Taiwan The End of a Dynasty

Monday, Jan. 25, 1988 By WILLIAM R. DOERNER
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The announcement signaled the end of one of the century's longest-running political dynasties, a father-to-son reign that lasted more than six decades but also saw its dominion shrink from the world's most populous nation to a ( small island off the mainland of China. Shortly after 8 p.m. last Wednesday, programming on Taiwan's government-owned television and radio stations was suddenly interrupted. Premier Yu Kuo-hwa was shown addressing the central standing committee of the ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist Party). Speaking in somber, measured tones, he announced that President Chiang Ching-kuo, 77, son of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, had died of heart failure in Taipei, the capital. A few minutes later, Vice President Lee Teng-hui, already sworn in as Chiang's successor, called on his fellow citizens to "unite together and fulfill the mission that Mr. Chiang was unable to finish."

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Lee was doubtless making a pro forma reference to the old dream of reunifying China under Nationalist rule. But his observation applied equally to a more realistic mission that has been largely attained: transforming Taiwan from an impoverished paddyland backwater into a prosperous modern society. Today the island nation is a midsize economic powerhouse that produces the world's eleventh largest volume of exports.

Yet that proud accomplishment, along with almost everything else in Taiwanese life, is overshadowed by the pivotal question of the country's future relations with the mainland Communist regime, which still claims the island as a province. Clearly concerned that Taiwan's new leadership may lack Chiang's adamant belief that the island remain a part of China, Beijing's leaders went out of their way to pay tribute to the late President. Communist Party Chief Zhao Ziyang noted approvingly that Chiang "had upheld a 'one- China' policy." Taiwan's geopolitical status is also a matter of concern for Washington, which ceased to recognize Taiwan diplomatically in 1979 but continues to sell arms to the country and to count it as the fifth largest U.S. trading partner. President Reagan sent a personal message of condolence to Taiwan, and Washington praised Chiang as a "respected leader."

Lee's rise to power marked a historic turning point for Taiwan. For the first time since Chiang Kai-shek led his defeated Nationalist troops there in 1949, the Taipei government will be led by one of the native Taiwanese, who make up 80% of the total population of 20 million. Lee, 65, was born to a family of rice and tea farmers on the island's north coast. A devout Presbyterian who speaks English fluently, he was educated in Kyoto, Japan, and earned a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell in 1968. Lee joined the Cabinet as a Minister Without Portfolio in 1972 and later served as Taipei mayor and Taiwan province governor. The new President has no political base, however, and may wind up effectively sharing power with Premier Yu and Kuomintang Secretary-General Lee Huan for the remainder of his term, which runs until 1990. Despite his homegrown roots, Chiang's successor is no advocate of declaring a permanently independent Taiwan, a step Beijing has warned would provoke it to military action.