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Dear Brother Ching-kuo,
No one ever expected that a strip of water should have become so vast a distance. It is now 36 years since our brief rendezvous in Nanjing. From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory. But it's unfortunate that we haven't heard from each other for so many years. Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much concern. Men in their 70s are often afflicted with illness. I sincerely hope that you will take good care of yourself.
Over the past three years, our Party has repeatedly proposed talks with yours to bury the hatchet and work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification. But you have time and again announced that there should be "no contact, no talks and no compromise," which I think is inadvisable. Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted for generations, I regard itas my duty to offer some advice which I hope you will consider carefully.
The peaceful reunification of the motherland would be a great achievement to be recorded in history. Taiwan is bound to return to the embrace of the motherland eventually. An early settlement would be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan would be able to live in peace and hap-piness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan Straits would no longer have to endure the pains of separation from their kith and kin, and the elders in Taiwan and those who have moved there from the mainland would all be properly placed and provided for. And this would contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to world peace. You used to spur yourself on with theaxiom: "The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last for ever." If the great cause of reunification would be accomplished through your work, you will certainly win theesteem of the nation and the praise of all. You would be doing a meritorious service to the country and your name would be inscribed in the temple of fame. It is preposterous to regard such a service as a "guilt." After all, putting up in that tight eastern corner is not a long-term solution. This is of course quite clear for a man as intelligent as you. Hesitation, procrastination or leaving the problem to other days would only lead to difficulty and distress and you, my brother, would hardly be able to escape the blame. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. Those outsiders who talk glibly about it have designs on our Taiwan.This is common knowledge. When a decision needs to be made, irresolution is bound to bring trouble. I hope you will consider this carefully.
The Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave upon wave and laid down their lives for the cause. History has recorded this as a glorious contribution. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice co-operated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the firstround of co-operation, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we were still young at that time. The second co-operation proceeded with your father in the chair and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Though the matter was as complicated as could be, an all-round view of the situation would show that co-operation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them. Since you are presiding over the administration of Taiwan, you have unshirkable responsibility for the realization of co-operation for the third time. It would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well. I find it really hard forme to subscribe to those views which describe co-operation as "surrender," "humiliating," "suffering losses" or "being duped." In reviewing history or looking forward to the future, one should bear in mind the public interest, the interests of the country and the nation, and use this as the supreme criterion, instead of basing oneself on a party's selfish interests. Such talks as "reunifying China with the Three People's Principles" are regarded by all sensible people as unrealistic, deceptive and self-deceiving. People of our generation know the true meaning of the Three People's Principles quite well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as Taiwan's "economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood," the truth of which the venerable gentlemen in Taiwan know clearly. For the sake of your party, I would think that if you would take up the historical responsibility and resolutely take part in peace talks to accomplish national reunification as required by time and tide, the two Parties would be ableto coexist for a long time to come, supervising each other while joining in the glorious effort to revitalize China. Otherwise how could the situation existing in that small corner be main-tained for long? This is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds. It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again.
I recently read one of your writings in which you expressed "fervent hopes that my father's soul would be able to return to the homeland and be reunited with the forefathers." I was overwhelmed with emotion when I read this. The remains of your father are still placed temporarily at Cihu. After reunification, they should be moved back and buried in the native soil - in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan - in fulfilment of your filial wishes. You recently said, "filial devotion should be expanded into national devotion, which means love of the nation and dedication to the country." This is an excellent statement. Why don't you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history; as far as you yourselfare concerned, this would be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Otherwise how could you account for yourself after your passing away? It is hoped that you would think more about it.
Dear brother! Your life has been marked by frustrations, which should not be attributed to fate. Everything depends on yourself. The good and ill to be judged in the next thousand years hinges on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night is fraught with dreams; time does not wait for us. I hope you, my brother, would be good at making the choice and repair the house before it rains. "Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?"
The longing for old friends grows with age. If it is convenient to you, I would pack and set out for a visit to Taibei to seek enlightenment from our elders. "For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished." When I look towards the distant southern sky, my heart is already there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will takegood care of yourself. I am waiting impatiently for a reply.
Please convey my regards to your mother as well as to Fang-liang, Wei-kuo and the children.
Best wishes to you,
Liao Chengzhi


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