Chiang Ching-kuo, Former President (1910-1988) 
 
 
Chiang Ching-kuo, eldest son of the late President Chiang Kai-shek, was born on March 18, 1910, in Fenghua, Chekiang.

Earlier in his public service career, Chiang served as chairman of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen (1957-1964), minister of national defense (1965-69), and vice-premier and concurrently chairman of the Council for International Economic Cooperation and Development (1969-72), among others. He was appointed premier in 1972. Under his able leadership, the government successively undertook the Ten Major Construction Projects and the Twelve New Development Projects. The success of these projects contributed to the achievement of the world-acclaimed "Taiwan miracle" which brings prosperity and affluence to the people of Taiwan.

In 1978 Chiang was elected by the National Assembly as the sixth-term president of this country. In 1984 he was reelected to a second term. During this term, he not only launched the Fourteen Major Construction Projects but also actively carried out political reforms. The Emergency Decree which activated martial law was lifted in the Taiwan area on July 15, 1987. Then a series of major political innovations followed, including the opening of new newspaper registrations and granting permission to organize new political parties, thereby paving the way for Taiwan's current political democracy. In November 1987, travel by Taiwan residents to visit their relatives on the Chinese mainland was opened, turning a new page in the relations across the Taiwan Straits. Because of his selfless and untiring dedication to the country, Chiang was respected by Chinese people at home and abroad. Having suffered many years from the effects of diabetes, Chiang died of heart failure and hemorrhage on January 13, 1988, in Taipei at the age of 78.