Scores of "pan-blue camp" luminaries yesterday paid homage to former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國, 1978-1988)) to mark the 15th anniversary of his death.
Leading pan-blue figures came to pay their respect to Chiang at his mausoleum in Touliao, Taoyuan.
PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) arrived on his own at approximately 6:30am and took part in a commemorative ritual. Another round of similar commemorative rituals was participated in by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who arrived half an hour later than Soong did.
Naturally, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) was not absent. Lien showed up at approximately 10am and proceeded to lead a team of high-ranking KMT members -- such as KMT Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) and KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) -- through another round of commemorative rituals.
In their speeches at the commemorative event, both Soong and Lien didn't waste any time to criticize the DPP administration by painting the performance of the DPP administration as inferior to that of Chiang's.
"President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) asked people not to write him off. Yet what he [Chen] does not realize is that it is the people's hope that Chen will not write them off," Soong told reporters.
Soong was referring to Chen's statement at an administrative-reform seminar held last weekend. In his closing remarks at the event, Chen urged the public not to write him off because the past has showed how he succeeded even when his chances were believed to be poor.
Lien echoed Soong's remarks.
"The nation is currently in dire straits," said Lien when asked to give his opinion on the 15th anniversary of Chiang's death. "And that has made everyone miss the time of Chiang's leadership even more."
"As I've mentioned before," Lien added, "the days under Chiang's leadership were times when people were full of hope," he said of a time when Taiwan was being polluted at an unprecedented rate and all government policy was geared toward the grand strategic goal of "taking China back."
Former Premier Hau Pei-tsun (郝柏村) was also among the many visitors who paid tribute to Chiang yesterday.
KMT Legislator John Chang (章孝嚴) also showed up at Chiang's mausoleum to pay respect to his father. As Chiang's illegitimate son, Chang had only recently been successful in putting his father's name on his ID card last month and thus he is now officially a member of the Chiang family.
"This event is of great significance to me because it is the first time that I have paid my respects to the late president as a member of the Chiang family," said Chang. "I am forever proud to be a member of Chiang's family."
Chang said he came to pay tribute to his father with only one wish. "I hope that the pan-blue camp will unite and successfully cooperate to fight a good fight in the 2004 presidential election."
Accompanied by Chiang Fang Chih-yi (蔣方智怡), widow of Chang's half-brother Chiang Hsiao-yung (蔣孝勇), Chiang's widow and former first lady, Faina Vakhreva (蔣方良), made a rare public appearance yesterday.
She arrived in a wheelchair and looked very tired. With the assistance of her aides, she took the stand and took three bows before a photo portrait of her husband. She made no speeches during the brief visit.
On her behalf, Chiang Fang Chih-yi, expressed her gratitude to everybody there for their care and support.
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