that common "Berkeley experience" which is characterized by academic excellence and student diversity. Furthermore, we all retain many fond memories from our years at Berkeley, myself included, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the memories are similar or even identical. As some of you might know, I was a graduate student in the Political Science Department in the mid-1960s. While most of us had only limited means back then, our spirits were high and our souls were rich because we were getting a first-rate education from one of the finest institutions in the world. More importantly, most of us were being exposed, for the first time, to the notion and the ways of democracy. From the parade of uninvited speakers who openly expressed their views at Sproul Plaza to the religious troupers dancing down Telegraph Avenue, it was indeed an "eye- opening" experience for us over the degree and extent of freedom characteristic of both the Berkeley education and lifestyle. From that experience on campus, we came to understand the true meaning of democracy, which is most evident in its ability to appreciate diverse views and hold professionalism in high esteem. Moreover, we came to realize that the factors which make the Berkeley experience unique are the same ones that make the United States prosperous in the post-war years--specifically the ability to build consensus from diverse perspectives that, in turn, constitutes the force for innovation and advancement.
There is an old Chinese proverb that says"It is more rewarding travelling thousands of miles than merely reading thousands of books." Over the years I have visited 49 of the 50 states in the U.S. In fact, I have journeyed through the Indian settlements in the Dakotas, and I have also visited Santa Fe and indulged myself with its beautiful sunset. From these visits, I have realized that the factor which binds the United States of America together lies with the strength of its social cohesion over its components. That is, while the geographical landscape may change from place to place, one could invariably discover, wherever one goes, that commonly shared aspiration for the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Indeed, although the lifestyle may be different among the various ethnic groups in America, they all share that universal vision for a future based on freedom, equality, and justice for all. Therefore, whether one calls such a social phenomenon the result of the "Melting Pot," or the "Salad Bowl" theory, this shared vision effectively combines the qualities and the spirits of the people in America into the underlying motivation for continued growth and prosperity.
The same adaptive capacity has been equally responsible for Japan's post-war economic success. To most foreigners, Japan is a place of ancient gods and customs, and yet it is also on the cutting edge of state-of-the-art modernity. Indeed, upon closer examination, one could easily discover that Japan is a land of many contrasts, and sometimes, the contrasts may appear even dichotomous. For instance, one can catch sight of a farmer cultivating his paddy field, and just a few blocks away, one may be surrounded by video-game parlors in the suburb of a sprawling metropolis. On the other hand, one could be browsing the latest fashions in a chic designer boutique one day, and the next visiting temples and shrines where the ancient gods are worshipped. While the natural landscape may change as dramatically as in America, the energy and creativity exhibited by the Japanese people are indicative of the degree of its phenomenal socioeconomic success since World War II.
Without any doubt, Japan has achieved so much and made such an impact in the world within a time span of mere generations. Embarked down the road to industrialization at lightning speed, Japan has effectively shed its feudal past and become one of the most powerful and outwardly engaging countries in Asia in a matter of decades. While the factors responsible for Japan's postwar growth are diverse and multi-faceted, one cannot deny the tremendous ability of the Japanese people to critically self- reflect, to learn from the past, and to absorb valuable lessons from others in its drive towards modernity. In fact, one can trace the demonstration of such capabilities all the way back to the period of Meiji Ishin, when Japan declared to "seek knowledge throughout the world" in its modernization efforts. In retrospect, Japan has been able to retain the essence of its cultural heritages as the foundation while absorbing the scientific and technological advancements of the West in building an industrial base for growth. This unique combination of modernity with tradition, in turn, has enabled Japan to transform itself from the ruins of war to the envy of the globe, and this blurring of boundaries between East and West, between traditional and modern, thus makes Japan today as neither wholly one nor the other.
The success that the world has witnessed in Japan is no accident. Many people and factors are responsible for this success story. Let me begin by reminding everyone here tonight of three Japanese philosophers and educators who pioneered spiritual and educational reforms preceding the birth of modern Japan. I have in my hand three Japanese currency bills, with 1,000-Yen, 5,000-Yen, and 10,000-Yen denomination each. On the face of these bills are portraits of the three renowned philosophers, namely Natsume Soseki on the 1,000-Yen, Nitobe Inazou on the 5,000-Yen, and, of course, Fukuzawa Yukichi on the 10,000-Yen. Natsume Soseki was generally viewed as a "Bun Ka Jin." He was highly regarded for the studies and writings on English literature during the Meiji and Taishyo years, and many of his works have been passed on for generations as the leading authority in Western literary studies. Nitobe Inazou, on the other hand, was a leading agricultural specialist during the Meiji, Taishiyo, and Shyowa years. In fact, he was responsible for building the necessary infrastructure, from analysis of soil texture to planting techniques, for sugar manufacturing in Taiwan. Last month there was an academic seminar in Tainan, Taiwan, to commemorate Nitobe Inazou's many contributions to Taiwan's agricultural development. What was more important, however, was his later accomplishments as an educator. In his book entitled, "Bushido," Nitobe Inazou eloquently introduced Japanese culture to the rest of the world and, in turn, generated tremendous enthusiasm from the West in the pursuit of Japanese studies.
Last but not least, Fukuzawa Yukichi was viewed by most as a leading Japanese educator and philosopher. Following reform measures implemented during the Meiji Ishin, Fukuzawa Yukichi foresaw the need for "thought reform." Specifically he urged for the qualitative improvement of people's self-being and the enhancement of people's comprehension of modernity. Fukuzawa Yukichi once stated that," Our nation's independence is our common goal, and to achieve that goal, our people must strengthen their sense of self-being and independence." During the Meiji Ishin, Fukuzawa Yukichi resigned from government position and devoted his life to education. He was remembered and respected as most responsible to Japan's primary education, and the school he founded later became Keio University, a place that allowed students and researchers to freely transmit knowledge and new concepts conducive to change.
These three important figures in Japanese history share one common theme in their lifetime's work, namely their commitment and contribution to education. Irrespective of their own training, they foresaw the need to educate the younger generations and, in turn, prepare Japan for the challenges posed by a rapidly changing world. While others may downgrade the relevance of education, I personally value education as the foundation upon which a nation derives the inspiration and vision for its future. Over the years, I had the opportunity of visiting many cities and prefectures in Japan. I still remember vividly my visit to Hagi City where I saw the stone, with the engraving by the late Prime Minister Sato that read, "Herein marks the birthplace of Meiji Ishin," located at the school founded by Yoshida Shoin. I was moved emotionally because the stone, in essence, symbolized the importance of education and the ability of Japan to heighten self-awareness through self- examination in its drive towards modernity. I am certain many of you would agree that without the emphasis on education, Japan's seeds of modernization could not have been so deeply implanted; and without the ability to critically self-reflect, Japan could not have been able to extract valuable lessons from others as well as its own past as it marched down the path of modernization. It is not a coincidence, therefore, that Japan has the highest literacy rate among industrialized nations; that Japanese, on average, demonstrate a seemingly insatiable appetite for knowledge and truth, as evidenced by the total amount of newspapers circulated in Japan daily; and that top artists around the world would contend for an opportunity to perform in Japan because they know they would be accorded with the state-of-the-art facilities and an exceptional audience worthy of their talents. From classical music to contemporary arts, the educational system in Japan trains students not for test- taking purposes, but to meet the needs of a modern citizen for the 21st century.
Compared with Japan, Taiwan has placed equal emphasis on education over the course of its postwar socioeconomic development. The roots of this emphasis on education can be traced to traditional Confucian thoughts that placed the educated above everyone else. As most of you know, Taiwan is a densely populated island with limited natural resources. Like Japan, Taiwan needs to trade with others in order for the economy to grow and flourish. With few natural resources at its disposal, Taiwan's advantage in external trade is derived mainly from its abundant supply of skilled labor, which was the result of concerted government efforts in education at all levels. With a predominantly agricultural base, Taiwan went through a series of economic re-structuring aimed at upgrading its economy. Today, as the world's 14th largest trading nation, Taiwan has accumulated the second-highest level of foreign reserves, next only to Japan's. It has also successfully transformed its economy from being predominantly labor- intensive to one characterized by technology-driven manufacturing.
At the same time, the economic interdependence between Taiwan and Japan is more telling of the close ties that has long existed between our two countries. For instance, Taiwan is today the second largest export market for Japan, next only to the United States, and Taiwan is Japan's fourth largest source of imports, behind only the United States, the People's Republic of China, and South Korea. As the world is becoming truly a "global village," interdependence between countries and regions should transcend the distance in time and space to achieve efficiency in resource allocation and ensure fairness in competition. In the wake of Taiwan's socioeconomic accomplishments, successive political reforms have subsequently liberalized and democratized its polity. Following expanded participation and the enhancement in the quality of democracy, the next wave of Taiwan's democratization is to guarantee everyone an equal opportunity to compete and share in the fruits of its developmental accomplishments.
From cultural heritages to patterns of socioeconomic development, Taiwan and Japan are mirror images of each other in many aspects. With an equal emphasis on education, both Taiwan and Japan possess that adaptive capability to confront the challenges ahead. After years of robust growth and conspicuous consumption, both Japan and Taiwan need to battle economic malaise brought on by the Asian financial crisis, and both are intent on restoring the rate of growth more characteristic of the "East Asian economic miracle." On the other hand, Taiwan and Japan are intimately tied by the strategic location of each vis-a-vis the other. From the outbreak of Korean War to US-PRC rapprochement, the United States had formulated the so-called "containment policy" to deter communist aggression in East Asia by drawing an imaginary defense line from South Korea to South Vietnam. The objective is to prevent the further expansion of communist influence in the region that would inevitably threaten U.S. interests. Moreover, since both Taiwan and Japan need to rely on external trade for their economies to prosper, the free and undisturbed air and sea transportation, both to and from the region, is critical to the fundamental health of their economies. According to official estimates, there are over 600 million tons of goods and products shipped through the Taiwan Strait daily. Any kind of tension in the region would thus invariably affect the accessibility of this passageway which, in essence, serves as the lifeline to the region's overall economic health. It is therefore the unavoidable responsibility of everyone in the region to keep the area free of military threats or conflicts. Given the special circumstances surrounding its international status, Taiwan is keenly aware of its obligations to its neighbors and friends. Foremost among them is the cooperative effort in maintaining regional peace and stability. With the end of Cold War, prospects for a full-scale global conflict has become increasingly remote. Regional instability may, however, tilt the existing balance of power and conceivably set off military conflicts. When this happens, any military confrontation would inflict severe adverse consequences for countries that may be involuntarily drag into the situation. As such, Taiwan is prepared to fulfill its international obligation in the deterrence of military conflicts and the prevention of regional instability from affecting its neighbors and friends.
On the other hand, Taiwan's international status is confounded by its uncertain relations with the PRC. Since the missile testing in and around the Taiwan Strait in 1996, there has been little progress in bilateral dialogue between Beijing and Taipei. As the first and only elected Governor of Taiwan Province, I have traveled extensively throughout the island and met people from all walks of life. From the meetings and conversations with them, I have discovered two universal sentiments among the people of Taiwan:
(1) No one in Taiwan wants to live under communism; and
(2) No one in Taiwan wants a war with the PRC.
Indeed, most of us on Taiwan share a common sentiment that Taiwan cannot even afford to win a war, and the best defense against war is the deterrence of war. Indeed, the best strategy for Taiwan is to deter war with the collective will of the people to defend their freedom and the democratic institutions. Furthermore, Taiwan should restrain itself from undertaking any provocative measure that could potentially create regional tension, and worse yet, drag its friends and neighbors into military conflict involuntarily. In short, Taiwan needs to adhere to international laws and conventions as guidelines for future conduct externally. I am confident that, with the maintenance of status quo and incremental steps towards constructive dialogue with the PRC, Taiwan is prepared and ready to assume international and regional responsibilities commensurate with its economic strength and strategic importance. In sum, because of its strategic location and the need to keep regional transportation free from any disturbance, Taiwan's continued viability would be in accordance with the vested interests of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the United States and Japan. If Taiwan's well being is threatened, the subsequent impact could bring serious adverse effects onto other regional actors.
In his book on the changes in international political order, entitled "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order," Professor Samuel P. Huntington succinctly stated that," Cultural commonalties and differences shape the interests, antagonisms, and associations of states…The local conflicts most likely to escalate into broader wars are those between groups and states from different civilizations." As we approach the next century, many uncertainties remain over the new international order, or code of conduct among nations. If Professor Huntington's theory proves to be correct, countries with common cultural background and shared values are more likely to develop uniformed positions and associated interests on important issues. Such should be the case for Taiwan and Japan in the 21st century, sharing a common vision based on cultural affinity and geographic proximity to each other. Indeed, Taiwan and Japan share many things in common. From the emphasis on education and teamwork to the intimate economic and geopolitical ties, Taiwan and Japan should, and must, cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner to achieve the greatest gains for both. In many ways, Taiwan can serve as a buffer for Japan in its relations with other regional actors, particularly the United States and the PRC. Taiwan's role as a buffer could help ease tension, both in time and geography, caused by frictions from issues like trade and military capability. Conversely, Japan can act as Taiwan's partner on important regional and international policies, thus ensuring a concerted effort from both to achieve the desired result. As a buffer, Taiwan must refrain from committing acts that could be considered provocative or de-stabilizing for the East Asian region. In turn, as Taiwan's partner, Japan should provide the suggestive guidance needed in re-vitalizing the economic performance of the East Asian region and transmitting the "Asian values" which proved successful to its socioeconomic development. Through this undertaking, Japan can seek an international stature in accordance with its economic strength. Indeed, following the footsteps of pioneering philosophers like Natsume Soseki, Nitobe Inazou, and Fukuzawa Yukichi, Japan should be prepared to incorporate a more international orientation and to assume a leading role in the efforts at transmitting the region's shared values and beliefs in the years ahead.
Fellow alumni, the education that we received from Berkeley not only has enriched our souls and minds, but also broadened our vision and perspective. Moreover, that shared "Berkeley experience" will enable us to develop a foundation upon which we could combine our collective wisdom in building a common future between Taiwan and Japan. Tonight, as we are gathered here in commemoration of the proud traditions of our alma mater, let us remind ourselves of our school motto, "Let there be light!" by making a commitment to seek consensuses from our commonalties, not from our differences. Without a doubt, the future rests in our hands. If we allow our shared values and beliefs to dictate the course of development for Taiwan and Japan, the prospects are bright for building and sharing a common future with our peoples in the next century. Thank you very much, and good night.
