▲2002.08
On pages 331 and 332 of Documentary Collection on the Lei Chen Case in Selective Archives of the Ministry of National Defense, published by Adacemia Historica, it is clearly recorded that during a meeting to discuss the Lei Chen case at the Office of the President on October 8, 1960, President Chiang Kai-shek ordered that “Lei Chen’s prison term must be no shorter than ten years” and that “a renewed sentence must not overturn the initial verdict.” Clearly, Chiang Kai-shek interfered with the judiciary and the verdict was meted out without a fair trial.
▲2001.05.18
President Chen at the Ministry of National Defense’s briefing on findings from its investigation of existing materials on Lei Chen (1897-1979), a pioneer of democracy in Taiwan. In his address, the President said that our history comes to us through documentary files, personal accounts from individuals, and the observations and critiques of past thinkers. It follows that by investigating the existing materials on Lei Chen, our nation has documented history for future readers.
▲2004.07.14
President Chen attended the first concert organized by the government to commemorate the political victims during the era of martial law and to mark the second presentation of “reputation-restoring” certificates to their family members. This event not only demonstrated the government’s courage in facing history but also its realization of “a nation built upon human rights principles.”
▲2005.07.28
President Chen planted a phoenix tree on Dongsha Island in the hope that the wind-and-drought resistant evergreen will add a touch of green to the island.
Deeply Cultivating Taiwan, Deploying Globally
▲2007.04.07
During his visit to the central Taiwan international airport and Taichung’s
Shueinan Airport, President Chen instructed that relocating the latter to Cingcyuangang Airport is just the first step of the long-term plans for the central Taiwan airport. The ultimate goal is to connect central Taiwan with the rest of Taiwan and with the world, he noted. This picture shows President Chen exchanging views with Premier Su and Mayor Hu of Taichung.
▲2004.03.05
President Chen attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the inauguration of the first phase construction of the central Taiwan international airport and the airport’s first
international charter flight. He lauded the construction team for its high efficiency.
▲2005.07.29
President Chen attended the 2nd anniversary celebrations of the Central Taiwan Science Park. He stated that within only two years, the Park has witnessed a remarkable development and that embodies the country’s economic strategy of “deeply cultivating Taiwan while reaching out to the world.”
▲2007.03.15
It took only ten months and five days from the Central Taiwan Science Park’s initiation to ground breaking. President Chen attended an unveiling ceremony for the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration Office, which was set up under his instruction, and promised that the government will give full support to companies in the Park.
▲2004.08.16
With the Taiwan High Speed Rail constantly in his mind, President Chen has inspected the THSR construction sites for seven times. He stressed that the THSR project permits no failure, but only success. The picture shows President Chen inspecting the THSR Yencao Terminal.
▲2007.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail has train coaches in orange and white, with white symbolizing purity while orange denotes auspiciousness. Convenient and comfortable, Taiwan High Speed Rail brings the entire island within the reach of one day’s travel.
▲2003.07.17
Concerned about the construction of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, President Chen attended a rail-laying ceremony for the system and expressed gratitude for the contributions and hard work by the whole construction team.
▲2007.01.01
After over six years of construction, the Taiwan High Speed Rail started its business operation on New Year’s Day, 2007. President Chen took the first train from Banciao Station in Taipei County to Wurih Station in Taichung, where he presided over a plaque presentation ceremony for THSR’s first train. The president said that the inauguration of the high speed rail system not only shortens distance on Taiwan, but also will help rejuvenate the economy.
▲2007.01.01
After over six years of construction, the Taiwan High Speed Rail started its business operation on New Year’s Day, 2007. President Chen took the first train from Banciao Station in Taipei County to Wurih Station in Taichung, where he presided over a plaque presentation ceremony for THSR’s first train. The president said that the inauguration of the high speed rail system not only shortens distance on Taiwan, but also will help rejuvenate the economy.
▲2006.12.02
The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System not only shortens distance within the city, but also enhances its international image. As its routes extend, the KMRT system will help boost southern Taiwan’s economy and the development of its urban and rural areas. President Chen especially went to Kaohsiung for a test-ride.
▲2006.12.02
The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System not only shortens distance within the city, but also enhances its international image. As its routes extend, the KMRT system will help boost southern Taiwan’s economy and the development of its urban and rural areas. President Chen especially went to Kaohsiung for a test-ride.
▲2006.09.23
Upon completion of the Yuanshanzih Flood Diversion Project, President Chen travelled to the construction site to understand the operation process and listened to opinions from local people.
▲2003.12.01
To address the long-standing flood problems with the Keelung River, the Yuanshanzih Flood Diversion Project was speedily completed within just over one year. During construction, President Chen inspected the progress several times, and in this picture he presides over a ceremony marking the completion of drilling on the flood-diversion tunnel.
▲2003.10.20
The Hsuehshan Tunnel on the Taipei-Yilan Highway is the longest in Southeast Asia and the fifth longest in the world. President Chen presided over a ceremony marking the completion of drilling on the Hsuehshan pilot tunnel and praised the hard work and efforts of the construction team over the past 13 years.
▲2005.08.27
On his inspection tour to the Taipei-Yilan Highway’s Hsuehshan Tunnel, President Chen indicated that the inauguration of the highway will shorten travel time between Taipei and Yilan from 2 hours to 40 minutes. He added that it will effectively extend the western highway network to eastern Taiwan and thus incorporate Yilan into the greater metropolitan area of Taipei.
▲2005.08.27
On his inspection tour to the Taipei-Yilan Highway’s Hsuehshan Tunnel, President Chen indicated that the inauguration of the highway will shorten travel time between Taipei and Yilan from 2 hours to 40 minutes. He added that it will effectively extend the western highway network to eastern Taiwan and thus incorporate Yilan into the greater metropolitan area of Taipei.
▲2006.11.23
President Chen inspected the Kaohsiung Multifunctional Commerce and Trade Park. After completion, the Park will be able to handle 40% of the three million transfer containers shipped to the Port of Kaohsiung each year. The shipments will be processed in the hinterland of Kaohsiung to raise their added values before they are re-exported. This initiative is expected to attract investment from local and multinational enterprises.
▲2006.08.17
協鴻公司擁有全台灣機型最齊全的產品生產線,是台灣最大的加工中心機械製造廠,總統參觀後深具信心的表示,只要根留台灣、投資台灣,不必投資大陸,也能賺大錢。
She Hong Industrial Co., Ltd. (Hartford), the biggest manufacturer of machine tools in Taiwan, owns the most complete production lines in the country. After visiting the company, President Chen said he has confidence that by keeping their roots and making investments in Taiwan, local businesses can also make great profits, not necessarily investing in China.
▲2006.12.05
During a visit to the Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Group, President Chen stressed that in the era of knowledge-based economy, international capital flows fast and businesses must connect and integrate themselves with the world. He said his government, with an open attitude, welcomes investments from both at home and abroad, as long as businesses are willing to keep their roots and increase investments in Taiwan.
▲2007.03.22
Based in Taiwan, China Steel is the best performing state-run enterprise. Following its privatization, the company has played a leading role in the traditional industry, and has actively participated in many important construction projects in Taiwan, which demonstrates its recognition of this land. In this picture, President Chen attends the inaugural ceremony of China Steel’s second hot-dip galvanizing line.
▲2007.04.12
One in five sneakers across the world comes from the Pou Chen Group. President Chen visited Pou Chen’s Nike R&D center, and praised the company’s philosophy of “staying rooted in Taiwan while striving for the best of the world.”
▲2006.08.25
Horizon Yachts is currently the biggest yacht-maker in Taiwan and sixth largest in the world. During his visit to the company, President Chen acknowledged the company’s commitment to investing in Kaohsiung and its confidence in Taiwan. He also expressed his hope that through providing local yacht manufacturers with a sound environment, the industry will have more competitiveness internationally.
▲2007.03.01
President Chen visited Wufeng Township to examine the spring rice crop and talk with farmers. Under the hot sun, the president said he wanted to roll up his sleeves and pants, and plant rice seedlings in the paddies alongside farmers. Plunging his feet into the muddy paddies certainly brought back happy memories from his youth.
▲2007.01.01
President Chen is among the first to view the damage to places around Taiwan after natural disasters. For him, Taiwan and her people are always what he holds most dear. The president wants to do his utmost in cherishing this land and her people. The picture shows President Chen viewing from a helicopter the damage along the Kaoping Coast after an earthquake.
▲2007.01.26
The preparatory conference for the Global Forum on New Democracies brought together current and former leaders from Taiwan, El Salvador, South Korea, Mongolia, Poland and South Africa. President Chen is shown absorbed in the meetings and concentrating on directing the discussions, helping Taiwan make a name for itself.
▲2006.06.10
Bad weather has never stopped President Chen. He puts on a rain poncho, which he can quickly put on and take off, making it easy for him to move around and alleviating the need for umbrellas. The president then can lead the way and quickly get an idea of the damage. The picture shows President Chen inspecting water pumps at Niaosong in Shueilin Township of Yunlin County.
▲2005.07.17
As Typhoon Haitang swept through Taiwan, President Chen visited the Central Disaster Emergency Operation Center and received a briefing on the damage caused by the storm. The president is deeply concerned about the situation and makes sure that the assessment of damage, decision making, and all preparations are in order to reduce the loss of property and life to a minimum.
President Chen's Address to the 2004 Democratic Pacific Assembly
http://english.president.gov.tw/Default....&rmid=2355
The New York Times Interview with President Chen Shui-bian
http://english.president.gov.tw/Default....&rmid=2355